British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, has died at the age of 86.

Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles, United States, on Wednesday, October 28, following what his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, described as a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

His death was announced on Thursday in a statement shared through his official social media accounts.

According to the statement, the actor was surrounded by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and loved ones during his final moments.

“He 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,” the statement said.

Born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, Stewart built a career spanning more than six decades, earning recognition for his performances across theatre, film and television.

He became internationally famous for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired from 1987 to 1994. His portrayal of the thoughtful and principled starship captain established him as one of the science fiction franchise’s most recognisable figures. He later reprised his Star Trek role in subsequent productions.

Stewart later reached a new generation of audiences as Professor Charles Xavier, the powerful telepath and mentor to the X-Men, in the superhero film franchise. His appearances in the films helped establish the character as one of the most memorable figures in the series. The franchise also featured Hugh Jackman, who reflected on the end of the Wolverine franchise.

Despite his Hollywood success, Stewart maintained strong ties to the theatre. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for 14 years, performing in productions of several Shakespearean plays, including Hamlet and Macbeth.

His other stage credits included Waiting for Godot, in which he performed alongside fellow actor Ian McKellen. He also appeared in numerous television productions and lent his voice to animated series, including American Dad!.

In recognition of his contribution to drama, Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. His career also earned him multiple honours, including Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award for his narration of Peter and the Wolf.

Beyond acting, Stewart was an advocate for social justice, women’s rights and efforts to combat domestic violence.

He is survived by his wife, Ozell, and his two children, Daniel and Sophia.

His death marks the end of a remarkable career that connected classical theatre with some of modern entertainment’s most enduring screen franchises.