(KRON) -- Sir Patrick Stewart, the venerated English actor who rose to fame playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," has died, according to a statement from his family. Stewart passed away at his home in Los Angeles following a "brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, his family said.
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"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," his family said in a statement. "We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace."
Marvel Studios released a statement about Stewart's passing.
"All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart," the statement posted to social media reads. "Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from 'X-Men' to 'Logan' to “Avengers: Doomsday.' He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art."
Stewart, who hailed from Mirfield, Yorkshire, England attended the Royal Shakespeare Company and carved out a career in TV, film and theater that spanned six decades. In addition to "Star Trek," he starred in several "X-Men" movies and voiced characters on "American Dad" and "Family Guy."
After starring in the initial run of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" on TV from 1987 to 1994, Stewart reprised his role as Picard on the big screen for a succession of "Star Trek" films. He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in 2010 for his services to dram, according to his IMDB bio.
Actors Patrick Stewart, left, and William Shatner attend the Star Trek: The Next Generation Reunion Event at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, IL on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP)
Stewart's fellow "Star Trek" captain, William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original series, paid tribute to the late actor in a social media post.
"Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor," Shatner wrote. "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," Shatner added. "My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed."
Patrick Stewart is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and two children, Sophie Stewart and Daniel Stewart. The actor was 86.
