Actor Patrick Stewart, famed for the Hollywood film series "X-Men" and the television drama "Star Trek," passed away on October 28 (local time). He was 86.

According to The New York Times (NYT) on October 29, Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles, California, the previous day following a battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Born in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, in 1940, Stewart endured a troubled childhood marked by domestic abuse from his father. Showing an early interest in acting, he joined an amateur theater troupe at age 12 and enrolled in the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at 17 with a full scholarship.

He made his Broadway debut in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1971 and spent 14 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, showcasing his acting prowess in classical works such as "Henry IV" and "The Merchant of Venice."

His breakthrough role came with the television series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," which began airing in 1987. In the series, Stewart played Captain Jean-Luc Picard, leading the starship Enterprise. The series enjoyed a beloved seven-season run and spawned four feature films.

The role that brought him global fame and popularity was Professor Charles Xavier, also known as "Professor X," the leader of the mutants in the "X-Men" film series. Stewart reprised his role as Professor Xavier in films sharing the same universe, including "Logan" (2017) and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2022).

Hugh Jackman, who starred alongside Stewart in the "X-Men" series, paid tribute to the late actor on social media, writing, "He was a truly great friend to me," and adding, "Patrick Stewart, I will miss you for the rest of my life."

Marvel Studios also expressed its condolences through its official social media account, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who brought life to the character of Professor Charles Xavier."



(Photo: SBS Entertainment News, reported by Kim Ji-hye)