Sir Ian McKellen has paid a touching tribute to his late friend and fellow actor Sir Patrick Stewart, remembering him as "a good man" who was always looking to make the world a better place.
Sir Ian McKellen. Magicfoto, Shutterstock
The Lord Of The Rings star made the comments during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where he was promoting his latest film, Ebenezer, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
Reflecting on Stewart, who recently passed away aged 86, McKellen spoke about the qualities he remembered most about his longtime friend.
"I just remember his friendship [...] a good man, serious-minded," he said.
"Always looking to make the world a better place and he achieved that."
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The pair shared a friendship spanning more than five decades, having first met as young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1970s.
However, it was their work together on the X-Men franchise that brought them particularly close.
McKellen played Magneto, while Stewart portrayed Professor Charles Xavier, with the two characters famously finding themselves on opposing sides throughout the films.
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Their friendship extended well beyond the screen, with the pair also sharing the stage in productions of Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot and Harold Pinter's No Man's Land.
The two actors were also set to reunite once again in Avengers: Doomsday, reprising their famous X-Men roles.
The upcoming Marvel film will mark Stewart's final screen appearance, with McKellen previously referring to it as his friend's farewell performance.
McKellen has previously spoken about the special place Stewart held in his life, describing him as a man he could rely on, admire and love.
He among the stars paying tribute to Sir Patrick Stewart after he passed back in late October.
The legendary actor died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, following what his spokesman Kelly Bush Novak described as a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia”.
Sir Ian McKellen described him as “the most respected and beloved actor of his generation”.
@actorevolution Patrick Stewart | Filmography Tribute #captainpicard #charlesxavier #startrek #xmen #patrickstewart ♬ original sound - Actor Evolution
McKellen said: “He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and, in my case, love.”
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Hugh Jackman, who also appeared alongside Stewart in the X-Men franchise, remembered him as a “tremendous friend and man”.
“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today,” he said.
@connor18hayes RIP Sir Patrick Stewart #patrickstewart #marvelstudios #doomsday #xmen #professorx ♬ original sound - Connor Hayes
Marvel Studios also expressed its sadness at the news, describing Stewart as “a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman”.
Other tributes have come from across the entertainment world, including his Star Trek co-stars William Shatner and George Takei.
William Shatner. Editorial credit: Euan Cherry, Shutterstock
Shatner, who played Captain James T Kirk, said Stewart brought “intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did”.
“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,” he added.
"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. Editorial credit: S Bukley, Shutterstock
Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek series, said Stewart had “inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity”.
Comedian Ricky Gervais, who appeared alongside Stewart in the BBC series Extras in 2005, also remembered him as a “legend”.
Born in Yorkshire in 1940, Stewart began his acting career on the stage, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. His performances included King John, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Henry IV.
The company described him as “a colossus of both stage and screen” and remembered him as “one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation”, adding that his contribution was “beyond measure”.
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He went on to build an extensive career across film, television and theatre, including appearances on Broadway.
However, it was his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) that made him an international star. He reprised the character in several films and later returned for Star Trek: Picard, which ran from 2020 to 2023.
He was also widely recognised for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films between 2000 and 2017.
@straitstimes We'll miss you, Sir Patrick Stewart. 😭 The beloved British actor, known for his roles as Captain Picard in Star Trek and Professor X in X-Men, died at the age of 86 after a brief battle with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. #PatrickStewart #SirPatrickStewart #XMen #StarTrek #StraitsTimes ♬ original sound - The Straits Times
His other screen credits included Safe House, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and the 1984 film Dune.
Away from acting, Stewart was a lifelong supporter of English Football League club Huddersfield Town.
The club described him as a “titan of his craft”, paying tribute to his connection to his Yorkshire roots.
“Fiercely proud of his Yorkshire roots, Sir Patrick was a Terrier in every sense, and we're proud to have counted him as one of our own,” it said, adding that his legacy would live on.
