Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men icon, dies at 86

British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, famed for playing Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek” and Professor X in “X-Men,” has died at 86.

His spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, said in a statement reported by NBC News that he died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, “in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.”

Born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, Stewart joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 and made his Broadway debut in 1971. He played Picard for seven seasons on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and in “Star Trek: Picard.” He was knighted in 2010.

Hugh Jackman wrote: “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man.”

Ian McKellen said Stewart “wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”

Marvel Studios said it was “deeply saddened” by his passing.