Sir Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who became a household name as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” has died. He was 86.
Stewart died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his representative said in a statement shared Thursday, according to the Associated Press. He had been living with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. His wife, singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, was with him, according to the statement.
For holiday movie fans, Stewart also brought Ebenezer Scrooge to life in the 1999 television adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The film follows Scrooge’s journey through visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Stewart’s performance drew on the Shakespearean stage work that shaped much of his career.
Stewart’s connection to Dickens’ story began onstage. Starting around 1990, he wrote and performed one-person shows at California universities and acting schools. His solo adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” grew into a full production in which he portrayed more than 40 characters. Stewart took the show to Broadway in 1991, earning a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. He later returned to the story as Scrooge in the 1999 television film.
Stewart played Picard for seven seasons on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” in four films and later in “Star Trek: Picard.” He also became widely known for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films. Before those screen roles, he spent 14 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing in productions including “Hamlet” and “Macbeth.”
