Patrick Stewart’s co-stars pay tribute to ‘great’ actor and friend

Tributes have poured in for actor Patrick Stewart, who died aged 86, with former co-stars Hugh Jackman and William Shatner remembering him as both a great performer and a friend.

Stewart died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 28 October. His spokesperson said he had experienced what she called “a brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia; the diagnoses had not previously been disclosed.

Jackman, who starred alongside Stewart in the X-Men films, wrote on social media: “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.”

Shatner, Stewart’s fellow Star Trek actor, described him as “a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor”. He said Stewart brought “intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity” to his work, from the stage to the starship Enterprise.

George Takei, another Star Trek actor, called Stewart “a true and irreplaceable legend” and said his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard had inspired a generation of fans. Actor and producer Seth MacFarlane, who worked with Stewart on American Dad!, Family Guy and Ted, praised his ability to elevate dialogue and described him as humble.

Stewart was best known for playing Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films. The Associated Press reported that tributes also came from fellow actors and organisations including Marvel Studios.