Hugh Jackman is mourning the loss of his longtime “X-Men” star and friend Patrick Stewart, who died Wednesday at the age of 86 after a “brief battle” with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia.
“Today we lost one of the best of stage and screen,” Jackman wrote on Instagram. “And an amazing friend and man in my book. I learned so much from him. I will miss you all my days, Patrick Stewart.”
Jackman and Stewart memorably portrayed Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier in many “X-Men” films, including 2000’s “X-Men”, 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand”, 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, 2013’s “The Wolverine” and 2017’s “Logan”. Stewart also appeared in Marvel’s 2022 sequel “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and will reprise his role as Magneto alongside close friend Ian McKellen in this December’s “Avengers: Doomsday.” It’s unclear whether Wolverine will return for the superhero sequel.
“Hugh and I were so excited when the last thing we did for ‘X-Men’ was ‘Logan,'” Stewart said. Diversity “It was the best ‘X-Men’ experience either of us had ever had because we were the same characters, but their worlds were shattered.”
Jackman was among the many boldfacers who paid tribute to Stewart, whose 60-year career includes such notable roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on “Star Trek.” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige described the legendary actor as “intelligent, charming, warm, generous, with quiet strength and dignity.” William Shatner, her fellow USS Enterprise captain on “Star Trek,” praised her for “bringing intelligence, grace and a deep sense of humanity to everything she does.”