SIR Patrick Stewart secretly battled Alzheimer’s and dementia before his death aged 86.
The acting legend, best known for starring in X-Men and Star Trek, sadly passed away at his home in Los Angeles, it was revealed.
The exact timeline of his diagnosis was kept private and his secret health battle has left fans around the world devastated.
His family and spokesperson described his experience with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia as a “brief and poignant journey” and a “brief battle” before his passing.
Sir Patrick died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
He was said to be “in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny”.
A post on the actor’s Instagram account added: “He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all.
“We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.
“A son of Mirfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he travelled from the Royal Shakespeare Company to an equally acclaimed career spanning six decades on Broadway, the silver screen and television.”
Earlier in his career, Stewart portrayed a retired intelligence agent suffering from early-stage Alzheimer’s in the 1998 independent thriller Safe House.
In his last post on Instagram around six months ago, he appeared to have a raspy voice.
Sir Patrick’s illustrious career on stage and screen spanned over 60 years.
He received numerous accolades including two Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama in 2010.
Paying tribute, Marvel Studios posted on X: “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.”
Born in Mirfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1940, his early years were defined by working-class hardship.
A young Patrick secured a grant to attend the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before joining the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966.
For decades, he was a respected but largely unheralded stage actor, mastering the works of the Bard and establishing himself as a formidable theatrical talent in the UK.
Sir Patrick’s career trajectory shifted dramatically in 1987 when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.
Initially sceptical about the show’s prospects, Stewart famously admitted he refused to unpack his bags for weeks, fully expecting the American sci-fi venture to fail and send him straight back to the London stage.
Instead, Picard became his defining television role.
He commanded the Starship Enterprise for seven highly successful seasons and four feature films.
Stewart conquered a second massive franchise as the telepathic mutant Professor Charles Xavier in the highly lucrative “X-Men” films.
Despite his immense Hollywood success, Stewart never abandoned his classical roots, frequently returning to the West End and Broadway to star in celebrated productions like “Macbeth” and “Waiting for Godot”.
His monumental contribution to drama was officially recognised in 2010 when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
He was last pictured watching his beloved football club as the team pay tribute to “hero” supporter.