Ian McKellen leads tributes to Patrick Stewart after actor’s death at 86
publishers 47articles 49first reported 30 Oct, 01:30 UTCdeveloping since 30 Oct · 3 editions
Ian McKellen has paid tribute to his longtime friend and fellow actor Patrick Stewart, who died from Alzheimer’s disease at his Los Angeles home on October 28. He was 86.
McKellen, who appeared with Stewart in the *X-Men* films, described him in a social media post as “the most respected and beloved actor of his generation” and “a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”
The two first met about 50 years ago as young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company. McKellen recalled later cautioning Stewart against accepting the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*, fearing that Hollywood could disrupt his British stage career. Stewart took the role and became internationally known through *Star Trek*, while continuing to perform major classical works in Britain and on Broadway.
McKellen said Stewart remained closely connected to his Yorkshire origins despite making the United States his adopted home, citing his appointment as chancellor of the University of Huddersfield as a particularly proud achievement.
Other actors also remembered Stewart. Harriet Walter told BBC Newsnight that she could not imagine the world without him, while William Shatner called him “a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor.” *Star Trek: The Next Generation* co-star LeVar Burton described Stewart as “family.”
Stewart’s final film, *Avengers: Doomsday*, is due for release in December.
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