British actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86

The beloved actor behind Captain Picard and Professor X has died following a battle with dementia.

Sir Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed British actor known for his iconic roles in Star Trek and X-Men, has died aged 86.

A statement from his representative confirmed Stewart passed away at his Los Angeles home on 28 October, surrounded by family after living with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Stewart became a household name as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a role he played for seven seasons, four films and the recent series Star Trek: Picard.

He also won over a whole new generation of fans as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, portraying the character for more than two decades.

Born in West Yorkshire, England, Stewart built a celebrated career across stage and screen, earning numerous awards and accolades. In 2010, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama.

Beyond his acting career, Stewart was known for his close friendship with fellow actor Sir Ian McKellen and for his long-running work in theatre.

He is survived by his wife, singer Sunny Ozell, and his two children.

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