Star Trek and X-Men actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died aged 86.

He passed away at his Los Angeles home following a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia”, according to a statement posted on social media.

The actor shot to fame when he originated the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987.

The sci-fi TV series ran for seven years, followed by films Star Trek Generations in 1994 and Star Trek: First Contact in 1996.

He also starred as Professor Charles Xavier in the blockbuster X-Men film series.

In a career that spanned more than 60 years, Sir Patrick also spent 16 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

He earned four Emmy nominations, and won a Grammy for best spoken word album for children for Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf in 1996.

He also won two supporting actor Olivier Awards for Shakespeare plays, the first for Antony And Cleopatra in 1979 and the second for Hamlet in 2009.

A statement posted to Instagram on Thursday evening read: “We announce with great sorrow the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.

“We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.

"A son of Mirfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he travelled from the Royal Shakespeare Company to an equally acclaimed career spanning six decades on Broadway, the silver screen and television."

Marvel Studios paid tribute in a post on X, describing the actor as “a true gentleman”.

The post read: “All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart.

“He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman.

“Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.”