Hugh Jackman Mourns X-Men Co-Star Patrick Stewart, Dead at 86 After Dementia Battle

Hugh Jackman is paying tribute to his longtime X-Men co-star Patrick Stewart, who died Wednesday at age 86 following a brief battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. Jackman, who played Wolverine opposite Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier across multiple films, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling Stewart “one of the greats of stage and screen” and “a tremendous friend and man.” The two actors shared a close bond on and off set, with Jackman crediting Stewart as a mentor who taught him much about acting and professionalism. Stewart’s death marks the loss of a towering figure in both the Marvel universe and the broader world of theater and film. His legacy includes iconic roles in Star Trek and the Royal Shakespeare Company, but for a generation of fans, he will be remembered as the wise and powerful Professor X. Jackman’s tribute underscores the deep personal and professional impact Stewart had on those who worked with him, and the outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike reflects his status as a beloved cultural icon.