Ian McKellen pays tribute to longtime friend Patrick Stewart: ‘He wore his heart on his sleeve’

Ian McKellen paid an emotional tribute to his longtime friend and X-Men co-star Patrick Stewart, remembering the actor not only for his remarkable career but also for the honesty, warmth, and affection that made him deeply admired and loved. 

Patrick died at his home in Los Angeles on October 28 at the age of 86, following what his family described as a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.”

In an Instagram post, Ian looked back on their friendship, which began more than five decades ago and described how deeply his friend remained connected to his roots. 

“Before everything else, Patrick was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire, the proud county in the north of England which he loved to the end. You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt. Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues.” 

“He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love,” Ian maintained. 

The two have been friends since over five decades ago when they were both young actors working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

Ian recalled one of their early conversations, saying: “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?’”. 

Patrick eventually accepted the role of Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek that introduced him to a worldwide audience and made him an icon.  

Looking back, Ian expressed gratitude that his friend took the opportunity, noting how Patrick went on to build a successful film career while continuing to work in theater. 

“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,” he said.  

Patrick eventually made America his home, where he met his wife, Sunny Ozell. However, Ian said his friend never lost his connection to Yorkshire, pointing to his appointment as Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield as one of his proudest accomplishments.  

Ian ended his tribute by referring to Patrick’s “farewell performance” in the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for release in December 2026.  

Beyond their decades-long friendship, Ian and Patrick became widely recognized for portraying two iconic rivals in the X-Men franchise. Patrick played Professor Charles Xavier, while Ian took on the role of Magneto. 

Their friendship also extended beyond their work in film. Ian officiated Patrick’s 2013 wedding to Sunny, and the two actors were known for their affectionate public appearances, including sharing kisses on the lips at red carpet events. 

Following Patrick’s passing, fellow actors and colleagues also shared messages remembering the late performer, including Hugh Jackman, Marvel Studios, and William Shatner, among others.