British actor Sir Patrick Stewart died at 86 at his Los Angeles home

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British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, known for his Shakespearean stage work and portrayals of Enterprise captain Jean-Luc Picard and mutant headmaster Professor Charles Xavier in the “Star Trek” and “X-Men” franchises, has died at 86. His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, said Stewart died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home with his wife, Sunny, at his side, following what a statement described as a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Stewart’s career spanned six decades across stage, film and television. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed on Broadway. Stewart began playing Picard in 1987 on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Marvel Studios said it was deeply saddened by his death and called him “a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman.” Colleagues, including “Star Trek” co-star Jonathan Frakes, also paid tribute.