Patrick Stewart’s son has shared a poignant tribute to his father after the legendary actor died at 86. The tribute comes after Stewart previously spoke publicly about his estrangement from his children. It also joins other outpourings of grief and support, including one from Sir Ian McKellen.
Patrick Stewart’s estranged son Daniel shares throwback photo following his father’s death
Daniel took to X to share a throwback photo shortly after the news of his father’s death became public. He shared a throwback photo showing himself giving his father a piggyback ride. He posted the photo without a caption. The picture was taken during their 2001 production of Johnson Over Jordan at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Patrick shared Daniel, 59, and daughter Sophie, 54, with his first wife, Sheila Falconer. Stewart had previously spoken about the emotional pain of being estranged from his children.
In a 2023 interview with the Irish Independent, Patrick admitted, “Given that I’m separated from my children now, we don’t have relationships, they have become very important.”
He also revealed the emotional toll of their distance. The actor said, “There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not pained by the memory of my children, who they were and by a sense of responsibility that they became who they are in part because of me and my influence or lack of influence on them.”
“I always put my acting work first, before my family,” he acknowledged.
Tributes have also poured in from across the entertainment industry. Longtime friend and X-Men co-star Ian McKellen also added to the outpouring. He remembered his friend as a man who “wore his heart on his sleeve.”
Fellow Star Trek actor William Shatner remembered Stewart’s intelligence, grace, and humanity. Hugh Jackman called him a good friend and mentor, saying that he would miss him dearly.
Patrick died at his Los Angeles home on October 28. His spokesperson confirmed that his death followed a brief period of illness involving Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
