Sir Patrick Stewart died at age 86 on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, according to a statement released by longtime spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak to PEOPLE. Novak announced that the actor passed away in the loving care of his wife Sunny, following a brief journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
The Passing of a Screen Icon in Los Angeles
Novak stated that the actor spent his final moments 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.
The family acknowledged the peaceful ease on his face as an enduring reminder of his grace.
Regret Over Distant Family Relationships
In the years leading up to his death, Stewart voiced profound grief regarding his estrangement from his two children, Daniel, 59, and Sophie, 54, whom he shared with his ex-wife Sheila Falconer. During a 2023 interview with the Irish Independent, the actor admitted that his relationship with his adult children was practically non-existent. He shared that not a day goes by
without being pained by the memory of who his children were and his own lack of influence on them.
Career Obsession Traded for Family Time
Stewart openly blamed his intense focus on his profession for the distance between himself and his offspring. I always put my acting work first, before my family,
he explained to the outlet. He admitted he could have been a better parent when his kids were little because he was obsessed with his work. Stewart and Falconer split in 1990, after which the actor married Wendy Neuss from 2000 to 2003, and subsequently wed Sunny Ozell in 2013.
Stewart Reflects on Past Parenting Mistakes
Despite past estrangements, Stewart noted that his children appeared to have forgiven him, and he actively tried to correct past mistakes with his grandchildren. Reflecting on earlier years in a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, the actor recalled that becoming a dad was marvelous, noting that when his daughter Sophie was born, he took over the job of being mom and dad while her mother performed in musicals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patrick Stewart
What caused the death of Sir Patrick Stewart?
Longtime spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak stated that Stewart died following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
A statement announcing the death of Sir Patrick Stewart says the actor died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family. The statement says Stewart had been living with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. His wife, Sunny, was by his side. https://t.co/9jBAc3xf5u pic.twitter.com/AOGEHiQ7CQ
Who were Patrick Stewart’s spouses?
Stewart was married three times: first to Sheila Falconer until their 1990 split, then to Wendy Neuss from 2000 to 2003, and finally to Sunny Ozell, whom he married in 2013.
Did Patrick Stewart’s children pursue acting?
His son Daniel followed in his footsteps as an actor, appearing in TV, plays on and off Broadway, and London’s West End, while his daughter Sophie maintains a more private life with her two children.
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