Patrick Stewart's cause of death has been confirmed.
The British actor, best known for portraying Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" film franchise, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his Los Angeles home following a "brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia," according to a statement shared on his social media Thursday. He was 86.
"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. We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace,"
the statement read.
Outside his legacy in film and television, he also had an acclaimed decades-long stage career.
"His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre. He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise," the statement continued.
What is Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia, also known as LBD, is the second most common form of progressive dementia behind Alzheimer's disease. Both conditions can coexist.
Lewy body dementia develops when abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain, interfering with functions such as memory, thinking and movement, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with the condition may experience hallucinations, muscle stiffness, difficulty moving and periods of confusion or reduced alertness.
Other famous names have also suffered from Lewy body dementia, including the late comic and actor Robin Williams and baseball legend Tom Seaver as well as CNN founder Ted Turner, who died in May after battling the condition.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander and Liza Esquibias, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Stewart's cause of death revealed after actor dies at 86
