William Shatner paid tribute to Patrick Stewart, who succeeded him as captain of a Star Trek franchise, following the actor’s death at the age of 86.
Stewart, who portrayed Captain Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, died just days after actor Walter
Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series starring Shatner as Captain Kirk.
“What a heartbreaking week it has been,” Shatner wrote on social media, alluding to Koenig’s death as well. “Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor. From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.”
Stewart’s Picard and Shatner’s Kirk eventually shared the screen together in 1994’s Star Trek: Generations, a passing-of-the-torch film that served as a cinematic send-off for the original Star Trek cast and a welcoming of The Next Generation crew to the big screen.
“Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him,” Shatner added. “I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work. My heart goes out to [Stewart’s wife] Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.”
Stewart died following “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and lewy body dementia,” a statement on his official social media accounts read. “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.”
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