Kevin Feige, Hugh Jackman, Seth MacFarlane Remember Patrick Stewart: ‘This One Hurts’

Beyond his iconic roles on screen, Patrick Stewart has spent years using his voice and influence to make a difference in the lives of others.

From advocating for survivors of domestic violence and supporting refugees to fostering rescue dogs and standing up for human rights, his kindness has reached far beyond Hollywood.

A reminder that the greatest legacy isn’t always what we accomplish, but the lives we touch along the way.

via: Variety

The death of Sir Patrick Stewart has left Hollywood heartbroken as his co-stars, colleagues, and fellow actors recall rare encounters, days on set, and priceless advice the acting legend shared with them. Stewart’s career spanned decades with credits across more than five dozen films and over 50 television appearances, from X-Men and Star Trek to Dune and American Dad. His presence has lingered with the people he met on set as much as it has with those watching from home.

“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men,” Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said. “After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen onscreen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas. Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor. It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him. His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed.”

In a social media statement, Marvel Studios celebrated Stewart’s legacy as Professor Charles Xavier, saying he brought the character “to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from X-Men to Logan to Avengers: Doomsday. He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife, Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.”

Jonathan Frakes fondly remembered Stewart in a statement shared with Rolling Stone. “There is 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.” Frakes portrayed Commander William T. Riker opposite Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation and also starred in and directed follow-ups, including helming Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection.

George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek franchise, remembered his co-star on Threads. “Fans across the world mourn the passing of a true and irreplaceable legend,” Takei said. “As Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Patrick Stewart took the starship Enterprise to places it had never gone before, and 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.”

Creator Seth MacFarlane called on Stewart throughout his career to guest on his animated series Family Guy and American Dad, and cast him as a narrator for the film Ted. In a tribute shared on Instagram, MacFarlane wrote, “Patrick was 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.”

He added, “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. I remember exchanging emails with him a number of years ago when he was beginning day 1 of a new film.”

MacFarlane then shared a pivotal memory he has of Stewart, in which the actor said he always stepped onto a new set feeling like a novice. It stunned MarFarlane, who told him in response, “Patrick, if you feel that way, the rest of us are screwed.”

William Shatner described the news of Stewart’s death as “heartbreaking,” remembering the acting great as a friend and colleague. “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did,” Shatner said on X. “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 [Stewart’s wife] Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”

Hugh Jackman shared an old image with Stewart on Instagram, captioning the post, “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. 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.”

Kumail Nanjiani took to Bluesky to pay tribute, but found himself at a loss for words. “Sir Patrick Stewart was the best,” he wrote. “I don’t know what else I can say.” Jeri Ryan, who appeared in Star Trek: Picard, looked back on a number of memories with Stewart in photo form on Instagram, captioning the post, “Ouch. This one hurts. Rest well, Patrick.”

Bryan Batt, who appeared with Stewart in the 1995 film Jeffrey, shared a tribute on Instagram. “Heartbroken at the news of Sir Patrick’s passing. He was one of the most talented, kindest, and generous actors I’ve ever had the honor of working with,” he wrote. “I was lucky to play his lover in the film of Paul Rudnick’s JEFFREY. Even though I created the role onstage, it was my 1st film and needless to say I was a bit anxious. Patrick took me under his wing and guided me along, teaching me so much. A wonderful giving actor and true gentleman of the theatre. Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

A similarly heartbroken Cary Elwes wrote at length about Stewart in a tribute post. He first met the actor in 1984 on the set of Lady Jane. As he remembers, he “fell in love with him immediately. Not only was amiable and kind with a great sense of humor, he was incredible to work with.”

Elwes added, “His command of the screen with his sheer presence and that unmistakable voice was a sight to behold. Almost a decade later when Mel and I were discussing who should play King Richard in Men in Tights, I told him it has to be Patrick. Fortunately for us he accepted and once again shared his joy and talent with us all. My now shattered heart goes out to Sunny, his children, friends and fans, of which I will always be one. Good night, sweet Prince.”

Kyle MacLachlan, who made his made his Broadway debut in 2003 in Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker with Stewart, wrote: “My friend, we shared some memorable times … from the deserts of Arrakis to the mysterious jungles of Thailand and onto the New York stage.” MacLachlan also co-starred alongside Stewart in 2005’s Mysterious Island and the David Lynch-directed Dune in 1984. “I already miss you. You will always be my Gurney Halleck and I, your young pup,” said MacLachlan.

Isa Briones, who featured in Star Trek: Picard with the actor, began her tribute by addressing Stewart as “PStew” and “a lover of fresh produce and classic American Western songs. A man who even at 80 could recite every work of Shakespeare he’s ever done. A man who once handed me his drink so he could do five pull ups on the branch of a tree. A man with so much love and respect for his craft and fellow artists. One of the first people in this business to take a chance on me.” Briones added, “so grateful to have witnessed his greatness on and off the stage and screen.”

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi on the Star Trek: The Next Generation series and four Star Trek feature films, said, “I can’t imagine the world without him in it. It was the privilege of a lifetime to work with Patrick and having him as a friend was one of the greatest blessings of my life. My heart goes out to Sunny and the rest of his family.”