Veteran British actor Sir Ian McKellen has led tributes to his longtime friend and fellow performer Sir Patrick Stewart, who died at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, according to a statement from his representative. The announcement said he was surrounded by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and family members during his final moments.
In a tribute shared on social media on Thursday, McKellen remembered Stewart as a proud Yorkshireman whose honesty and openness made him someone people could depend on. He described his friend as “a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love”.
The two actors first met through the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1970s and developed a close friendship that lasted for decades. Their professional partnership later reached a global audience through the X-Men film franchise, in which Stewart played Professor Charles Xavier while McKellen portrayed Magneto.
McKellen also recalled advising Stewart to think carefully before accepting the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, fearing that the science-fiction series could take him away from his British theatre career. Stewart accepted the role and became internationally recognised, while continuing to perform in major stage productions.
Tributes have also come from other colleagues and collaborators. Star Trek actor William Shatner praised Stewart’s intelligence, grace and humanity, while X-Men co-star Hugh Jackman described him as one of the greats of stage and screen and a tremendous friend. Marvel Studios also honoured his contribution to the franchise.
Stewart’s career spanned more than six decades, encompassing Shakespearean theatre, television and major film productions. His final film appearance is expected to be in Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in December 2026.