Sir Ian McKellen has paid tribute to Sir Patrick Stewart following his death from Alzheimer's disease, calling him "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation".
Sir Patrick, known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in later Star Trek instalments and Professor X in the X-Men films, died at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday, according to a social media announcement. Sir Ian, a longtime friend, said the actor "was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire".
McKellen's tribute to a lifelong friend
In a statement shared on social media, Sir Ian said: "You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt. Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues. He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love."
Sir Ian recalled advising Sir Patrick against taking science-fiction roles, writing: "'But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?'"
"Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did for not just his devoted Trekkies but film and theatre audiences, who marvelled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes ('X-Men' of course) and in great classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett at Stratford-upon-Avon, in London's West End and on Broadway."
Sir Ian added that Sir Patrick "never forsook his origins: and the proudest achievement of the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic, was his appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire".
Huddersfield Town and fellow actors mourn
Huddersfield Town football club said they were "deeply saddened" by the news. The club posted on X: "All at Huddersfield Town are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong supporter Sir Patrick Stewart. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this sad time."
"A titan of his craft and a legend and hero to millions worldwide, his legacy will live on. 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. Once a Terrier, always a Terrier."
Dame Harriet Walter, a longtime friend who first met Sir Patrick at Stratford-upon-Avon in the early 1980s, told BBC Newsnight she "can't really imagine a world without him". She said: "It's like a huge giant tree has fallen in the forest. I've never heard a bad word against him. And I think the world's going to be very poor without him."
William Shatner, who played Captain James T Kirk in the original 1960s Star Trek series, wrote on social media: "What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor."
"From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he 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. My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed."
Marvel Studios pays tribute
Hugh Jackman, Sir Patrick's X-Men co-star, shared two photographs on Instagram, writing: "We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days."
Marvel Studios, which has held the X-Men rights since 2019, described Sir Patrick as "a true gentleman". In a statement, the studio said: "All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart."
"Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from 'X-Men' to 'Logan' to 'Avengers: Doomsday.'"
"He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art."
Sir Patrick's final film, Avengers: Doomsday, is scheduled for release in December.
