Patrick Stewart is an eminent British stage and screen actor, who graces the Guinness World Records as the longest-standing performer of the role of Professor Charles Francis Xavier in the series of “X-Men” projects. His portrayal of the superhero Jean-Luc Picard in the Marvel series “Star Trek” has been endeared by fans for many years. Knighted by Queen Elizabeth, he is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. The stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company holds a special place in his heart, a lifelong passion.
Patrick Stewart
Childhood and Early Life
Born in the summer of 1940, Patrick emerged as the third child to Gladys Barrow, a weaver, and Alfred Stewart, a regimental sergeant major. His brothers, Geoffrey and Trevor, were respectively fifteen and five years his senior.
Patrick Stewart with his mother in childhood
The family lived a life marked by poverty, with his father serving in the British army from the outset of World War II and suffering from mental health issues. His post-traumatic stress disorder, which revealed itself in aggressive behaviour towards his own children, particularly the youngest Patrick, was a consequence of Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk.
Patrick Stewart Talks About His Father
The majority of the boy's childhood unfolded in the small town of Jarrow, followed by his education at the Church School in Crowley. At the age of eleven, he was transferred to a school in Mirfield where the shy and introverted boy was noticed by Cecil Dormand, a literature teacher and drama club organizer. A fervent devotee of William Shakespeare, he encouraged this same passion in his pupils. This marked Patrick's first encounter with Shakespearean monologues, leading him to enrol in a drama course in Mytholmroyd where he met his first true friend, Brian Blessed. Their childhood friendship continues to this day.
Patrick Stewart in his school years
When Patrick decided to quit school at the age of fifteen, Dormand inquired if he had ever contemplated a career as a professional actor. The teenager merely laughed it off, believing that such a profession was inaccessible to people from his background, and became a reporter for a local newspaper. However, the idea of acting took root in Patrick's mind and he started taking private lessons from a well-known actress for four years, subsequently enrolling in a theatre institute.
This was made possible by the local authorities from his birthplace who funded Stewart's education in the theatrical institution. He won a scholarship, a feat that was practically a lifeline for the young man. Patrick later confessed that he could scarcely believe his eyes when a brown envelope, containing an invitation to study, was delivered to his house by the postman. Since then, the actor has always trusted in his good fortune.
Young Patrick Stewart on stage
Patrick made his professional theatre debut on the Lincoln stage at the age of nineteen. He was accepted into a troupe, he started getting new roles, and he also began to earn additional income from televised plays. For different roles, the actor had to wear wigs because he had begun to lose his hair a year before his debut. This was a cause of concern for the young actor, but his work diverted his thoughts from the fear of being unattractive to women.
Acting Career
Patrick's talent was recognized by the Royal Shakespeare Company in the mid-sixties, and he was invited to join the main ensemble. There, he shared the stage with distinguished actors such as Helen Mirren, Ian Richardson, and Ben Kingsley.
Young Patrick Stewart
Over the span of more than a quarter-century, Stewart remained loyal to his theater, taking on roles in productions like "King Lear," "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing," and "Macbeth." These plays, broadcast on television and featuring Patrick, left a lasting impression on viewers; notable ones include "Antony and Cleopatra," "I, Claudius," and "Fall of Eagles."
Patrick Stewart in the 1970s
In the mid-seventies, Stewart was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in 1975. His performance as Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice" consistently enthralled the London audience, earning him resounding applause. However, Stewart's favorite play was "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," a performance for which critics lavished praise, hailing his performance as exceptional. Concurrently, Stewart maintained a presence in television series and films.
Patrick Stewart doing Shakespeare in 1969
Stewart's first significant screen recognition came with the release of David Lynch's "Dune," where he played the role of Gurney Halleck. In the eighties, Stewart graced the screen in several roles such as Dr. Armstrong in "Lifeforce," and Henry Grey in the historical drama, "Lady Jane."
Patrick Stewart in Dune
A serendipitous turn of events forever changed his career. As Stewart recalled, he arrived in Los Angeles to conduct a masterclass on Shakespeare and the art of drama. An unexpected call from his Hollywood agent announced that Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the iconic "Star Trek," wished to meet him.
I was in shock: Of course, I knew about the legendary creator of 'Star Trek,' like everyone else, but what could he possibly want from me? It turned out, one of the co-producers (Robert Justman) and his wife attended my lecture and were so impressed that they immediately called Gene. After four auditions, I was offered the lead role - Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
The actor was in a quandary; his acquiescence signified a six-year commitment to relocating from London to the States, a prospect to which he was utterly unprepared. Yet, Patrick agreed, secretly harbouring hopes that the project would flop with the debut episode, granting him a guilt-free return home. But his 'cunning' plans were destined not to bear fruit, and Stewart was retained in the franchise for nearly thirty years, culminating with the release of the tenth "Star Trek: Nemesis".
Simultaneously, the iconic captain participated in other intriguing projects. When introduced to director Bryan Singer in 1997 on the set of Richard Donner's political thriller "Conspiracy Theory", Singer, embarking on the production of the sci-fi film "X-Men", instantly recognised him as the protagonist of the popular comic, Charles Xavier. To Patrick's bewilderment, he had never been fond of comics; his passion lay in stagecraft. Yet, the offer intrigued him, and as Stewart admitted, he embarked on the "most amusing exploration of a role" in his acting career.
As it transpired, the director held a completely different vision for the lead character, rendering Stewart's character research redundant. The filming process enthralled him, introducing him to intriguing personalities. Some, such as Ian McKellen (Magneto), ultimately became true friends of Stewart.
Ian McKellen & Patrick Stewart on Envy, Star Trek Costumes & the Gandalf Face
A year Patrick's senior and openly gay, this did not pose a barrier to the camaraderie between two sophisticated individuals with similar tastes and perspectives on life. At times, when excessively pestered by journalists, the actors would playfully exaggerate their affection for the cameras.
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen
The film "X-Men", despite critics' presumptions of inevitable failure, attained tremendous popularity. An exceptionally talented ensemble accomplished the unimaginable: the franchise, akin to "Star Trek", spanned numerous years. The Briton attributes the film's success to its emphasis not merely on the mutants' fantastical abilities, but more so as a parable of tolerance towards those who deviate from the norm.
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In 2019, the actor, then 79 years old, delighted fans with two new roles: Merlin in Joe Cornish's British fantasy "The Kid Who Would Be King" and John Bosley in the comedic action film "Charlie's Angels" by Elizabeth Banks. As the latter film starred famed American actress Kristen Stewart, some viewers began to speculate about a familial relation between the actors. However, besides their shared surname, there are no familial ties between Patrick and Kristen.
Patrick Stewart's Personal Life
Despite concerns about early-onset alopecia, Patrick married choreographer Sheila Falconer in 1966. Before long, the couple welcomed their heirs - son Daniel and daughter Sophia.
The family had to reconcile with the fact that they hardly saw their father, who was always at work. His earnings from the theatre allowed Stewart to provide his wife and children with a life in a small house in the suburbs of London and the ability to send Daniel and Sophia to private school.
Patrick Stewart, his first wife Sheila Falconer, and their children
Incidentally, after finishing school, Daniel Stewart also became an actor, appearing alongside his father in an episode of "Star Trek" and in the thriller "Death Train".
As soon as Patrick became a fan favourite, taking on the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, his wife Sheila's patience ran out. After nearly twenty-five years of marriage, she filed for divorce.
Patrick Stewart 1998 Interview
The actor lived alone for several years, and in 1994, he met Wendy Neuss, the producer of their joint TV project. Their relationship progressed at a leisurely pace, culminating in a wedding in 2000. However, Patrick and Wendy remained married for only three years.
Patrick Stewart and Wendy Neuss
The reason for their parting, according to tabloids, was actress Lisa Dillon, who was rumoured to have had a long affair with Stewart, despite a forty-year age difference.
Patrick Stewart and Lisa Dillon
Five years later, Patrick seriously considered marrying Sunny Ozell, a singer-songwriter and an admirer of the classical theatre school. In 2008, she came to watch Patrick's performance in "Macbeth".
Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell
Five years of relationship ended with a marriage ceremony conducted by Ian McKellen. The couple settled in their own home in one of the neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
The wedding of Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell
In 2017, a pet joined the family - a pit bull named Ginger. Sunny first took the dog in as a foster, but then, having grown very attached to the pooch, the couple decided to keep her in the house permanently.
Patrick Stewart with his pet
Patrick Stewart Now
2020 marked a milestone for the actor. He turned 80. Despite his advanced age and rheumatism, Patrick appeared lively and fit in the series "Star Trek: Picard", which ran from 2020 to 2023.
During the forced self-isolation, the actor dedicated his time to fans of his beloved William Shakespeare. On his Instagram, he held daily online readings of the great works. His charisma and penetrating voice evoked many admirations and thanks for introducing them to the timeless and beautiful language of Shakespeare.
At the end of 2020, Patrick Stewart also briefly returned to the role of Professor Xavier in the sequel to "Doctor Strange". The film was released in May 2022.
