# 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:** 4
**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, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/61 "2026-10-29T23:17:03Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > A hero that I could relate to and admire. This, exactly, it was my kind of hero, smarter than the opponent, not stronger, and thoughtful and humane. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/62 "2026-10-29T23:17:41Z")
Oh, so sad to hear of his passing. Even more sad that such a brilliant, erudite man fell to Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. I recall hearing him tell a rather funny story. When he took the role of Jean Luc Picard, there was no guarantee that Next Generation would succeed. To many fans, doing a sequel to Star Trek was almost heresy. When Stewart came to Hollywood, he was so unsure of the show’s prospects that he didn’t even want to buy a car. When the show proved successful, he decided to “make it so.” He bought a Honda! Other people on the show teased him about buying such an ordinary vehicle, as opposed to something more flashy and expensive. He calmly explained that as an actor, you can never tell when your fortunes are going to turn, and he simply thought buying something modest (with good gas mileage) was more practical! I loved that story. It made me smile when I heard him tell it, and it makes me smile today. ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/63 "2026-10-29T23:20:43Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Cary Elwes You would have seen them both if you had seen _Robin Hood Men in Tights_ as well. Cary Elwes was Robin Hood and Patrick Stewart King Richard mirroring one of the movies it was spoofing. `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/64 "2026-10-29T23:26:03Z")
> [@icon](#): > > You would have seen them both if you had seen _Robin Hood Men in Tights_ as well. Cary Elwes was Robin Hood and Patrick Stewart King Richard mirroring one of the movies it was spoofing. Saw it in the theater and the crowd laughed so hard when the surprise cameo king was…Patrick Stewart! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/65 "2026-10-29T23:30:05Z")
RIP to a legendary actor. As great as he was in serious roles, he had a great sense of comedy as well. His (fake) album _"P. Stew’s Cowboy Classics_" was fantastic. ---
**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, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/66 "2026-10-29T23:44:54Z")
> [@icon](#): > > You would have seen them both if you had seen _Robin Hood Men in Tights_ as well. I actually never have. Mel Brooks is hit or miss for me and that looked like a very broad farce of the kind I only intermittently enjoy. I mean there is stuff I find funny in things like Spaceballs or THotW Part I and others stuff that I find tedious. But in tribute to Stewart, maybe I’ll finally give it a shot 🙂. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/67 "2026-10-29T23:45:06Z")
I remember when TNG first started and thought it was an affront to the the original series. Dang. ---
**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, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/68 "2026-10-29T23:48:55Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > He bought a Honda! We drive Hondas too. A man of good taste. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/69 "2026-10-29T23:52:31Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Most fans agree that It’s one of the best episodes of STNG I agree. It is tops in my book and that is saying a lot. ST:TNG had many great episodes. I was just watching a clip from “The Inner Light” episode.. Never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Outstanding. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GjDbUhRy3GM/maxresdefault.jpg "Picard plays the flute. The Inner Light, finale, Part 3 - HD (TNG S05 E25)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjDbUhRy3GM) ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/70 "2026-10-30T00:35:32Z")
Such a great actor and classy human being. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/71 "2026-10-30T00:59:02Z")
One of the best outtakes ever: **TROI:** Captain, I sense…hostility. **PICARD:** You cow! A _chair_ could sense hostility! RIP, Jean-Luc. ---
**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 30, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/72 "2026-10-30T00:59:31Z")
He completely elevated TNG. I can’t imagine what it would have been like with anyone else. I mentioned in another thread that I saw him perform a one-man version of _A Christmas Carol_ in NY. It was every bit as delightful as you might imagine. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/73 "2026-10-30T01:04:05Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I can’t imagine what it would have been like with anyone else. Sort of like _ **Voyager** _ with Genevieve Bujold instead of Kate Mulgrew, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/74 "2026-10-30T01:10:23Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I remember when TNG first started and thought it was an affront to the the original series. > > Dang. Poll Time: [When you first heard of Star Trek: The Next Generation back in the mid 80’s, what was your INITIAL reaction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/7106) ---
**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 30, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/75 "2026-10-30T01:12:11Z")
Don’t forget his guest-star turn as the leader of the Stonecutters on _The Simpsons_. ---
**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 30, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/76 "2026-10-30T01:20:56Z")
I thought this might be appreciated. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Jph2qWXJ-Tk/hqdefault.jpg "Captain Picard's best inspirational speeches") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jph2qWXJ-Tk) ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/77 "2026-10-30T01:22:47Z")
My initial reaction on hearing plans for ST:TNG wasn’t quite outrage but annoyance. I thought the title was stupid and the show would be nothing more than a cheap, cheesy money grab. Truthfully, I was not that impressed with it at first, but thanks to good casting and writing and above average special effects for the time, I found it better than I initially expected, enough to keep on with it. I warmed up to it in Season Two and was a solid fan thereafter. ---
**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 30, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/78 "2026-10-30T01:26:24Z")
I didn’t discover Star Trek as a series until I was in my 20s, in the 2000s. It was the first Trek I ever watched and I even liked the first episode. They had me at space jellyfish. Obviously Picard made that show. As I was watching the speeches I wondered aloud whether his character was better written than the others or just that Stewart’s acting was so good it only seemed that way. My husband’s take was that the writers understood Picard better than any other character, so it was probably better writing substantially elevated by Stewart’s acting. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/79 "2026-10-30T01:29:16Z")
Maybe I’m the only one, but I knew him best as the voice in Civilization IV, and what a voice it was. If I had that voice, I’d never shut up. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245/80 "2026-10-30T01:32:39Z")
I was thrilled that it was happening at last, and then a bit disappointed when I saw the pilot. My older brother said it was “dopey,” and I agreed. I was especially put off by the guy in that ugly unitard: “This is supposed to be _ **Star Trek** _, not _ **Magnus, Robot Fighter** _!” I suspected something was in the works after I heard Gene Roddenberry speak at the College of St Catherine in Saint Paul, MN, in February 1986. He said he thought _ **Star Trek** _ _might_ come back _some_ day, but left the thought hanging in the air, so to speak. I ran into him outside after I left the auditorium. He was kind enough to put his cigarette and glass of whiskey to one side and shake my hand while we exchanged a few words. I felt as though I just met God! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-stewart-dead-at-86/1034245.md?page=5)