Remembering Their Early Years, McKellen Pays Tribute to Patrick Stewart After His Death at 86

Stewart’s death and illness

Stewart died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, aged 86. His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, announced that he had experienced a brief period with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

In a statement, Bush Novak said Stewart was surrounded by family and friends, with music, prayer, tears and laughter. She described the emotion he inspired over a lifetime and said his family and friends would remember the peaceful expression on his face.

McKellen recalls their bond

McKellen shared his tribute on social media Thursday. He remembered Stewart’s Yorkshire roots, directness and willingness to speak openly about his feelings. McKellen called Stewart “a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.” The two first met as young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company, though they did not perform in the same productions.

A career across stage and screen

McKellen recalled meeting Stewart in central London years later, when Stewart told him about an offer to take a leading role in Star Trek. McKellen had worried that the move might take Stewart away from his U.K. stage career, but said he was grateful Stewart accepted it.

Stewart went on to reach international audiences through Star Trek and the X-Men films, while also performing works by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett. McKellen noted his work in Stratford-upon-Avon, London’s West End and on Broadway, as well as his appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University.

Their X-Men reunion ahead

McKellen and Stewart led 20th Century Fox’s original X-Men franchise, playing Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier. Their characters were rivals who formed a friendship, a dynamic that also reflected the actors’ off-screen relationship.

The pair will reprise their X-Men roles in Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday this December. McKellen said Stewart’s farewell performance in the film has yet to be seen.