Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died aged 86 following a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia”, it has been announced on his 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, with films Star Trek Generations in 1994 and Star Trek: First Contact in 1996.

But during a career that spanned more than 60 years, he first came to prominence as a stage actor, becoming a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 1966.

Tributes poured in from the acting and film world, and Sir Patrick was also remembered for his campaigning on behalf of domestic abuse charity Refuge, which he said he did in honour of his mother.

In a statement on Instagram on Thursday evening, it was announced that Sir Patrick had died.

It 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.”

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, which damages the brain and affects memory and thinking, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Around two-thirds of people living with dementia in the UK are thought to gave Alzheimer’s disease, while around one in 10 has dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), although it is thought to be under-diagnosed.

DLB is caused by tiny clumps of protein, known as Lewy bodies, which appear in the nerve cells of the brain, and it can affect thinking, memory, movement, mood and how well the body works, the Alzheimer’s Society says.

Actor and comedian Robin Williams, who killed himself in 2014 aged 63, was diagnosed with DLB after his death, while former Liverpool and England footballer Terry McDermott revealed in 2021 aged 69 that he was in the early stages of DLP.

Born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire in 1940, Sir Patrick’s career included movies, TV and the theatre including 16 years with the RSC, and acting on stage well into his 60s.

He earned a Grammy for best spoken word album for children for Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf in 1996.

Sir Patrick also earned four Emmy nominations for various work and two supporting actor Olivier Awards for Shakespeare plays, the first for Antony And Cleopatra in 1979 and the second for Hamlet in 2009.

For a new generation, his Star Trek past was soon forgotten as he took on his biggest role on the big screen as the Marvel superhero Professor Charles Xavier in the first three X-Men blockbusters, which began life in 2000.

He would come back to the series in 2014’s X-Men: Days Of Future Past, 2017’s Logan, 2022’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness and 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, with another film due to be released in December.

He received his knighthood for services to drama in 2009, and was knighted by the late Queen in 2010

Sir Patrick, who has been married three times, has a son and a daughter.

The statement on his Instagram continued: “His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre.

“He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise.

“His professional accomplishments were humbly matched by his philanthropy and activism on behalf of human rights, survivors of domestic violence, global refugees, veterans’ mental health services, and animal welfare, particularly his cherished foster pitties.

“He was a knight, chancellor, motor sport enthusiast, and lifelong Huddersfield football fan. He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role – in his art and life.”

The statement also quoted the actor from his memoir, Making It So, in which he said: “Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience.

“But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the end, he feels the call of home, as do I.”

Fans are being asked not to send flowers, but instead make a contribution in his memory to Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre Fund and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources.

Sir Patrick last appeared in person on his Instagram profile on May 20 to promote his recordings of the complete sonnets of William Shakespeare to mark the anniversary of the original publication in 1609.

In the post, he said: “I hope it has brought pleasure and curiosity but more than anything else I wanted to have communicated all the multiple features that love might have.”

His fans will still have the chance to see him perform in Avenger’s Doomsday, which is due for release in mid-December in the UK, and will see him star again as Professor Charles Xavier.

In a message posted on social media, Marvel Studios, the film and TV production company behind the film franchise, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.

It said: “Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from ‘X-Men’ to ‘Logan’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.

“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.”

Alzheimer’s Society chief executive officer Michelle Dyson said: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Sir Patrick Stewart has died following a brief journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

“Sir Patrick was an extraordinarily talented and much-loved actor, admired by millions around the world, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who loved him.

“Both Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia are progressive conditions that can affect memory, thinking and behaviour, gradually changing how a person experiences and interacts with the world around them.

“His death is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact dementia has on people and families across the globe.”

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chairwoman of trustees of domestic abuse charity Refuge, said Sir Patrick worked for decades raising awareness of domestic abuse and speaking out about his own childhood experiences.

“Patrick became a Refuge ambassador in 2007, and I was privileged to watch his endless devotion and passion to the cause,” she said.

“He told me he did the work in honour of his mother and in lending his voice he raised much-needed awareness of the cause and broke down barriers and taboos on the subject.”