Legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, whose remarkable career brought some of television and cinema’s most recognisable characters to life, has died at the age of 86, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, following what his family described as a brief journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
The news was announced through a statement shared on his social media accounts by his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak. He was surrounded by his wife, Sunny Ozell, family and friends at the time of his death.
The statement described his final moments as being filled with music, prayer, laughter and the company of those closest to him.
A career that crossed generations
For millions of viewers around the world, Stewart will always be remembered as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
He first took on the role in 1987, leading the crew of the USS Enterprise through seven seasons of the popular science-fiction series. His portrayal made him an internationally recognised television star and established one of the franchise’s most enduring characters.
He later returned to the role in the television series Star Trek: Picard, which ran for three seasons from 2020.
Another generation of moviegoers came to know Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise. His portrayal of the powerful mutant leader, beginning with the 2000 film, became another defining part of his acting career.
However, his achievements extended well beyond Hollywood.
From Shakespearean theatre to international fame
Before becoming a familiar face on television and in blockbuster films, Stewart had already established himself as a respected stage actor.
He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s, performing in numerous theatrical productions and building a reputation through his work in classical theatre.
His performances included Shakespearean productions such as Hamlet, Macbeth and The Tempest. He also appeared in Broadway productions, demonstrating a versatility that carried across theatre, television and film.
In recognition of his contribution to drama, Stewart was knighted in 2010.
Tributes follow the actor’s death
News of Stewart’s passing has prompted tributes from across the entertainment industry.
Marvel Studios paid tribute to the actor, recognising the impact of his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier and describing his performance as one that brought extraordinary grace, intelligence and humanity to the character.
His Star Trek colleague William Shatner also remembered Stewart, highlighting the grace and humanity he brought to his work.
Stewart’s influence extended beyond the characters he portrayed, with his career spanning more than six decades across different forms of entertainment.
His legacy lives on
Away from the screen, Stewart was also involved in humanitarian and charitable causes, including advocacy for human rights, survivors of domestic violence, refugees and animal welfare.
He married singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell in 2013. He is survived by his wife and two children, Sophie and Daniel, from his first marriage to Sheila Falconer.
Although audiences will no longer see him take on new roles, his performances as Captain Picard and Professor Xavier remain an important part of his legacy.
For an actor whose work reached audiences across generations, Stewart leaves behind a body of work that stretched from the Shakespearean stage to some of the biggest science-fiction franchises in film and television.
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Picture: Patrick Stewart / Instagram
