British actor Patrick Stewart has died at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, his family announced Thursday.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Stewart at his home in Los Angeles, with his beloved wife Sunny by his side," read a statement posted to the actor's social media accounts. "His unique talent will always be remembered and associated with unprecedented performances in every field in which he worked. He will also be remembered for the dignity, humanity, and compassion he demonstrated everywhere in his life."
Stewart began his career performing Shakespeare at Britain's Royal Shakespeare Theatre, but his breakthrough came in the late 1980s when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the television series "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The role ran for seven seasons between 1987 and 1994 and made him a household name. In subsequent years, he appeared in the American sitcom "Frasier" and the British comedy series "Extras," earning Emmy nominations for both performances.
In 2000, Stewart reached another career milestone when he took on the role of Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" film series. Over the years, he appeared in seven Marvel films in the role before announcing his retirement from the character in 2017. In 2013, his X-Men co-star Ian McKellen, who played Magneto, officiated Stewart's wedding to his wife.
Stewart is set to return as Professor Xavier in "Avengers: The Rise of Doctor Doom," scheduled for theatrical release this December, which will likely be his final filmed appearance before his death.
