Sir Ian McKellen has spoken out following the death of Sir Patrick Stewart, his friend and fellow actor, who passed away at 86 after a brief battle with Alzheimer's. McKellen's tribute, shared on Thursday, October 29, 2026, remembered Stewart as a man of great warmth and generosity.
In his statement, McKellen said, "He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love," according to TMZ.com.
The two actors first met half a century ago, but McKellen recalled that his strongest early memory of Stewart was cautioning him against accepting the role that would become iconic: Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek." McKellen feared that taking the part could jeopardize Stewart's established stage career.
McKellen also expressed appreciation for the audiences who celebrated Stewart's work, acknowledging the "Trekkies" as well as film and theatre fans who admired his friend's talents, TMZ.com reported.
Their friendship endured for decades and included professional collaborations, notably in the "X-Men" film series beginning in 2000. In 2013, McKellen officiated Stewart's wedding to Sunny Ozell at a Mexican restaurant.
Stewart previously recounted the spontaneous ceremony during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," explaining that McKellen's ministry credentials were not valid in Nevada, where the wedding took place. As a result, they invited McKellen, two guests, and a theater director to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, where the ceremony was held.
The loss of Sir Patrick Stewart has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues worldwide. Sir Ian McKellen's tribute highlights a friendship that spanned both personal and professional milestones, leaving a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
