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Ian McKellen Pays Tribute to Close Friend Patrick Stewart: ‘He Wore His Heart on His Sleeve’
Ian McKellen has paid tribute to his close friend Patrick Stewart, who has died aged 86 after living with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia. McKellen remembered Stewart as an honest, dependable man proud of his Yorkshire roots, and praised the way he built a major stage career alongside international screen success.
The pair met as young actors at the Royal Shakespeare Company and became close while filming the 2000 film “X-Men”, playing Magneto and Professor X. Stewart went on to star in the “Star Trek” franchise and numerous films and plays; McKellen recalled advising him to consider the risks of taking the television role. They also performed together on stage, and McKellen officiated at Stewart’s 2013 wedding. Both appear in “Avengers: Doomsday”, due for release this December.
In short
- McKellen remembered Stewart’s honesty and Yorkshire roots.
- The actors became close while making “X-Men”.
- Both are set to appear in “Avengers: Doomsday”.
Explained simply
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart were British actors whose careers spanned theatre, television and film. They met while working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, a theatre company known for performing Shakespeare, and became close friends after appearing together in the 2000 film X-Men.
Stewart became widely known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and for a long career on stage. McKellen has also had leading roles in theatre and major films, including the X-Men series, where the two actors played rivals.
Their friendship continued beyond their shared work: McKellen officiated at Stewart’s wedding in 2013. Their careers connect British theatre with internationally popular screen franchises, and they are both due to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.