Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men legend, dies at 86 after dementia battle
The actor passed away in his wife's care after a short diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia.
By Isabel Moretti ·
Patrick Stewart, the British actor who commanded Starfleet in Star Trek: The Next Generation and played Professor X in the X-Men films, died on Thursday. He was 86 years old.
His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, announced the news on social media. The statement said Stewart died while in the care of his wife, Sunny. It described his final months as a brief and poignant journey through two forms of dementia.
Bush Novak wrote that Stewart was surrounded by family, friends, live music, and prayer at the end. She noted that he displayed a peaceful ease and reflection on his face. The statement called this an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.
The actor suffered from Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies Alzheimer's as the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive condition with no cure that starts with mild memory loss and worsens over time.
Lewy body dementia affects movement, behavior, thinking, and mood. It is unclear when Stewart first received these diagnoses.
Stewart’s career spanned decades in theater, television, and film. He is best known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Charles Xavier.
Source: WIL-FM
