Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died aged 86 following a "a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia", a post on his Instagram has said.

The post said he died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles and that he was in the loving care of his wife Sunny.

Famous for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, Stewart also appeared in the X-Men, the Avengers and Logan.

Born in Yorkshire in 1940, Stewart joined the Royal Shakespeare Company before appearing on Broadway and a six-decade career in film and television.

Sir Patrick is survived by his wife and two children, Daniel and Sophie.

Marvel Studios said it was deeply saddened by Stewart's death, describing him as "a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman".

Star Trek co-star William Shatner said in a post on X that Sir Patrick brought "intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.

"Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work," Shatner added, saying Sir Patrick would be deeply missed.

Hugh Jackman, who starred with Sir Patrick in X-Men, called him a "tremendous friend and man".

On Instagram, Jackman said: "We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today."

"I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days," he added.

Sir Patrick was a lifelong supporter of English Football League club Huddersfield Town, who called him a "titan of his craft", saying his legacy would live on.

"Fiercely proud of his Yorkshire roots, Sir Patrick was a Terrier in every sense, and we're proud to have counted him as one of our own," the club said.

Sir Patrick's career spanned seven decades, where he won multiple awards, as well as a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Flowers will be placed on his star in tribute later on Thursday.

He was a versatile actor who balanced Hollywood roles and a career in classical theatre.

As well as his appearances in Marvel films, Stuart also appeared in Safe House, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dune, released in 1984.

He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, and his roles included King John, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Henry IV.

When Sir Patrick was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, he said he owed "literally everything" to his former English teacher who first encouraged him to perform.

His love of drama began at school where he was introduced to Shakespeare and his first public performance was in a local church production of Cinderella.

Sir Patrick threw himself enthusiastically into the flourishing local theatre. "I used to recite Shakespeare from memory," he said. "I just learned all these big speeches."