The famous actor, known internationally for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor X in X-Men, died on 28 October after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
In a public statement, representatives of Stewart encouraged supporters to make a memorial contribution to Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources in lieu of flowers.
“We announce with great sorrow the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia,” the statement said online.
“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all.
“We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.
“A son of Mirfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he travelled from the Royal Shakespeare Company to an equally acclaimed career spanning six decades on Broadway, the silver screen and television.
“His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre. He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise.
“His professional accomplishments were humbly matched by his philanthropy and activism on behalf of human rights, survivors of domestic violence, global refugees, veterans’ mental health services and animal welfare, particularly his cherished foster pitties. He was a knight, chancellor, motor sport enthusiast, and lifelong Huddersfield football fan. He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role in his art and life.
“‘Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience. But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the end, he feels the call of home, as do I,’ (Patrick Stewart, making it so: A memoir).”
Fellow Star Trek franchise actor William Shatner, who played Captain James T Kirk from 1966 to 1994, said Stewart would be deeply missed.
“What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor. From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did. 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,” he said.
“My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”
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