LOS ANGELES: Patrick Stewart, known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, breathed his last on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home.

Stewart’s spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed that he died following a short battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Stewart’s health condition had not been made public before his death.

In a statement, Novak described Stewart’s final days as “a short and poignant journey”, saying he passed away in the presence of his wife, Sunny.

According to the statement, stewart’s family and friends were with him in his final moments as they played music, prayed, cried and shared laughter as they said goodbye.

The actor was survived by his daughter, Sophia, and son, Daniel.

Stewart’s death comes just days after Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series, also passed away.

Born in Yorkshire’s Mirfield, Patrick’s mother, Gladys, was a textile weaver, while his father, Alfred, served in the Army.

Patrick Stewart was very young when he discovered acting, idolising Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, and Alec Guinness

Stewart joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in his 20s, while PBS NewsHour described him as a classically trained stage actor who worked his way through the Shakespearean canon.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first turned him away, and he was talked into employing me by the other producers,” Stewart told CBS Mornings in 2023.

Stewart later played X-Men leader Charles Xavier in more than six films, and he also tried comedy, starring as a flawed but well-meaning British news presenter in Blunt Talk.

His voice work included roles on the animated series Family Guy and American Dad.

Stewart returned as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday, releasing in December.

Marvel Studios said it was deeply saddened and called him a talent who defined the character for generations of fans.

The 86-year-old also earned a Tony nomination in 2008 for playing the lead in Macbeth.

A year later, he played the scheming Claudius opposite David Tennant in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet.

PBS NewsHour noted that he brought Shakespearean gravitas to both Star Trek and the X-Men films.

Patrick Stewart was honoured as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996, and Queen Elizabeth II later knighted him at Buckingham Palace.

“Although America became Stewart’s adopted home, he never forsook his origins,” Ian McKellen, X-Men co-star, said.

He added that Stewart’s proudest accomplishment was becoming Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire.

Stewart married the singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell in 2013, with McKellen officiating, and he also published a memoir, Making It So, in which he reflected on his life and career.