# Patrick Stewart dead at 86 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [October 29, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245 "2026-10-29T19:49:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/41 "2026-10-29T21:17:53Z")
Oh damn. 😢 ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/42 "2026-10-29T21:23:59Z")
My introduction to Patrick Stewart was the [Royal Shakespeare Company’s _Playing Shakespeare_](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw_4mQYACKo0b5_88h6A43tGtYHoiYMGY). He will always be my Gurney Halleck. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/43 "2026-10-29T21:25:20Z")
Although Stewart will be remembered for Star Trek and playing Professor X, he was also magnificent as Sejanus in _I, Claudius_. A great loss. But an immortal body of work. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/44 "2026-10-29T21:29:14Z")
He was amazing in the film version of _Macbeth._ That man could make you feel things. You take something as cheesy as _TNG_ could be and he somehow made you believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/45 "2026-10-29T21:32:51Z")
He was also wildly funny as Stan’s boss in _American Dad_. Wow, what a week. Captain Picard, Ensign Chekov, and Mrs Barney Miller. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/46 "2026-10-29T21:34:13Z")
Are there still four lights? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/47 "2026-10-29T21:35:14Z")
He also turned in an impressive late-career performance alongside Ian McKellen in _Waiting for Godot_. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/48 "2026-10-29T21:36:35Z")
One of my now-favorite stories about Stewart is one I only learned about fairly recently, when he revealed it in his autobiography: > [@](#): > > “My castmates doubled over in laughter when they flubbed multiple takes and, in rehearsals, they sometimes ad-libbed things that weren’t in the script to make their lines funnier,” Stewart recalled, per _[the Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/patrick-stewart-stormed-off-star-trek-next-generation-set-1235603395/)_. “My experiences at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre had been intense and serious. Naturally, we enjoyed a bit of levity, but in general we knew our time was limited and we didn’t fool around.” > > As a result, he continued, “On the _TNG_ set, I grew angry with the conduct of my peers, and that’s when I called that meeting in which I lectured the cast for goofing off and responded to [Denise Crosby](https://ew.com/person/denise-crosby/)’s, ‘We’ve got to have some fun sometimes, Patrick,’ comment by saying, ‘We are _not_ here, Denise, to have fun.’” > > Stewart’s bold proclamation didn’t exactly win over his peers. “In retrospect, everyone, me included, finds this story hilarious. But, in the moment, when the cast erupted in hysterics at my pompous declaration, I didn’t handle it well,” he recalled. “I didn’t enjoy being laughed at. I stormed off the set and into my trailer, slamming the door.” > > After he had been “sulking for a while” in his trailer, Stewart said his costars [Jonathan Frakes](https://ew.com/person/jonathan-frakes/) and Brent Spiner stopped by to hash everything out. He remembered the latter telling him, “Everything’s okay. People respect you, but I think you misjudged the situation here.” > > “He and Jonathan acknowledged that yes, there was too much goofing around and that it needed to be dialed back. But they also made it clear how off-putting it was — and not a case study in good leadership — for me to try to resolve the matter by lecturing and scolding the cast,” Stewart acknowledged. “I had failed to read the room, imposing RSC behavior on people accustomed to the ways of episodic television — which was, after all, what we were shooting.” > > Over the course of several decades and spinoffs, Stewart noted that he’s “learned so much from my Star Trek friends about acting for television and simply being a good colleague” on set. > **[Patrick Stewart recalls the time he stormed off the set of 'Star Trek'](https://ew.com/tv/patrick-stewarts-strict-theater-background-led-to-him-having-a-tantrum-on-star-trek-set/)** > > When Patrick Stewart first joined 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' the Royal Shakespeare Company veteran had little tolerance for funny business on set. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/49 "2026-10-29T21:37:41Z")
Oh this one stings, so many fine roles. Stewart was able to bring that classic gravitas to roles in popular entertainment such as Picard or Xavier without overburdening them. He also displayed a fine sense of humour and whimsy. I remember when the “ice bucket challenge” was going around, he did a spot in his socials where he brought in the ice bucket, then sat down and wrote a check, put some of the ice in a glass and poured himself a drink. Loved it. And yes, I got to see him live onstage: in _A Life in the Theater_ back in 2010 on Broadway. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/50 "2026-10-29T21:59:11Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > He gave such a touching performance as the elderly Professor X in _Logan_, which came out nine years ago. After he paralyzes everyone in the casino and Logan is wheeling him out, and he’s just helplessly repeating “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” is heartbreaking. > [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > He was also wildly funny as Stan’s boss in _American Dad_. And he played that so filthy, much of it about Stan’s daughter. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/51 "2026-10-29T22:02:32Z")
“…I left most of my electrolytes with your daughter.” Only Sir Patrick could make that line sound classy. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/52 "2026-10-29T22:07:40Z")
The writing in that entire scene is great. Wearing her pink bathrobe, singing “Little Girls” by Oingo Bingo, and Stewart was all in on the silliness of the character all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/53 "2026-10-29T22:27:34Z")
Because I didn’t watch any Next Generation Star Trek until years later I first saw him in, of all things, [Lady Jane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Jane_(1986_film)), playing [Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Grey,_Duke_of_Suffolk), Lady Jane’s father. Also the first time I saw Helena Bonham Carter (her first leading role) or Cary Elwes. When years later I finally got around to watching him as Luc Picard, I was initially startled - it’s the Duke of Suffolk! Guy was timelessly regal and best of all was a pragmatic working actor [happy to poke fun at himself](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL7Us5SVpoM). ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/54 "2026-10-29T22:28:56Z")
As somebody said above, this truly, really _hurts_. I’m crying, Picard was one of those fictional characters that are _important_ in one’s life. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/55 "2026-10-29T22:29:51Z")
I saw that, twice, in New York and I’ll never forget. It was magnificent!! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/56 "2026-10-29T22:30:35Z")
[![](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/beauty-style/patrick-stewart-aarp-magazine-2014/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par2/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/2014-03/1140-lobster-bath-patrick-stewart-interview.jpg) ](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/beauty-style/patrick-stewart-aarp-magazine-2014/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par2/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/2014-03/1140-lobster-bath-patrick-stewart-interview.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/57 "2026-10-29T22:52:03Z")
Well, Dune is over - since it’s the holiday season, tonight is going to be _Lifeforce_ to continue the tribute. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/58 "2026-10-29T23:02:39Z")
The first role I noticed him in was Dune in 1984. The character was written pretty badly (in my estimation) but he managed to make it interesting. But I didn’t really pay attention to the name of the actor, it was not a huge role, after all. The next thing I noticed him in was Star Trek TNG. Those first scenes were so different, and I was so happy that they were so different, from TOS. No swashbuckling hero he, but a serious, dedicated, thoughtful, human Captain, one with depth and subtlety and craftiness and good sense. A hero that I could relate to and admire. > [@aceplace57](#): > > Patrick seemed ageless. I do disagree with this. He was only 47 when he started playing Picard, but being bald (though ever so fit) he looked older, and it took him a while to become the age he looked. But in the last 10 years or maybe more, he was showing his age, along with his voice going gravelly. Much more than Ian McKellen, who is a year older, and seems still to be vigorous and smooth (and long may he wave). ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/59 "2026-10-29T23:06:34Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > He was amazing in the film version of _Macbeth._ I forgot about that. Yes, he was amazing! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/60 "2026-10-29T23:07:52Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Also the first time I saw … Cary Elwes. Inconceiveable! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245.md?page=4)