Patrick Stewart dies at 86 after stage and screen career
Why it matters: Stewart spent seven decades moving from the Royal Shakespeare Company to 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men.'
Patrick Stewart, the British actor whose career stretched from Shakespeare to science fiction blockbusters, has died at 86. Stewart built a seven-decade career on stage and screen, becoming widely known as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films while maintaining a major reputation in classical theater. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and later worked at the National Theatre. Born in Yorkshire, Stewart left school at 15, briefly worked as a journalist and obituary writer on the Dewsbury Reporter, then chose acting full time. He received multiple awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.