Longtime co-star Gates McFadden has shared a personal tribute following the death of Patrick Stewart, who passed away on Oct. 28 at the age of 85 in the arms of his wife, Sunny Ozell.
Reflecting on Stewart’s deep passion for the theater, McFadden wrote that while his passing was peaceful, she could easily imagine him wanting his final moments to occur on stage during a theatrical performance. Drawing a parallel to the legendary French playwright Molière, who died in front of an audience during a scene from “The Imaginary Invalid,” she imagined theatrical send-offs for Stewart in roles such as “A Christmas Carol” or “The Merchant of Venice,” noting that his portrayal of Shylock was among her favorite stage performances of his.
Following the announcement of Stewart’s death, the internet flooded with tributes honoring the actor. McFadden noted that Stewart’s global reach was massive, touching countless people not only through his work on stage and screen but also through his public conduct.
As the captain of the Enterprise crew, Stewart became a defining figure of ethical leadership for many viewers. McFadden contrasted Stewart’s portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard with contemporary leaders, emphasizing that Picard embodied eloquence, intellect, and seriousness. She observed that the widespread admiration for the character demonstrated humanity’s deep desire for principled leadership that inspires hope, fairness, and solutions to difficult problems.
While recognizing that Picard was the collaborative creation of Gene Roddenberry alongside the writers and producers of the franchise, McFadden credited Stewart with fulfilling that collective dream through his performance and public demeanor. She reflected on society’s need for heroes, suggesting that a lack of trustworthy leadership erodes public faith in institutions and lowers collective standards.
McFadden starred alongside Stewart for decades as Dr. Beverly Crusher. Their professional partnership spanned nearly the entire run of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” four feature films culminating in “Star Trek: Nemesis,” the third season of “Star Trek: Picard,” and cameo appearances in “Star Trek: Prodigy.”
Concluding her reflections, McFadden noted that for many admirers, the loss of Captain Jean-Luc Picard carries a profound emotional weight of its own, cementing a legacy that gave hope to people around the world.
