Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, William Shatner… All tributes to Patrick Stewart

From his X-Men companions to his Star Trek partners, including Marvel executives, tributes are multiplying after the death of Patrick Stewart, who died at the age of 86.

It’s difficult to measure the mark left by Patrick Stewart in the history of cinema and television.

In the hours following the announcement of his death on Wednesday, his set mates and friends paid tribute to him on social networks. Starting with Ian McKellen, his brother in arms in the X-Men universe, who published a long message on Instagram to greet the man he considered a very dear friend.

Ian McKellen’s tribute

The two actors met almost fifty years ago, when they were young actors in the Royal Shakespeare Company. McKellen particularly remembers their discussion, a few years later, when Stewart told him that he was being offered a lead role in Star Trek. He then warned him against the risks of a career in Hollywood, to the detriment of the British scene. But Stewart accepted the challenge, to the delight of his admirers.

“Above all, Patrick was a Yorkshire man, born and raised in this county in the north of England which he loved to the end. You could hear it in his accent and in the blunt honesty with which he said what he thought and felt. Yorkshire people do not tolerate half-truths or attempts to dodge important issues. He wore his heart out, which made him a man who could be relied on, who could be admired and, in my case, love.”

Ian McKellen also praised the career of his friend, who knew how to put his international celebrity to the service of cinema and theater. He concluded his message by talking about Sunny, Patrick Stewart’s wife. He had celebrated their marriage:

“America was his adopted home, where he met his dear Sunny, who took care of him in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. But he never denied his origins. The greatest pride of this actor, respected and loved by his generation on both sides of the Atlantic, was his appointment to the post of chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire.”

“A wonderful friend” for Hugh Jackman

Another former member of the X-Men, Hugh Jackman also paid tribute to the memory of the man who was his partner in several films in the saga, from the first opus released in 2000 to Logan, in 2017.

On Instagram, the interpreter of Wolverine shared a brief, but emotional message:

“Today we lost one of the greatest actors of stage and screen. And, to me, a great friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you for the rest of my life, Patrick Stewart.”

William Shatner’s Farewell

In the Star Trek universe, the tributes are just as numerous. William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original series, posted a message on Facebook to salute the man who took over as leader of the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

“What a heartbreaking week. Sir Patrick Stewart was a wonderful friend, colleague and actor. From the stage to the command post of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, elegance and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did. Captain Picard embodied the best of us, as did the man who brought him to life. I had immense affection and admiration for him and his work. My thoughts are with Sunny and his family. He will be missed deeply.”

“Have a good trip Captain”

Wil Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation, posted a photograph with Stewart, accompanied by these two words: “Godspeed, Captain”, which could be translated as “Have a safe trip, captain”.

Jonathan Frakes, who played William Riker, also paid tribute to his long-time partner:

“There is no one on this planet that I have played with or managed as often as my late, great friend Patrick Stewart. He will be with me forever. May he rest in peace.”

Marvel salutes the memory of its Professor Xavier

On the Marvel side, the emotion is also palpable.

Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige hailed a “brilliant, charming, warm and generous” man. He also underlined the importance of his role as mentor to many artists:

“His legacy endures, not only through decades of extraordinary work, but also through the many, many people he supported and guided.”

In a press release, Marvel Studios recalled how Patrick Stewart had made an impression by playing Professor Charles Xavier, the mentor of the X-Men.

“He brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence and humanity. He defined the character for generations of fans. He was a unique talent, a generous collaborator and a true gentleman.”

All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart. Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from “X-Men” to “Logan” to “Avengers: Doomsday.” He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) October 29, 2026

They ran it one last time

Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed him in his last film role in Avengers: Doomsday, also paid tribute to his memory.

The filmmakers described Stewart as “a legendary actor, with an instantly recognizable presence and unparalleled integrity,” before thanking him for teaching audiences the meaning of humanity, both on and off screen.

The lovely memory of Dafne Keen

Dafne Keen, who co-starred with Patrick Stewart in Logan when she was still a child, published a photograph accompanied by a long personal text:

“I learned of Patrick’s passing earlier today. It’s quite funny, in a way, as if fate had intervened, because I was just writing an email to send it to him late last night, which I hadn’t done in a while. He was a man of great kindness, genuine, funny, unique, thoughtful and charming. I remember his incessant jokes, his kind nature and his reading glasses with colorful frames. Every day spent working alongside him was an honor and a privilege that I still struggle to realize how lucky I was. He was a master in his art, but also in the art of living. One of the greatest of our time, on stage as well as on screen. I have always admired him, and I will continue to do so. ancient, marvelous, fun and enthusiastic. I will always remember his human warmth and the respect he showed to all those around him.”