Hugh Jackman and William Shatner Lead Tributes to Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart was mourned on Wednesday by two actors whose careers became closely linked with his: Hugh Jackman and William Shatner.

Jackman, who played Wolverine opposite Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier in several blockbuster X-Men films, shared an emotional tribute to the acclaimed stage and screen actor. Stewart died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home after “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.”

In his message, the 58-year-old Logan star wrote: “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man.

“I learned so much from him,” Jackman continued. “I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days..”

Jackman accompanied the tribute with a touching photograph of Stewart placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder as the pair waited in the wings before taking the stage.

A second image showed the Australian actor wearing a thick beard and embracing Stewart, apparently on the set of Logan.

Shatner, 95, also paid tribute to Stewart, posting a photograph of the two actors smiling as they embraced outdoors.

“What a heartbreaking week it has been,” Shatner began, referring to the death on Sunday of his original Star Trek co-star Walter Koenig, who was 90.

“Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor,” Shatner wrote. “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.

“Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work,” Shatner continued. “My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”

Shatner is best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek television series and the films that followed.

He and Stewart appeared together in 1994’s Star Trek Generations, the first film in the franchise to bring together the cast of Shatner’s original series and Stewart’s Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The box-office hit gave Shatner and other original-series stars the opportunity to pass the torch to Stewart and his fellow Next Generation actors, who went on to lead later Star Trek films even after their television series ended.

Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and American Dad, also honored Stewart with a heartfelt post on X.

Stewart was featured as a recurring character on MacFarlane’s animated series American Dad – on which Stewart’s character was drawn to resemble the real-life star – and he also made multiple voice cameos and guest appearances on MacFarlane’s earlier series, Family Guy. 

‘Patrick was one of those icons who we somehow all took for granted would always be with us,’ MacFarlane wrote. ‘I grew up as a fan, and was later gifted the privilege of becoming a colleague and friend, working with him for many years on American Dad!, Family Guy, and Ted.

‘He was that rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it, making a good writer sound great, and a great writer sound masterful,’ MacFarlane continued. ‘He was also as humble as they come. 

‘I remember exchanging emails with him a number of years ago when he was beginning day 1 of a new film. He commented to me that he always walked onto a new set feeling like the biggest novice there,’ the comedian recalled. ‘My stunned reaction was the same as anyone’s would be. I said, “Patrick, if you feel that way, the rest of us are screwed.” 

‘We have lost a legendary actor today, and for many of us, a good friend. He will be deeply missed by the entire planet,’ MacFarlane concluded.

George Takei, who starred on the original Star Trek series and films, paid tribute to Stewart with a post on Threads. 

‘Fans across the world mourn the passing of a true and irreplaceable legend. As Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Patrick Stewart took the starship Enterprise to places it had never gone before, and he inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity,’ he wrote. ‘Our hearts are heavy, indeed. Rest in the heavens, Captain.’

Jonathan Frakes, Stewart’s Star Trek costar, shared a photo of the late actor to his Instagram Stories and wrote: ‘Rest in peace my friend.’

Rebecca Romijn, who appeared with Stewart on both Star Trek and in the early X-Men films, shared a video of herself paying tribute to the late actor. 

‘What a gift to have been your friend,’ she captioned the clip. ‘Rest in peace, dear Patrick.’

In her video, Romijn confessed: ‘I feel so grateful to have known him for the last 25 years, and to have been in his orbit … both as a fellow mutant and as a fellow member of Starfleet.

‘He was positively delicious, hilarious, naughty, incredible sense of humor, and that booming voice of his that always spoke to the very back of the room, as every classically trained Shakespearean great needs to master, has always been an inspiration,’ she said.

Star Trek’s Wil Wheaton shared a picture of an old photo of himself posing with Stewart in his youth.

‘Godspeed, Captain,’ he captioned it. 

The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, who starred with Stewart in Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Lady Jane, wrote that his ‘heart is seriously heavy today’ after the loss of ‘the marvelous’ Stewart. 

‘I first met Patrick on the set of Lady Jane back in 1984 and fell in love with him immediately,’ Elwes recalled. ‘Not only was he amiable and kind with a great sense of humor, he was incredible to work with. His command of the screen with his sheer presence and that unmistakable voice was a sight to behold. 

‘Almost a decade later when Mel [Brooks] and I were discussing who should play King Richard in Men in Tights, I told him it has to be Patrick,’ Elwes continued. ‘Fortunately for us he accepted and once again shared his joy and talent with us all. 

‘My now shattered heart goes out to Sunny, his children, friends and fans, of which I will always be one. Good night, sweet Prince,’ he concluded.

Dafne Keen, who starred with Stewart in Logan as the mutant Laura/X-23, said it was ‘funny in a kismet kind of way’ that she had learned of Stewart’s death after writing him an email the night before, ‘something I hadn’t done in quite some time.’

‘He was such a kind, genuine, funny, unique, caring and charming man,’ Keen wrote. ‘I remember his endless jokes, nurturing nature and colourful reading glasses. Every single day spent working by his side was an honour and a privilege I can’t quite believe I had. He was a walking master of his craft, and of life. One of the greatest of our time, on stage and on screen.’

The actress admitted that she had ‘always looked up’ to Stewart ‘as an actor and as a man,’ something that she would continue to do.

‘He had a wonderful way of wrapping every ancient lesson he imparted in wonder, fun and excitement. I will always remember his warmth and the respect he showed to everyone around him,’ she wrote. ‘I will forever hold those months we spent together close to my heart, and will always think of him as a pivotal part of how I view the world around me.

‘So rest in peace, you giant, you legend amongst men. The beautiful work, humanity and kindness you leave behind will live on forever,’ Keen concluded.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige remembered Stewart in a statement to Variety.

‘I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men,’ Feige said. ‘After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe – and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas.

‘Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor,’ the producer continued. ‘It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him. His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed.’

Marvel Studios also paid tribute to Stewart in a post on X, writing: ‘All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart.

‘Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from “X-Men” to “Logan” to “Avengers: Doomsday,”‘ the post read. ‘He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.’

The Star Trek franchise also honored its late star on social media, calling him: ‘A voice. A presence. A captain unlike any other. 

‘Sir Patrick Stewart gave generations of fans an icon who inspired us to look toward the stars,’ the post read. ‘Today, we celebrate an extraordinary life and an enduring legacy. Thank you, Sir Patrick.’

In his final moments, Stewart had his ‘beloved’ wife Sunny Ozell by his side, a statement on his Instagram page announced on Wednesday. 

The English star gained international stardom for his leading role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1987 to 1994, a role he reprised in a series of films and Star Trek: Picard from 2020 to 2023.

He also garnered acclaim for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series from 2000 to 2017.

‘He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all,’ the emotional statement announcing his death continued.

‘We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.’

‘His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre.

‘He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise. 

‘His professional accomplishments were humbly matched by his philanthropy and activism on behalf of human rights, survivors of domestic violence, global refugees, veterans’ mental health services, and animal welfare, particularly his cherished foster pitties. 

‘He was a Knight, Chancellor, motor sport enthusiast, and lifelong Huddersfield Football fan. He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role — in his art and life.’

While best known for his roles in blockbuster movies and TV shows, the classically trained stage actor also scaled the Shakespearean canon.

In 1966, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and later made his Broadway theatre debut in 1971 in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

He would go on to win a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Antony and Cleopatra in the West End. 

Besides playing everyone from Claudius to Macbeth, he often performed a one-man rendition of A Christmas Carol and did West End and Broadway runs of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot in repertoire with buddy Ian McKellen. 

Stewart was knighted in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. 

The actor was married three times and is survived by two children. He first wed Sheila Falconer in 1966 and they divorced in 1990 after welcoming son Daniel and daughter Sophia together.

His second wife was Wendy Neuss, one of the producers of Star Trek: The Next Generation. They married in 2000 and divorced three years later.

His third and final marriage was to singer and songwriter Sunny Ozell, 47, whom he wed in 2013.

In a 2015 interview with The Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine, Ozell said the hardest part of their relationship was meeting Stewart’s children from his first marriage.

She said: ‘That was territory I trod on very lightly. I didn’t want to force myself on them but they were very welcoming.’

And she said the age gap was irrelevant. ‘He is so youthful and I guess I’m kind of an old worry wart so we bridge the gap. It doesn’t come up much. He’s in better shape than me, which infuriates me.’

And Stewart said: ‘I remember my 40th birthday vividly and I swear to God it was last week. I have a little bit of arthritis but I don’t feel any different.’

The couple met through a mutual friend in 2008 when American singer-songwriter Ozell was working as a waitress in New York. 

They married in September 2013 on the banks of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in a wedding officiated by Stewart’s best friend and fellow actor Sir Ian McKellen.

McKellen registered as a minister with the Universal Life Church, which celebrates freedom of religion, in order to officiate at Stewart and Ozell’s wedding on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

‘It was an immediate attraction,’ said Stewart of his first time meeting Ozell.

‘When she came over to offer us dessert on the house – because her manager had insisted – we got talking.

‘She very kindly said she wanted to see Macbeth and then I gave her my mobile phone number.’

‘Instinct is everything in a situation like that,’ says Stewart, who had only recently divorced his second wife, Neuss.

‘I felt I was talking to a really nice, intelligent, interesting, gorgeous woman. It’s rare that those elements all come together at the same time.’

Stewart’s illustrious career began at the age of 12. He performed in playhouses across England before making his London theatrical debut in 1966 and touring with the Old Vic company, one of the most selective drama schools in the world. 

He then joined the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 where he made his first Broadway appearance as Snout in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1971 and began his 27-year association with the establishment.

Stewart’s love for Shakespeare was born after he was given The Merchant of Venice by his English teacher Cecil Dormand. 

He told The Guardian in 2021: ‘I barely understood a word but I loved the feel of the words and sounds in my mouth. A 400-year-old writer reached out a hand in invitation to me [and] I felt a sense of an internal, private me being released and connecting with something mysterious, alien and exciting. I was hooked.’

Stewart was extremely grateful to Dormand for ‘saving’ him from his ‘dull, uncomfortable and sometimes scary home life, living with an abusive father,’ by putting Shakespeare into his hands and giving him hope for a better future. 

Dormand encouraged Stewart to pursue acting and even paid for him to have his first formal acting lessons. Stewart remained thankful to Dormand throughout his life, often wondering what his life would have been like if he had not crossed paths with the English teacher.

Stewart continued as a stage actor for the first 25 years of his career, despite landing a few small roles in British and American films from 1973. 

He once said: ‘All I know is that I have to act. It’s a compulsion. I’m driven to it. I wouldn’t say that I would die if it were taken away from me but a large part of me would shrivel up.’ 

International recognition came in 1987 when he secured the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the science-fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). 

He was so convinced that he was going to be fired that he did not unpack his bags for six weeks, saying he didn’t think he would ‘survive beyond the pilot’. 

He said: ‘I thought the producers would come to their senses and realize they’d made a grave error in casting me. Eventually it became clear to me that not only wasn’t I going to go away, the series wasn’t going to go away. I stayed and have relished every moment.’ 

The role brought Stewart an exceptional level of fame with his refined voice and natural gravitas making him a household name and winning him a place at the heart of The Next Generation series. 

He went on to reprise his role as Capt Jean-Luc Picard and starred in a string of successful Star Trek films: Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). 

A proud Yorkshireman and lifelong supporter of Huddersfield Town Football Club, Stewart was born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, on July 13, 1940 to textile worker Gladys Barrowclough and army personnel Alfred Stewart. 

Stewart struggled at school and said he spent much of his childhood being ‘afraid’, with a father who was often violent and abusive. 

Stewart appeared in other films and stage productions including Masterminds, an episode of The Simpsons, and A Christmas Carol, as well as being considered for a role in Doctor Who: The Movie, and the part of Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), which went to Johnny Depp. 

Stewart also used his perfect British diction to comedic effect in cartoon TV shows and lent his voice to several animated movies – Gnomeo and Juliet (2011), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (2013) and The Emoji Movie (2017).

Despite Stewart’s many on screen successes, he never stopped performing Shakespeare on stage. His masterful performance of the title role in Shakespeare’s Macbeth got him a Tony Award nomination. 

In 2008, he took on the role of Claudius in Hamlet and received his third Laurence Olivier Award for his performance and in 2010 he was awarded a knighthood. 

On receiving his knighthood, Stewart called it an ‘honor that embraces those actors, directors and creative teams who have in these recent years helped fill my life with inspiration, companionship and sheer fun’.