Sir Patrick Stewart, known as Star Trek’s Captain Picard and X-Men’s Professor X, has died aged 86 at his Los Angeles home, his spokesperson has confirmed.

Published 30 Oct 2026, 17:18 GMT

2 min read

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Stewart Patrick — Veteran actor Sir Patrick Stewart.

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Veteran British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise, has died aged 86.

Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed.

Novak said he died following “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia”. The two conditions are progressive brain disorders that can affect memory, thinking, and other mental abilities.

Born in England, Stewart built a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, earning international recognition for his performances on stage, television, and film. His portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired from 1987 to 1994, made him a familiar face to audiences around the world.

He later gained another generation of fans through his role as Professor Charles Xavier, the leader and mentor of the X-Men, appearing in several films in the popular franchise.

Beyond his success in Hollywood, Stewart was also a respected stage actor with a strong background in classical theatre. He spent nearly two decades with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he performed in several Shakespearean productions, including Hamlet and Macbeth.

His contributions to theatre earned him three Olivier Awards, while his recording of Peter and the Wolf won him a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Spoken Word Album.

Sir Ian McKellen, who shared a close friendship with Stewart, also expressed his sadness, remembering him as a man whose honesty and warmth made him someone to admire and love.

Stewart continued working well into his 80s and was set to reprise his role as Professor Charles Xavier in Marvel’s upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, in what is expected to be one of his final screen appearances.

From Shakespearean productions to some of Hollywood’s most recognised science-fiction franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart leaves behind a body of work that will continue to be remembered by fans around the world.

Sir Patrick Stewart, known as Captain Picard and Professor X, dies at 86

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