William Shatner has paid tribute to his Star Trek co-star Sir Patrick Stewart, who died on Monday October 26 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 86 following a brief battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Shatner, 95, who played Captain Kirk in the original series, shared an emotional message on X about losing his friend. He described Stewart as "a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor," adding that "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," Shatner wrote, before concluding: "My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed."
Fans share their condolences
Shatner was flooded with support from fans who echoed his sentiments. One comment read: "Sir Patrick once said he deliberately copied your 'Space… the final frontier' delivery syllable for syllable because nothing could improve it. That alone tells you everything about the respect he carried for you and the role. The bridge feels quieter today. Safe travels."
Another fan wrote: "Hit me HARD....This is just devastating. You hit the nail on the head. The humanity. He took it seriously. Heartfelt words from Mr Shatner, I can tell. Sad …sad day." A third added: "I'm so heartbroken Bill! Death is apart of life, but in the words of The Great Captain / Admiral Mr. James Tiberius Kirk 'Oh My'! To all those incredible souls out there, I'm truly sorry for your loss! Please Live Long and Prosper."
Stewart's career and final message
Stewart found US fame playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, which launched in 1987. The pair acted together on the big screen in 1994's Generations, which bridged the gap between the original series and Stewart's show. They also frequently appeared together at events.
His spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak confirmed the news, saying Stewart "has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all." She added: "We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace."
The statement ended with a quote from Stewart's memoir Making It So, referencing his Star Trek character: "Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience. But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the end, he feels the call of home, as do I."
Second Star Trek loss this week
Stewart is the second of Shatner's co-stars to die this week. On Sunday, October 25, Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov in the original series, died aged 90 at his home in North Hollywood, surrounded by his daughter and niece. His representative confirmed he died of natural causes.
"Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world," the statement read, adding: "He passed of old age at home in North Hollywood last night surrounded by his daughter and niece. Best known for his iconic role as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek: The Original Series, Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humour, and adventurous spirit...Thank you, Walter, for the memories, the inspiration, and for boldly going where few have gone before."
