Ian McKellen pays tribute to lifelong friend and co-star Patrick Stewart
McKellen called Stewart the most respected actor of his generation and recalled warning him against the Star Trek role.
LOS ANGELES · Sir Ian McKellen has led tributes to his lifelong friend and frequent co-star Sir Patrick Stewart, who died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home at age 86. Stewart died after a brief journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, according to a family statement. McKellen called Stewart "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic" in a lengthy Instagram post. The two British actors starred together in the X-Men film series and shared the stage in numerous theatrical productions.
"He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love," McKellen wrote. He described Stewart as being true to his Yorkshire upbringing to the core, a man with no truck for half-truths. McKellen recalled first meeting Stewart as young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago, though they were not in the same productions. Their friendship was cemented decades later when they shared adjoining trailers while filming the first X-Men movie in 2000.
McKellen also shared a memory of meeting Stewart in a London street when Stewart was contemplating the role of Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. "'But Patrick, think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?'" McKellen wrote that he advised. "Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did." Stewart would go on to play Picard in more than 170 episodes of the series and four feature films, returning to the role for Star Trek: Picard in 2020. William Shatner, who also commanded the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, said Stewart brought "intelligence, grace and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did." George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu, said the actor "inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity." Stewart's X-Men co-star Hugh Jackman called him a "tremendous friend and man," adding "We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today."
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McKellen and Stewart starred opposite each other as Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier in multiple X-Men films, beginning in 2000. They reprised their roles for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which McKellen noted will be Stewart's final film appearance. Marvel Studios described Stewart as "a singular talent, a generous collaborator and a true gentleman" who brought Professor X to life with extraordinary grace. The two also performed together on Broadway and in London's West End, including a celebrated 2009 production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.
Their off-screen friendship was equally close. McKellen officiated Stewart's 2013 wedding to jazz singer Sunny Ozell, getting ordained specifically for the occasion. Stewart once said of their bond, "It was a simple matter of that we found we had a huge amount in common. I love him deeply." In total, the two starred together in six movies and three plays. On a 2014 panel, Stewart became emotional discussing their time on stage together, saying "That I get to spend six nights a week and three afternoons on stage with this chap is still, " before McKellen held his hand.
Stewart was born in Mirfield, Yorkshire in 1940. McKellen highlighted that one of Stewart's proudest achievements was his appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire. "The proudest achievement of the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic, was his appointment as chancellor of Huddersfield University," McKellen wrote. Stewart was a lifelong supporter of English Football League club Huddersfield Town, which called him a "titan of his craft" and a "Terrier in every sense."
Dame Judi Dench said she was "shocked" and "very sad" to hear of Stewart's death, praising his commitment. Dame Harriet Walter, who met Stewart more than 40 years ago in theatre, said his passing was like a "huge giant tree has fallen in the forest." The Royal Shakespeare Company, which Stewart joined in 1966, described him as a "colossus of both stage and screen" and "one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation." Theatres in London's West End will dim their lights for two minutes on Nov. 3 in his honour.
Stewart was also known for his advocacy work, supporting human rights, domestic violence survivors, refugees, veterans' mental health and animal welfare. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting noted Stewart "never forgot his roots, nor did he shy away from using his voice to stand up for others, particularly those affected by domestic violence." Stewart is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and his two adult children from his first marriage, Daniel and Sophie Stewart. Yadude Books reported in October that Stewart died at his Los Angeles home. His final film, Avengers: Doomsday, is scheduled for release in December.
With files from CBC News, Gulf Coast News and Weather and BBC News