By Salma El-Sakka
Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed British actor whose commanding presence graced both the Shakespearean stage and the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, died Wednesday in Los Angeles at the age of 86. London's West End theaters plan to dim their lights next Tuesday evening in his memory.
Early Life and Shakespearean Roots
Stewart's passion for Shakespeare began during a "hand-to-mouth" childhood in northern England, encouraged by his mother Gladys and an English teacher. He memorized soliloquies as a teenager, won a scholarship to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and honed his craft in repertory theater, mounting a different play each week.
Royal Shakespeare Company Career
Stewart spent a decade and a half as a core member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1966, appearing in more than 40 productions. He progressed from supporting parts to leading roles including Shylock, Prospero, Macbeth, Henry IV, and Mark Antony. Former artistic director Gregory Doran remembered him as "a true Shakespearean" and "a theater actor in his bones."
Star Trek and Hollywood Fame
In 1987, Stewart accepted the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," despite friend Ian McKellen warning him to "think of your stage career" rather than risk getting lost in Hollywood. The series launched him to global stardom, followed by the "X-Men" films where he played Professor Charles Xavier.
Acclaimed Shakespeare Performances
Stewart repeatedly returned to the stage. His 2007 "Macbeth" in Rupert Goold's dystopian production earned a Tony Award nomination on Broadway. He then played Claudius opposite David Tennant's Hamlet in a 2008 RSC production, a performance praised for its subtle complexity that won an Olivier Award.
Partnership with Ian McKellen
Stewart and McKellen, friends since working together in 1977, formed a celebrated stage duo. They starred in Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and Pinter's "No Man's Land" in 2009, directed by Sean Mathias, performing in London's West End, on a U.K. tour, and on Broadway where the shows ran on alternate days.
Pandemic Sonnets and Legacy
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Stewart recorded one of Shakespeare's sonnets each day from his California home, posting them on social media. He expressed delight that the project introduced new audiences to the Bard, saying it gave him "a great thrill" to be approached by people wanting to discuss Shakespeare.
