Ian McKellen pays tribute to Patrick Stewart
The actor recalls their 50-year friendship and Stewart's decision to leave theater for Star Trek.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
Patrick Stewart died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home at age 86, according to a statement from his spokesperson released Thursday on social media.
The spokesperson said Stewart passed away after a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Ian McKellen posted a lengthy tribute to his longtime friend on Instagram Thursday. McKellen and Stewart first met more than 50 years ago as young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
McKellen recalled advising the young actor not to risk his established stage career in the United Kingdom by moving to Hollywood. He quoted himself asking, But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?
Stewart accepted the role in Star Trek, a decision McKellen called a risk that benefited them all. The tribute highlighted Stewart's Yorkshire roots and his personal character, noting that he wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.
McKellen also mentioned Stewart's final film appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, which has yet to be seen by audiences.
