'Lost one of the greats': Hugh Jackman and Star Trek family mourn Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart died at his Los Angeles home after living with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. His celebrated career spanned Shakespearean theatre, Star Trek and the X-Men films.Hugh Jackman remembers Patrick Stewart (L), Patrick Stewart during the premiere of Star Trek (R) - Photo: X-Jackman, APNew Delhi,Oct 30, 2026 07:00 ISTFor generations of viewers, Sir Patrick Stewart was the captain who made the vastness of space feel like home and the professor who taught a world of outcasts that their differences could be their greatest strength. Now, as Hollywood comes to terms with the loss of the veteran actor, it is not just his iconic screen characters that are being celebrated but also the warmth, generosity, wit and humanity of the man who brought them to life.Stewart, best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, died on Wednesday, October 28, at his Los Angeles home. He was 86. His spokesperson confirmed that the actor had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, describing his final days as a "brief and poignant journey."News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry. Former co-stars, directors, collaborators and institutions associated with his extraordinary career took to social media to remember an actor whose influence extended far beyond the characters he played.Hugh Jackman remembers his friend and mentorFor Hugh Jackman, who shared the screen with Stewart in the X-Men films, the loss was deeply personal. The actor, who played Wolverine opposite Stewart's Professor X, shared photographs from their time together, including moments from the sets of Logan. "We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days," Jackman wrote.Marvel Studios, too, paid homage to the actor whose portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier became one of the defining performances of its superhero universe. "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," the studio said in a statement.It also remembered him as a "singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman", extending its condolences to his wife Sunny, his children, friends and fans.Marvel president Kevin Feige recalled his first encounter with Stewart on the sets of the original X-Men film. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Feige said that while he had already admired the actor as Captain Picard, meeting him in person only deepened that admiration.He remembered Stewart as brilliant, charming, warm and generous, adding that his legacy would endure not only through his performances but also through the many people he mentored.The Star Trek family bids farewell to Captain PicardIf Jackman remembered a friend, actor William Shatner remembered a fellow captain and a colleague whose contribution to the Star Trek universe was immeasurable.Shatner, who played Captain James T Kirk in the original series, shared a photograph with Stewart and penned an emotional note."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," he wrote.Shatner added that he had always felt affection and admiration for Stewart and his work.Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander William Riker alongside Stewart's Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, kept his farewell brief but personal. "Rest in peace my friend," he wrote.George Takei, another familiar face from the Star Trek universe, remembered the actor for the hope and optimism he brought to the franchise. He noted how Stewart's portrayal of Captain Picard inspired generations of viewers to look towards a brighter future for humanity, signing off with an emotional farewell to the captain.Wilson Cruz, who appeared in Star Trek: Discovery, also expressed his devastation over the news.Patrick Stewart's X-Men family remembers his kindnessStewart's contribution to the X-Men universe was not limited to his commanding portrayal of Professor X. For his younger co-stars, working alongside him was an experience that left a lasting impression.Dafne Keen, who played Laura in Logan, shared an especially personal tribute. She recalled that she had been drafting an email to Stewart shortly before learning of his death, making the news all the more difficult to process. Keen remembered his humour, his kindness and the way he made people around him feel valued. She also fondly recalled his colourful reading glasses and the jokes he would crack on set.Describing him as a master of his craft, she said that working alongside him had been an honour and a privilege. She credited his warmth and the lessons he shared with shaping the way she viewed both acting and life.Rebecca Romijn, who worked with Stewart in both X-Men and Star Trek, shared a video message with a heartfelt caption: "What a gift to have been your friend. Rest in peace, dear Patrick."The Russo Brothers, who worked with Stewart on Avengers: Doomsday, also remembered him as one of the actors they had grown up admiring.Sharing a still featuring Stewart, the filmmaking duo wrote that they had been fortunate to work with some of their childhood heroes, describing the late actor as a performer with an unmistakable presence and exceptional integrity. They thanked him for entertaining audiences and, more importantly, for teaching them about humanity both on and off-screen.Seth MacFarlane remembers the actor who made every line betterSeth MacFarlane, who collaborated with Stewart on projects including Family Guy, American Dad!, Ted and Blunt Talk, remembered him as an actor whose abilities went well beyond his formidable screen presence.MacFarlane spoke about how Stewart could transform even an ordinary piece of dialogue, elevating the writing through the sheer quality of his performance.He also recalled an exchange with the actor when Stewart was preparing to begin work on a new film. Stewart had apparently admitted that he still felt like a novice whenever he walked onto a fresh set. MacFarlane was astonished by the admission, joking that if someone as accomplished as Stewart could feel that way, the rest of the industry had little hope.For MacFarlane, that humility was among the qualities that made Stewart so special. He remembered him as both a legendary performer and a dear friend.The Academy and SAG-AFTRA pay tributeThe Academy also honoured Stewart, reflecting on how he brought emotional depth to characters who could otherwise have remained larger-than-life figures.Whether he was commanding the Enterprise or guiding young mutants, the organisation said, Stewart had a remarkable ability to make powerful characters feel human.It also highlighted the vulnerability, compassion and uncertainty that he brought to his performances, qualities that helped audiences connect with his characters over generations.There 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.— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 29, 2026SAG-AFTRA, of which Stewart had been a member since 1987, remembered his contribution to British theatre, television and cinema, extending condolences to his family, colleagues and fans around the world.Minnie Driver, who worked with Stewart in the 2017 romantic comedy The Wilde Wedding, shared an emotional message of her own. Remembering his advice, humour and willingness to listen, she described herself as heartbroken by his passing.Meanwhile, production designer Dave Blass shared a particularly personal memory of Stewart visiting a recreated USS Enterprise bridge. He recalled the months spent perfecting the set and the anticipation of seeing the actor walk into a space so closely associated with his career. The photograph he took of Stewart smiling in the captain's chair, he said, was how he would always remember him.Stewart leaves behind more than an extraordinary body of work. He leaves behind characters who taught generations about courage, conviction and compassion, and a legacy that will continue to live wherever stories are told and remembered.- Ends