By Karim Hammam
Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed British actor known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films, died Wednesday at age 86. His death followed a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
McKellen Pays Tribute to 'Artistic Brother-in-Arms'
Ian McKellen, 87, remembered Stewart Thursday as "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic." In a social media statement, McKellen said: "He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love."
Friendship Forged at Royal Shakespeare Company
The pair met at England's Royal Shakespeare Company, where Stewart joined in 1966 and McKellen in 1974. They first worked together in Tom Stoppard's "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" in 1977 but were not close at the time. Stewart later sought McKellen's advice about accepting the "Star Trek" role; McKellen advised against it, fearing it would risk Stewart's stage career in the UK.
Bond Deepened on 'X-Men' Sets
Their friendship blossomed during the "X-Men" franchise starting in 2000, where Stewart played Professor X and McKellen portrayed Magneto. With adjoining luxury trailers on set, they spent hours talking and discovered extensive overlaps in their careers. Stewart later credited the franchise for truly cementing their bond.
Public Affection and Personal Milestones
The actors became known for greeting each other with affectionate kisses on the lips at public events. McKellen officiated Stewart's 2013 wedding to singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell. Stewart, a longtime LGBTQ+ supporter, said his advocacy felt "natural and uncomplicated" and was reinforced by knowing activists like McKellen, who is gay.
Stage Collaborations and Honors
Both men maintained devotion to theater, co-starring in Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" (2009 West End, 2013-14 Broadway) and Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" (2013 Berkeley, Broadway, 2016 West End). They received knighthoods from Queen Elizabeth II — McKellen in 1991 and Stewart in 2010 — and built separate cinematic legacies as Gandalf and Captain Picard respectively.
