Hugh Jackman, Sir Ian McKellen and several of Patrick Stewart's former co-stars have paid tribute to the actor following his death aged 86.
The Star Trek and X-Men star died at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday.
His spokesman, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed that he had been living with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, describing his final illness as a “brief and poignant journey”.
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Among those remembering the actor was Sir Ian McKellen, who shared the screen with Stewart in the X-Men franchise and became a close friend.
McKellen described him as “the most respected and beloved actor of his generation”, sharing a personal tribute to the man he had known for many years.
The pair's friendship extended beyond their work together, with McKellen officiating at Stewart's wedding in 2013. They also appeared on stage together in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in 2009.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and, in my case, love,” McKellen said.
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Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine alongside Stewart's Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, also shared his sadness.
Calling Stewart a “tremendous friend and man”, he said: “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today.”
"I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days."
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The actor's passing has also prompted tributes from the wider Marvel and Star Trek communities.
Marvel Studios said it was deeply saddened by his death, describing him as “a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman”.
William Shatner, who starred as Captain James T Kirk in the original Star Trek series, remembered Stewart for the humanity he brought to his best-known character.
He said Stewart brought “intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did”.
“Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work,” Shatner added.
"I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work. My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed."
George Takei also paid tribute, saying Stewart had “inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity”.
Ricky Gervais, who worked with the actor on the BBC comedy Extras in 2005, simply described him as a “legend”.
Ryan Reynolds also saluted Stewart's goodness: "Talent and kindness that spanned across time, space, and the universes. Travel easy, Sir Patrick."
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Born in Yorkshire in 1940, Stewart first established himself as a respected stage actor after joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966.
His work with the company included performances as King John, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Henry IV.
The Royal Shakespeare Company remembered him as “one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation”, describing him as “a colossus of both stage and screen”.
It added that his contribution to the company was “beyond measure”.
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Although he enjoyed a lengthy career in theatre, film and television, Stewart became a household name around the world through his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
He played the iconic character throughout the series' 1987–1994 run before returning for a number of films and the later spin-off Star Trek: Picard, which aired between 2020 and 2023.
@oscarsThere was something extraordinary about the way Sir Patrick Stewart could make even the most powerful characters feel profoundly human. Whether commanding the bridge of the Enterprise or guiding a generation of young mutants, Sir Patrick Stewart brought a tenderness to his characters that made us feel we knew them. Behind that unmistakable voice was an actor who understood that even the greatest heroes could be uncertain, that strength could exist alongside vulnerability, and that compassion was never a weakness. Over a career spanning more than six decades, his performances became woven into the lives of generations who grew up watching him. As Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Professor Charles Xavier, and so many others, he left us with characters we loved, lessons we carried, and memories we’ll always treasure.♬ original sound - The Oscars
He also earned widespread recognition as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, appearing in films between 2000 and 2017.
His other credits included Dune (1984), Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Safe House, alongside numerous stage performances and appearances on Broadway.
Stewart was also a devoted supporter of Huddersfield Town, the English football club from his native Yorkshire.
The club described him as a “titan of his craft”, saying it was proud to have counted him as one of its own.
“Fiercely proud of his Yorkshire roots, Sir Patrick was a Terrier in every sense, and we're proud to have counted him as one of our own,” it said.
