Patrick Stewart — the veteran actor best known for his roles in the “Star Trek” and “X-Men” franchises — has died … this according to a post on his official social media.
The official statement says he passed away Monday in the care of his loving wife, Sunny, after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s.
It adds Stewart was “held in the warm embrace of friends and family” and “surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter” when he passed.
The post notes his decades of acting acclaim … and his numerous charitable contributions over the years.
Patrick began his 6-decade acting career onstage as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Theater company in the late 1960s. In 1971, he made his Broadway debut in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
After appearing in some smaller yet well-received movies and TV shows in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sir Patrick’s big break in the United States came when he was cast as Jean-Luc Picard — captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise — on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” for 176 episodes and 4 films.
In the early 2000s, Patrick took on the role of Professor Charles Xavier … the lead of the “X-Men” in the franchise — playing opposite his character’s nemesis, but his lifelong friend, Ian McKellen. He reprised his role recently for “Avengers: Doomsday” — due out in December.https://
