Hugh Jackman has paid tribute to Sir Patrick Stewart following the actor’s death at 86.
The Australian star, 56, who shared the screen with Stewart in seven X-Men films, posted a farewell message on Instagram alongside behind-the-scenes photographs of the pair. One image appeared to be from the set of 2017’s Logan, their final outing as Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier.
“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days,” Jackman wrote.
A statement posted to Stewart’s own Instagram account confirmed he passed away on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, and spent his final days in the care of his wife Sunny Ozell.
The family statement described his passing as following “a brief and poignant journey” with the illnesses. It noted he was surrounded by “live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.”
William Shatner, 93, the original Star Trek captain who played Kirk opposite Stewart’s Picard across the generations, also mourned the loss on social media.
“What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor,” Shatner wrote. “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.”
Shatner’s tribute continued: “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. My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”
Born in Mirfield, Yorkshire, Stewart rose from the Royal Shakespeare Company to become a fixture across Broadway, film and television across six decades. The family statement traced his path from “unknown British Shakespearean actor” — as the LA Times once described him — to global recognition through two iconic franchises.
The Instagram statement highlighted his activism alongside his art, noting his work for human rights, survivors of domestic violence, global refugees, veterans’ mental health services and animal welfare. It mentioned his “cherished foster pitties” among his causes, and listed his roles as Knight, Chancellor, motorsport enthusiast and lifelong Huddersfield Town supporter.
Mike Colter, the Luke Cage star, offered a shorter remembrance on social media: “Rest well sir. You left a mark indeed.”
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting tweeted his own tribute, writing: “Heartbroken by the death of Sir Patrick Stewart. From Shakespeare to Star Trek, he boldly went where few had gone before, and took millions of us with him. He never forgot his roots, nor did he shy away from using his voice to stand up for others, particularly those affected by domestic violence. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
The family statement closed with Stewart’s own words from his 2023 memoir Making It So: “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.”
Stewart first assumed the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 1987’s Star Trek: The Next Generation, bringing theatrical gravitas to science fiction television across seven seasons and four feature films. He later returned to the character for three seasons of Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. His portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier began with 2000’s X-Men and concluded with Logan, bookending seventeen years of the Marvel franchise.