Los Angeles:British actor Patrick Stewart, celebrated for his iconic roles in "Star Trek The Next Generation" and the "X-Men" movie series, has died at the age of 86. Stewart passed away at his home in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, in a statement released on Instagram.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Stewart's death followed a brief struggle with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. His wife, Sunny, was by his side during his final moments. Stewart, born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, rose from a challenging childhood to become a distinguished Shakespearean actor before achieving global fame in his middle years.

Stewart first appeared as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in 1987 when "Star Trek The Next Generation" premiered. The series, which lasted seven seasons, earned 18 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. Stewart's portrayal of Picard became memorable for the character's authoritative commands, "Engage!" and "Make it so." He continued to embody Picard in four feature films and the "Star Trek Picard" series, which aired from 2020 for three seasons.

In addition to his "Star Trek" fame, Stewart played significant roles in other major productions. He portrayed Gurney Halleck in the 1984 film "Dune" by David Lynch and brought to life the character of Professor Charles Xavier in five "X-Men" films, including "Logan" in 2017. These films often featured his close friend, Ian McKellen.

Before his Hollywood tenure, Stewart was a prominent figure in British theater, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. He earned Olivier Awards for roles in "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Hamlet" and received the London Fringe Theatre best actor award in 1986 for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Despite facing criticism from theater peers for his move to Hollywood, Stewart embraced his work in popular entertainment, famously defending his decision by highlighting the broad appeal of his characters.

Patrick Stewart was born to Alfred Stewart, a British Army regimental sergeant major, and Gladys (Barrowclough) Stewart, a textile factory worker. With his powerful baritone voice, Stewart crafted a career that spanned classical theater and major science-fiction franchises, leaving a lasting legacy across generations.