Larisha Paul
Contact Larisha Paul on X View all posts by Larisha Paul October 29, 2026 Add us as a Google Preferred Source
Add us as a Google Preferred Source 
Actor Patrick Stewart poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California. Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images The death of Sir Patrick Stewart has left Hollywood heartbroken as his co-stars, colleagues, and fellow actors recall rare encounters, days on set, and priceless advice the acting legend shared with them. Stewart’s career spanned decades with credits across more than five dozen films and over 50 television appearances, from X-Men and Star Trek to Dune and American Dad. His presence has lingered with the people he met on set as much as it has with those watching from home.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men,” Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said. “After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas. Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor. It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him. His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed.”
In a social media statement, Marvel Studios celebrated Stewart’s legacy as Professor Charles Xavier, saying he brought the character “to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from X-Men to Logan to Avengers: Doomsday. He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.”
Jonathan Frakes fondly remembered Stewart in a statement shared with Rolling Stone. “There is no one on this planet that I have acted with or directed more often than my late great friend Patrick Stewart. He will be with me forever. May he rest in peace.” Frakes portrayed Commander William T. Riker opposite Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation and also starred in and directed follow-ups, including helming Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection.
Editor’s picks
The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far
The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
100 Best Movies of the 21st Century
George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek franchise, remembered his co-star on Threads. “Fans across the world mourn the passing of a true and irreplaceable legend,” Takei said. “As Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Patrick Stewart took the starship Enterprise to places it had never gone before, and he inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity. Our hearts are heavy, indeed. Rest in the heavens, Captain.”
Creator Seth MacFarlane called on Stewart throughout his career to guest on his animated series Family Guy and American Dad, and cast him as a narrator for the film Ted. In a tribute shared on Instagram, MacFarlane wrote, “Patrick was one of those icons who we somehow all took for granted would always be with us. I grew up as a fan, and was later gifted the privilege of becoming a colleague and friend.”
View this post on Instagram
He added, “He was that rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it, making a good writer sound great, and a great writer sound masterful. He was also as humble as they come. I remember exchanging emails with him a number of years ago when he was beginning day 1 of a new film.”
MacFarlane then shared a pivotal memory he has of Stewart, in which the actor said he always stepped onto a new set feeling like a novice. It stunned MarFarlane, who told him in response, “Patrick, if you feel that way, the rest of us are screwed.”
William Shatner described the news of Stewart’s death as “heartbreaking,” remembering the acting great as a friend and colleague. “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did,” Shatner said on X. “Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work. My heart goes out to [Stewart’s wife] Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”
Related Content
William Shatner Pays Tribute to Patrick Stewart: 'A Friend, a Colleague, and a Magnificent Actor'
Flashback: Patrick Stewart Gives an Emotional Farewell Toast on Last Episode of 'Star Trek: Picard'
Patrick Stewart, Beloved ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ Actor, Dead at 86
'VisionQuest' Is a Show Only a Bot Could Love
Hugh Jackman shared an old image with Stewart on Instagram, captioning the post, “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.”
Kumail Nanjiani took to Bluesky to pay tribute, but found himself at a loss for words. “Sir Patrick Stewart was the best,” he wrote. “I don’t know what else I can say.” Jeri Ryan, who appeared in Star Trek: Picard, looked back on a number of memories with Stewart in photo form on Instagram, captioning the post, “Ouch. This one hurts. Rest well, Patrick.”
Bryan Batt, who appeared with Stewart in the 1995 film Jeffrey, shared a tribute on Instagram. “Heartbroken at the news of Sir Patrick’s passing. He was one of the most talented, kindest, and generous actors I’ve ever had the honor of working with,” he wrote. “I was lucky to play his lover in the film of Paul Rudnick’s JEFFREY. Even though I created the role on stage, it was my 1st film and needless to say I was a bit anxious. Patrick took me under his wing and guided me along, teaching me so much. A wonderful giving actor and true gentleman of the theatre. Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
