Stewart became a global star in 1987 when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show ran for seven seasons and led to four Star Trek films. His portrayal of Picard was marked by his authoritative baritone voice and even-keeled demeanor, with lines like “engage!” and “make it so” becoming iconic. He later reprised the role in the Star Trek: Picard series from 2020 to 2023.

William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, praised Stewart on social media, saying, “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.” George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the original series, also paid tribute, noting that Stewart “inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity.”

Stewart played Professor Charles Xavier in seven X-Men films, including 2017’s Logan. He was set to reprise the role in Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for release in December 2026. Hugh Jackman, his co-star in X-Men, said, “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him.” Marvel chief Kevin Feige called Stewart “brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas.”

Stewart spent much of his career on stage, performing in over 60 Royal Shakespeare Company productions. He received three Olivier Awards for his London stage performances and one Tony nomination for his work on Broadway. He was also known for his one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol and for playing Shakespearean roles such as Macbeth and Claudius.

Born in 1940 in Mirfield, England, Stewart grew up in a working-class home with no running hot water. His childhood was marked by domestic violence, which he later described as “barely tolerable.” He joined an amateur drama group at 12 and was a scholarship student at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Stewart also became a patron of Refuge, a charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 and served as an ambassador for the International Rescue Committee. He also performed in a 2010 London and 2013 New York production of Waiting for Godot alongside Ian McKellen. Stewart’s final film appearance was in Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released in December 2026.

Seth MacFarlane, who worked with Stewart on Family Guy and American Dad, said Stewart was “that rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it.” Stewart’s legacy is seen not only in his film and television work but also in the many people he mentored and inspired throughout his career.