A career spanning Shakespeare to sci-fi: looking back at Patrick Stewart, who died at 86

From Yorkshire to the stage

Stewart grew up in Yorkshire, England, in a difficult home. He recalled that his father was abusive and struggled with alcoholism, while school and Shakespeare offered him comfort.

He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 and made his Broadway debut in 1970 in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He later performed alongside leading Shakespearean actors including Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. Speaking to NPR in 2023, Stewart said that an empty theater and stage eventually felt like home, though he took time to reach that point.

A role that changed everything

While lecturing on Shakespeare at UCLA, Stewart was considered for the lead role in a new Star Trek series. Ian McKellen cautioned him against leaving the stage, but Stewart’s agent expected the television job to last only a short time.

Star Trek: The Next Generation became a major success, running for seven seasons from 1987 to 1994. Fans embraced Picard’s composed leadership, Earl Grey tea and familiar commands, including “Engage!” and “Make it so!” The role brought fame, but Stewart said he performed relatively few Shakespearean leading roles during his career. He also played more than 40 parts in an acclaimed one-man production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Beyond the Enterprise

Stewart returned to the stage and voiced characters in animated films, while taking on another major franchise as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, starting in 2000. He is set to appear for the final time as Xavier in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

Though he thought his time as Picard had ended, producers including writer Michael Chabon persuaded him to return. Star Trek: Picard began streaming in 2020 on the service now known as Paramount+.

In the series, Picard faces the psychological effects of leaving Starfleet. Stewart’s performance portrayed a character who was weary and haunted, yet still capable of joy.