Legendary X-Men, Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart dies at 86

Sir Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed British actor best known for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 86, his family announced Thursday.

Stewart died following a battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, according to a statement shared on his official social media accounts.

The actor's distinctive voice, commanding presence and decades of work across theater, television and film made him one of Britain's most recognizable performers. Although he established himself as a respected Shakespearean actor, Stewart achieved worldwide fame through two of science fiction's most celebrated franchises.