Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, and More Marvel Stars Pay Tribute to Patrick Stewart
The world lost one of its great actors last week when Patrick Stewart passed away at the age of 86, following a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
After Stewart’s passing, fans worldwide celebrated his life, career, and legacy.
Spurce: Wikipedia
While Stewart will always be best remembered for portraying Captain Picard in the Star Trek franchise, he also brought one of Marvel’s most iconic characters to life for decades.
For two and a half decades, Patrick Stewart portrayed Professor Charles Xavier in both the Fox X-Men series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
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
After originating the role of Professor X in 2000’s X-Men, Stewart would reprise his role in X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), and Logan (2017).
Source: Marvel/ Fox
He subsequently made the jump to the MCU for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Tributes Flow In
In the aftermath of Stewart’s passing, his X-Men co-stars paid tribute to their friend and colleague.
Ian McKellen
Stewart’s longtime co-star and close personal friend Ian McKellen was among the first to break his silence.
Sir Ian McKellen (81) seen here kissing Sir Patrick Stewart(80), both men are “eligible” to receive the vaccine.” Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
“Patrick was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire, the proud county in the north of England which he loved to the end,” he wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
“You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt. Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues. He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”
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Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman, who portrayed Wolverine in the X-Men movies, also paid tribute to Stewart on Instagram.
Photo: Fox
“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. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days,” he wrote.
Halle Berry
X-Men star Halle Berry also left a message for Stewart on her Instagram Story.
Photo: AFP
“Rest in peace sweet friend,” she wrote.
James Marsden
Like Jackman and McKellen, James Marsden, who portrayed Scott Summers/Cyclops in the X-Men films, also remembered Stewart’s kindness.
Photo: Bollywood Humunga
“We’ve lost a very special man. Kind and generous, with extraordinary talent and a wicked sense of humor, it was impossible not to feel charmed, enlightened and downright joyous in his presence. I’m grateful to have spent the time I did with you, Patrick. Rest well, my good friend,” he said on Instagram.
Rebecca Romijn
Rebecca Romijn, who starred alongside Stewart in both the Star Trek franchise and the X-Men films, similarly paid tribute to the actor.
“I just heard the very sad news about the passing of my dear friend Patrick Stewart. I feel so grateful to have known him for the last 25 years, and to have been in his orbit for the last 25 years, both as a fellow mutant and as a fellow member of Starfleet,” she said.
Photo: Variety
“He was positively delicious, hilarious, naughty, incredible sense of humor. And that booming voice of his that always spoke to the very back of the room. As every classically trained Shakespearean great needs to master, has always been an inspiration. I wanna send my condolences to his family, and I’ll miss my friend dearly. Rest in peace, Patrick.”
Famke Janssen
Similarly, Famke Janssen, who portrayed Jean Grey in the X-Men films and appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, paid tribute to Stewart.
Photo: IMDB
“I had the pleasure and honor of working with him over several decades. First as Kamala opposite him as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and later on as Jean Grey with Patrick embodying Professor X in the X-Men movies,” Janssen said. “You will be missed, Patrick, but never forgotten.”
Kelsey Grammer
Kelsey Grammer spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Stewart’s passing.
“Sending love to Patrick and all of his fans and family. He was just terrific,” he said.
Photo: IMDB
“Gave one of the greatest turns as a guest on Frasier — ever! A marvelous man. I liked him so. Time spent with him was always time well spent.”
Kevin Feige
Finally, Kevin Feige, who worked on X-Men before eventually becoming head of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reflected on Stewart’s impact.
Source: Jessie Grant/ Disney/ Getty Images
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men. After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas. Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor.”
