Sir Ian McKellen leads tributes to Sir Patrick Stewart after death at 86

Sir Patrick Stewart has died at the age of 86, prompting tributes from fellow actors including Sir Ian McKellen.

The veteran British actor passed away at his home in Los Angeles following a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia, his family announced on Thursday.

Sir Ian McKellen, Stewart’s co‑star in the X‑Men films, described him as “the most respected and beloved actor of his generation”, adding that Stewart “wore his heart on his sleeve”.

Star Trek co‑stars also paid homage. William Shatner said Stewart brought “intelligence, grace and a deep sense of humanity” to his roles, while George Takei noted that Stewart “inspired a whole next generation of star‑gazers”.

Hugh Jackman, who worked with Stewart in the X‑Men franchise, called him a “tremendous friend and man” and mourned the loss of “one of the greats of stage and screen”.

McKellen recalled meeting Stewart in the Royal Shakespeare Company, highlighting Stewart’s Yorkshire roots and his later appointment as chancellor of Huddersfield University. He also noted Stewart’s final film role will be as Professor X in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

Stewart is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and two adult children, Daniel and Sophie, from his first marriage.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Photographer Gyanu / Pexels.