McKellen on Stewart: A friendship begun over 50 years ago
Patrick Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles at 86 after what his spokesperson described as a 'brief and poignant journey' with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
By Trevor Wilson ·
Sir Ian McKellen posted a lengthy tribute Thursday to fellow actor Patrick Stewart, who died the day before at his Los Angeles home.
McKellen's account traces the relationship back to their twenties, when both were starting out with the Royal Shakespeare Company more than 50 years ago. He described urging Stewart to think twice before committing to the role in Star Trek that would take him to America. 'But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk, getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?' McKellen recalled asking. Stewart took the part, and McKellen wrote that its success carried him across film, television and theater. The two actors later appeared together in the X-Men films.
Stewart's spokesperson announced the death on social media Thursday. The statement said Stewart died Wednesday after a 'brief and poignant journey' with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. He was 86.
McKellen wrote about Stewart's upbringing in Yorkshire and about how he carried himself. 'He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love,' he wrote.
One part of Stewart's screen work remains unseen. 'His farewell performance in "Avengers: Doomsday" is yet to be seen,' McKellen wrote.
Source: WIL-FM
