Celebrities React to Patrick Stewart’s Death: Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman and More Pay Tribute

Hollywood lost a legend in Sir Patrick Stewart and his former costars and fellow celebrities felt his death deeply.

The English actor’s family confirmed he died on Wednesday, October 28, at the age of 86 at his home in Los Angeles following “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia,” according to his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak.

Novak shared in a statement that Stewart “has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all. We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”

Following his death, the Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men star was honored by his close friends and fans, including Hugh Jackman, William Shatner and Elizabeth Banks.

Scroll down to see who has paid tribute to the late actor:

Hugh Jackman

Jackman worked with Stewart in the X-Men universe, paying homage to him via Instagram on Thursday.

“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today,” the Wolverine star wrote, sharing two photos of his time with Stewart. “And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”

William Shatner

“What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor,” Shatner, who played Captain Kirk alongside Stewart’s Captain Picard on Star Trek, wrote via Instagram. “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.”

He continued, “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. My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”

George Takei

Takei was part of Star Trek: The Original Series, leading the way for Stewart and his costars on Star Trek: The Next Generation. While they did act together, Takei praised the late actor for his work within the franchise.

“Fans across the world mourn the passing of a true and irreplaceable legend. As Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Patrick Stewart took the starship Enterprise to places it had never gone before,” he wrote via Bluesky. “He inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity. Our hearts are heavy, indeed. Rest in the heavens, Captain.”

Lea Thompson

“This astonishing actor was kind enough to take a chance on me as a director. Always hardworking, intelligent and so very good you could play the whole scene on him,” Thompson wrote via Threads. “Patrick Stewart was indeed a Sir. To sir with love. #rip you were one of a kind.”

Piers Morgan

“RIP Sir Patrick Stewart, 86. Wonderful actor, an amusing and intelligent character, and a Yorkshireman to his bootstraps,” the English journalist wrote via X. “Persuaded me to switch from PG Tips tea to Yorkshire Gold, for which I will be forever grateful. ‘Strong and flavourful,’ he told me over breakfast. Like the man himself.”

Stan Lee

“Rest in peace, Sir Patrick Stewart … you will be greatly missed by the world,” Lee tweeted alongside a photo of the pair.

Seth MacFarlane

MacFarlane penned a heartfelt tribute via X, honoring his former costar as “one of those icons who we somehow all took for granted would always be with us.”

“I grew up as a fan, and was later gifted the privilege of becoming a colleague and friend, working with him for many years on American Dad!, Family Guy and Ted,” he wrote. “He was that rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it, making a good writer sound great, and a great writer sound masterful. He was also as humble as they come.”

MacFarlane continued, “I remember exchanging emails with him a number of years ago when he was beginning day 1 of a new film. He commented to me that he always walked onto a new set feeling like the biggest novice there. My stunned reaction was the same as anyone’s would be. I said, ‘Patrick, if you feel that way, the rest of us are screwed.’”

He concluded, “We have lost a legendary actor today, and for many of us, a good friend. He will be deeply missed by the entire planet.”

Elizabeth Banks

“Patrick Stewart is a legend. His acting talent was not only innate but built from his professionalism, his dedication to craft, his enthusiasm, his generosity, his gentlemanly way of being,” Banks gushed via Instagram. “He was mischievous and game, always made me laugh and always made a day better. He leaves a treasure trove of work behind and I’m so grateful he came to play with me on Charlie’s Angels. Rest peacefully Patrick. Sending love.”

Ricky Gervais

“RIP Patrick Stewart. What an actor. I still can’t believe he agreed to do this scene,” Gervais wrote via X, sharing a clip of the late actor making him laugh on set. “And he didn’t even mind when I ruined every take. Legend.”

Wil Wheaton

Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: Next Generation, shared a photo with Stewart from their time on the show. “Godspeed, Captain,” he captioned the social media post.

Jonathan Frakes

Frakes, who portrayed commander Will Riker, released a statement via Variety on Thursday that read, “There’s no one on this planet that I have acted with or directed more often than my late great friend Patrick Stewart. He will be with me forever. May he rest in Peace.”

Robert Griffin III

The former NFL player tweeted, “Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of Sir Patrick Stewart, who has passed away at the age of 86. Rest in Peace Professor X 🙏🏾.”

Ryan Reynolds

“Talent and kindness that spanned across time, space, and the universe. Travel easy, Sir Patrick,” the Deadpool star wrote in the comments section of Stewart’s death announcement.

Minnie Driver

“Is this year some kind of portal to a much, much better place that all the greatest people know about and so have gently made their exits?” Driver asked via an Instagram tribute to her friend. “Dearest Patrick. Who always had the best advice, the funniest story, the patience to listen. I’m just bereft. All love to your family, and you, in my heart forever. #sirpatrickstewart.”

Rebecca Romijn

“I just heard about the very sad news about the passing of my dear friend Patrick Stewart. I feel so grateful to have known him for the last 25 years and to have been in his orbit for the last 25 years both as a fellow Mutant and as a fellow member of Star Fleet,” Romijn said in an Instagram video. “He was positively delicious, hilarious, naughty, [with an] incredible sense of humor and that booming voice of his that always spoke to the very back of the room as every classically trained Shakespearean great needs to master, has always been an inspiration. I want to send my condolences to his family and I’ll miss my friend dearly. Rest in peace, Patrick.”

Sir Ian McKellen

Stewart’s longtime friend and frequent collaborator, Ian McKellen, honored the late actor with a heartfelt Instagram post.

“He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love,” McKellen wrote, as he reflected on his friend’s origins, character, career success and more.

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Anson Mount

Anson Mount, who played Captain Pike in the TV series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, shared a lengthy tribute to Stewart via Instagram.

“I didn’t know Patrick incredibly well, but I always knew him to be generous and gracious to a fault,” he wrote.

He added, “Patrick had presence, generosity and good grace to spare and along with an incredible intellect, he brought those qualities not only to Jean Luc, but into a lived integrity that made him an exemplar for lost, young actors looking for a way… I’ll always love him for it.”