Patrick Stewart and Walter Koenig, stars of ‘Star Trek,’ die days apart

Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed British actor who played Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films, has died at 86. His death came days after Walter Koenig, who portrayed navigator Pavel Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series and seven films, died at 90.

Stewart died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home following what his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, described as “a brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. His diagnoses had not previously been disclosed. A statement said he was surrounded by family and friends.

A longtime member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stewart was an established stage actor before being cast as Picard in 1987. He led “The Next Generation” for seven seasons, reprised the role in four films and returned for the series “Star Trek: Picard,” which ran from 2020 to 2023. He also appeared as Xavier in multiple “X-Men” films.

Koenig died earlier in the week at his North Hollywood home, surrounded by his daughter and niece, according to his agent, Zachery McGinnis. Koenig joined the original “Star Trek” in its second season, appearing in 36 episodes from 1967 to 1969, and later played Chekov in the franchise’s first seven feature films. He also worked as a writer, teacher and convention guest, and had a recurring role as Alfred Bester on “Babylon 5.”

Co-stars including William Shatner, George Takei and Hugh Jackman paid tribute to the actors.