Hollywood is mourning Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed actor whose defining roles in the “Star Trek” and “X-Men” franchises made him a global icon. Stewart died at 86, according to an announcement Thursday.
His spokesperson shared the news on social media, saying Stewart died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home after a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Ian McKellen, Stewart’s longtime friend and co-star in the “X-Men” films, remembered the actor in an emotional tribute Thursday, celebrating their decadeslong friendship and shared devotion to the theater.
In a lengthy Instagram post, McKellen recalled meeting Stewart more than 50 years ago when both were young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also reflected on how Stewart’s career expanded after he accepted a role in “Star Trek.”
“But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk—getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?” McKellen recalled asking Stewart at the time.
“Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did,” McKellen wrote, praising Stewart’s achievements in film, television and theater.
McKellen also paid tribute to Stewart’s Yorkshire roots and the personal qualities that made him such a treasured friend.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love,” he wrote.
McKellen ended his message by looking ahead to Stewart’s final film appearance.
“His farewell performance in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is yet to be seen,” he added.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige also honored Stewart, recalling their work together on the “X-Men” films.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men,” Feige said in a statement. “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.”
Feige said Stewart was even more impressive away from the camera, highlighting the actor’s “wonderfully sharp sense of humor.”
“It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him,” Feige continued. “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 and Marvel Entertainment joined the tributes in a joint Instagram post Thursday, remembering Stewart’s portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” franchise, which began in 2000.
“All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart,” the post read.
“He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman,” the post continued. “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.”
Filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo, directors of the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” also remembered Stewart in an Instagram post, reflecting on the opportunity to work with one of their childhood heroes.
“We’ve been lucky enough to work with some of our childhood heroes. And Sir Patrick Stewart will always be one of them,” the brothers wrote.
They described Stewart as “a legendary actor with an unmistakeable [sic] presence, and an unmatched integrity.”
“Thank you for entertaining all of us, sir. And for teaching us humanity, both on and off the screen,” they added.
Wil Wheaton, who starred alongside Stewart in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” also paid tribute to the late actor Thursday.
Wheaton shared a throwback photo of himself with Stewart on Instagram, accompanied by a broken heart emoji and the words, “Godspeed, Captain.”
Jonathan Frakes, who played Cmdr. William Riker alongside Stewart in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” also remembered his longtime co-star.
CHECK THIS OUT: What Locals Really Think of Britain’s ‘Coolest Neighbourhood
Frakes shared a photo of Stewart on his Instagram story Thursday with the message, “Rest in peace my friend.”
Terry Matalas, who served as showrunner of the third and final season of “Star Trek: Picard,” also honored Stewart on his Instagram story.
Sharing a photo of the late actor smiling, Matalas wrote, “Oh Captain, my Captain. This is how I’ll always remember you….”
William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk in the original “Star Trek” series, also remembered Stewart in a heartfelt Instagram post Thursday.
Sharing a photo of the two together, Shatner described Stewart as a friend and colleague whom he deeply admired.
“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.”
Shatner also reflected on Stewart’s portrayal of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, saying the character and the actor behind him represented the best of the franchise. The actors met as Kirk and Picard in 1994 movie “Star Trek: Generations.”
“My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed,” Shatner added.
Hugh Jackman, who starred alongside Stewart in the “X-Men” films, remembered his longtime friend and co-star in an Instagram post Thursday.
“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man,” Jackman wrote alongside photos of the two together. “I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”
In an Instagram post Thursday, writer, actor and filmmaker Seth MacFarlane paid tribute to Stewart, with whom he worked on “Family Guy,” “Ted” and “American Dad!”
Sharing a black-and-white photo of Stewart, MacFarlane recalled the actor’s talent and humility.
“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 wrote.
“We have lost a legendary actor today, and for many of us, a good friend. He will be deeply missed by the entire planet,” he added.
George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series, honored Stewart in a post on his Bluesky account.
“Fans across the world mourn the passing of a true and irreplaceable legend,” Takei wrote. “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.”
“Our hearts are heavy, indeed. Rest in the heavens, Captain,” he added.
Actor Josh Gad also remembered Stewart in an Instagram post Thursday, praising his work across film, television and theater.
“Whether waxing poetic as Jean Luc, sparring at chess with Magneto or ferociously bringing the words of Shakespeare to life on the boards, he was a man for all seasons with a voice that will go down as one of the greatest we’ve ever had,” Gad wrote. “He has boldly gone on indeed. Here’s to the next undiscovered country. Here’s to the next undiscovered country. RIP @sirpatstew.”
The Royal Shakespeare Company, where Stewart spent years performing before finding international fame, also paid tribute to the late actor this week.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of RSC Honorary Associate Artist, Sir Patrick Stewart; a colossus of both stage and screen and one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation,” the company wrote on Instagram.
Stewart joined the company in 1966 and remained a core member until 1982, appearing in numerous Shakespeare productions, including “Macbeth,” “The Merchant of Venice” and “Henry IV,” according to the company.
Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News and “Good Morning America.”
Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures.