Sir Ian McKellen leads tributes to Star Trek legend Sir Patrick Stewart and recalls warning him AGAINST taking the role
Sir Patrick Stewart, who died on Wednesday aged 86. He is to appear posthumously as Professor Xavier in Marvel's forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday.Patrick Stewart as Professor X, the role he reprised for *Avengers: Doomsday*, due for release on 18 December, in which he reunites with lifelong friend Ian McKellen.Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard, the role he won after Gene Roddenberry — who had initially refused to consider him — was ultimately forced to cast him.Sir Patrick Stewart with his wife, singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, who cared for him at their Los Angeles home during his illness and was at his side when he died on Wednesday.
Sir Ian McKellen, 87, remembered his five-decade friendship with Sir Patrick Stewart in an emotional tribute, revealing he had urged the Yorkshire actor to turn down Star Trek — advice Stewart wisely ignored. Stewart died at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday aged 86 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, surrounded by family, live music and laughter. McKellen called him 'the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic.'
West End theatres will dim their lights for two minutes at 7pm on Tuesday 3 November in Stewart's honour.
Sir David Suchet, a close friend, told BBC Radio 4 he heard of Stewart's death during the interval of a stage performance — calling it 'a huge shock.'
Hugh Jackman called Stewart 'one of the greats of stage and screen,' while X-Men co-star James McAvoy wrote: 'Wherever you're going I know you'll go boldly.'
