How SNL Paid Tribute to Patrick Stewart Days After His Death
William Shatner, Hugh Jackman and More Stars Pay Tribute to Patrick Stewart After Death
Live from New York, it's Patrick Stewart's legacy.
Days after the Star Trek alum died at age 86 following a brief battle with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, Saturday Night Live honored him on Oct. 31 by reairing a clip from his 1994 hosting stint.
After Gracie Abrams' second performance during the Inde Navarrette-hosted Halloween episode—in which she performed her song "Here You Come, There You Go," while dressed as Leonardo DiCaprio's Romeo from Baz Lurhmann's Romeo + Juliet—the NBC show shared a throwback of Stewart announcing his musical guest.
The then-53-year-old—whose enthusiastic introduction would live long and prosper for years to come—told the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, Salt-N-Pepa!"
And fans didn't need telepathy to see how much the X-Men star loved his contribution to the sketch comedy. In fact, he embraced the moment while celebrating SNL's 50th anniversary in February 2025 with a clip of himself in a Salt-N-Pepa T-shirt recreating the moment.
He captioned the video, "Ladies and gentlemen, IYKYK."
Though Stewart privately battled dementia and LBD—a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with abnormal protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies—in his final days, he continued being the mighty good man he was known to be.
"He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role - in his art and life," his family's Oct. 29 Instagram post read. "His professional accomplishments were humbly matched by his philanthropy and activism on behalf of human rights, survivors of domestic violence, global refugees, veterans' mental health services, and animal welfare, particularly his cherished foster pitties."
Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
And as he reached the final frontier, Stewart—who leaves behind wife Sunny Ozell, as well as his and ex-wife Sheila Falconer's kids Daniel, 59, and Sophie, 54—spent his final moments surrounded by loved ones.
"He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all," the statement noted. "We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace."
To see how more celebs honored Stewart, keep reading.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Ian McKellan
"We first met as ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago but we weren’t in the same productions. My first strong memory was a few years later, meeting him in the street in central London when he told me about an offer to take over a leading part in Star Trek. 'But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk—getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?' Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did for not just his devoted Trekkies but film and theatre audiences, who marvelled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes (X-Men of course) and in great classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett at Stratford-upon-Avon, in London’s West End and on Broadway."
Hugh Jackman/Instagram
Hugh Jackman
"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."
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
Seth MacFarlane
"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, working with him for many years on American Dad!, Family Guy, and Ted. 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. He commented to me that he always walked onto a new set feeling like the biggest novice there. My stunned reaction was the same as anyone’s would be. I said, 'Patrick, if you feel that way, the rest of us are screwed.' We have lost a legendary actor today, and for many of us, a good friend. He will be deeply missed by the entire planet."
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
William Shatner
"What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor. From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he 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."
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images
Rebecca Romijn
"I feel so grateful to have known him for the last 25 years and to have been in his orbit for the last 25 years, both as a fellow 'mutant' and as a fellow member of Starfleet. He was positively delicious, hilarious, naughty, incredible sense of humor, and that booming voice of his that always spoke to the very back of the room—as every classically trained Shakespearean great needs to master—has always been an Inspiration. I'm gonna send my condolences to his family, and I'll miss my friend dearly. Rest in peace, Patrick."
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Kyle MacLachlan
"My friend, we shared some memorable times…from the deserts of Arrakis to the mysterious jungles of Thailand and onto the New York stage. I already miss you. You will always be my Gurney Halleck and I, your young pup."
Elizabeth Banks/Instagram
Elizabeth Banks
"Patrick Stewart is a legend. His acting talent was not only innate but built from his professionalism, his dedication to craft, his enthusiasm, his generosity, his gentlemanly way of being. He was mischievous and game, always made me laugh and always made a day better. He leaves a treasure trove of work behind and I’m so grateful he came to play w me on Charlie’s Angels. Rest peacefully Patrick. Sending love."
Peter Facinelli/X
Peter Facinelli
"Patrick Stewart was one of the greats, not just because of his extraordinary talent, but because of the man he was. It was a privilege to work alongside him and an even greater pleasure to know him personally. He was loved by all and will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."
Jody Cortes/Shutterstock
Wil Wheaton
"Godspeed, Captain."
Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
Kim Cattrall
"Dearest Patrick. Such sad news and a huge loss for us all. RIP."
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Isa Briones
"PStew, lover of fresh produce and classic american western songs. a man who even at 80 could recite every work of shakespear[e] 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. so grateful to have witnessed his greatness on and off the stage and screen. rest in peace."
George Rose/Getty Images
Jonathan Frakes
"Rest in peace my friend."
Trae Patton/Paramount+
Michelle Hurd
"Thank you, Pstew, for being my friend, for being so kind and generous with your heart, for being so funny and vulnerable, and for being so talented and inspiring. Getting cast as Raffi on Star Trek Picard has been a gift that keeps on giving, but the best part was meeting YOU, working with you, and becoming your friend. I am, and always will be, grateful for this amazing experience and adventure we shared. I love you and will miss you, my dear sweet friend. The world lost a great one today... Rest now, Captain, my captain."
Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Paramount+
Jeri Ryan
"Ouch. This one hurts. Rest well, Patrick."
Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Dafne Keen
"He was such a kind, genuine, funny, unique, caring and charming man. I remember his endless jokes, nurturing nature and colourful reading glasses. Every single day spent working by his side was an honour and a privilege I can’t quite believe I had. He was a walking master of his craft, and of life. One of the greatest of our time, on stage and on screen. I have always looked up to him, and always will. As an actor and as a man. He had a wonderful way of wrapping every ancient lesson he imparted in wonder, fun and excitement. I will always remember his warmth and the respect he showed to everyone around him. I will forever hold those months we spent together close to my heart, and will always think of him as a pivotal part of how I view the world around me. So rest in peace, you giant, you legend amongst men. The beautiful work, humanity and kindness you leave behind will live on forever."
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
George Takei
"Fans across the world mourn the passing of a true and irreplaceable legend. 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."
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