Patrick Stewart, actor known for 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men,' dies at 86

Patrick Stewart, the actor whose roles included Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films, has died at 86, according to reports from ABC-owned stations including ABC7 New York, ABC7 Chicago, ABC11 and ABC13 Houston.

A statement posted to Stewart's social media by his spokesperson said he died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home after a short illness involving Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, the stations reported. The announcement came Thursday. The reports describe the announcement as coming from both his family and his spokesperson.

Stewart had been set to reprise the role of Xavier in "Avengers: Doomsday," scheduled for theatrical release on Dec. 18, according to ABC13 Houston.

Before his screen career, Stewart spent years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The company said he joined in 1966 and stayed a core member until 1982, performing in productions such as "Macbeth," "The Merchant of Venice" and "Henry IV," ABC7 Chicago reported. The company, which named him an honorary associate artist, paid tribute to him on Instagram.

Colleagues from film and television responded on social media Thursday. Hugh Jackman, his "X-Men" co-star, wrote, "We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man," according to ABC7 New York.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recalled meeting Stewart on the set of the first "X-Men" film and praised his humor and his mentoring of others. "It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him," Feige said in a statement reported by ABC11. Marvel Studios and Marvel Entertainment also issued a joint post extending condolences to Stewart's wife, Sunny, and his children. The ABC stations noted that Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

Several "Star Trek" actors also posted tributes. William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk and appeared with Stewart in the 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations," called him a friend and colleague. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" castmates Wil Wheaton and Jonathan Frakes shared photos with brief farewell messages, and George Takei, who played Sulu in the original series, posted on Bluesky. Terry Matalas, showrunner of the final season of "Star Trek: Picard," also shared a message.

Others paying tribute included "Avengers" directors Joe and Anthony Russo, actor Josh Gad, and Seth MacFarlane, who worked with Stewart on "Family Guy," "American Dad!" and "Ted," according to the ABC reports.

Compiled by True News from reporting by ABC13 Houston, ABC7 Chicago, ABC11 and ABC7 New York. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/593