Hugh Jackman says he 'will miss him for the rest of my life' as Patrick Stewart, Professor X of 'X-Men,' dies after battle with dementia

Patrick Stewart, the British actor beloved as Professor X in the "X-Men" film series and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek," has died at 86.

Stewart died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to NBC and The Hollywood Reporter, which reported the news Thursday (local time).

Spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak said in a statement that "Sir Patrick Stewart passed away at home following a brief and heartbreaking journey with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, in the loving care of his wife."

In a statement posted on social media, the family said Stewart "was surrounded by the warmth of family and friends" and that they "will forever hold the expression of peace and contemplation on his face."

Patrick Stewart as Professor X, the telepathic mutant leader, in the "X-Men" film series. [AFP]

Tributes poured in from colleagues. Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine in the "X-Men" series, wrote on Instagram that Stewart was "one of the greatest actors of stage and screen" and that he "will miss him for the rest of my life." William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the original "Star Trek" series, called Stewart "a friend, a colleague and a magnificent actor" and extended condolences to Sunny and the family. Jonathan Frakes, who played first officer Riker opposite Stewart's Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," wrote simply, "Rest easy, my friend."

Marvel Studios also paid tribute on its official social media accounts, saying it was "deeply saddened by the passing of legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who brought the character of Professor Charles Xavier to life."

Stewart first appeared as Professor X — a telepathic mutant leader — in "X-Men" (2000) and reprised the role across multiple installments in the series. Stewart reunited with Jackman in "Logan" in 2017 and joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as an alternate-universe Professor X in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" in 2022. "Avengers: Doomsday," set to open in December, will be Stewart's final film.

Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1940, Stewart built a reputation as a classical stage actor through a long career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stewart rose to global fame as Captain Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," which aired from 1987 to 1994. Stage work earned Stewart three Olivier Awards, the most prestigious theater honor in Britain.

Stewart was also an advocate for human rights, supporting organizations that assist victims of domestic violence. Stewart married American singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell in 2013 and is survived by a son, Daniel, and a daughter, Sophia, from a previous marriage.

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