Sir Patrick Stewart, acclaimed actor, dies aged 86

Sir Patrick Stewart, the celebrated actor known for his roles in Star Trek and classical theatre, has died at the age of 86.

Born on 13 July 1940 in Mirfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, Stewart began his career in local amateur drama before winning a scholarship to the Bristol Old Vic and joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. He made his television debut in Coronation Street in 1967 and appeared on Broadway in Peter Brook’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1970.

After moving to the National Theatre in 1984, Stewart took supporting film parts in Excalibur, Dune and Little Lord Fauntleroy. His breakthrough came in 1987 when he was cast as Captain Jean‑Luc Picard in Star Trekk The Next Generation, a role that cemented his global fame.

Honours and legacy

Over a seven‑decade career Stewart earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, multiple acting awards and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. Tributes have described his loss as “a big loss” to the world of drama and science‑fiction alike.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Alena Darmel / Pexels.