Patrick Stewart, the British actor known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 'Star Trek' and Professor Charles Xavier in the 'X-Men' films, has died at 86. He passed away in Los Angeles after a brief illness involving Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. His death comes days after the passing of Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original 'Star Trek' series.
Stewart, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, was best known for his role as Picard in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and his portrayal of Xavier in the 'X-Men' films. He also had a long career on stage, performing Shakespeare and other classics. He will appear in the upcoming Marvel film 'Avengers: Doomsday' in December.
Stewart's death marks the end of a career that spanned over five decades, during which he became a prominent figure in both theater and television. He was a respected actor and a patron of charities supporting survivors of domestic abuse. His legacy includes his iconic roles in 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men', as well as his contributions to the arts.
Stewart's death was confirmed by his family and is being mourned by fans and colleagues. He is survived by his wife Sunny and will be laid to rest in Los Angeles. His final film role was in 'Avengers: Doomsday', which is set to release in December.