PATRICK STEWART'S DEATH DRAWS TRIBUTES FROM CO-STARS

Patrick Stewart, the British actor known for Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men, died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak said. He was 86. Bush Novak said Stewart had experienced “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia”. She said family and friends surrounded him with live music and prayer.

Stewart’s career spanned Shakespeare, theatre and science fiction. Ian McKellen, who appeared alongside him on stage and screen, paid tribute on social media. McKellen said Stewart was “defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire”, which he loved to the end. He recalled meeting Stewart in central London when Stewart told him about an offer to take a leading role in Star Trek. McKellen said he warned Stewart that the move could keep him in Hollywood for years, and later welcomed his decision to accept it.

McKellen said Stewart made America his adopted home and that Sunny cared for him through illness. He described Stewart’s appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire as an achievement that made Stewart proud. Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine in X-Men, called Stewart a “tremendous friend” in an Instagram tribute. Jackman also said he had learnt much from Stewart. William Shatner paid tribute to Stewart as well.