10 Best Patrick Stewart Roles

Patrick Stewart was an icon of theatre, television and film. As news of his death spread worldwide, audiences young and old are mourning the loss of this once-in-a-generation talent. Theatre fans remember his Shakespeare performances, while pop culture knows him best from his long tenure in both Star Trek and the X-Men franchises.

A representative announced via Stewart’s social media accounts that the acclaimed actor died on October 28, 2026.

“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.”

The statement goes on to add that his death comes after a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.”

Sir Patrick Stewart leaves behind a remarkable legacy. Across theatre, television, and film, you’d be hard-pressed to find a soul who hasn’t seen at least one or two of his works. In honour of the legendary actor, here are 10 of Patrick Stewart’s best roles, celebrating the performances that shaped his 60-year career and made him one of the most versatile talents of his generation.

1. Professor Charles Xavier in the ‘X-Men’ Franchise (2000–2026)

When the superhero genre wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today, Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of Professor X helped elevate the early 2000s X-Men films in a way that didn’t seem possible at the time. 

It’s no surprise that, 26 years after his first appearance, the actor once again returned to the role and is set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Despite delivering a showstopping performance in every X-Men film thanks to his brilliant balance of warmth and authority, his performance in Logan will remain a standout. 

Gone is the almighty, all-powerful Charles we came to expect; instead, Stewart gave audiences one of the most nuanced and devastating performances ever seen in a comic book film. Stewart’s turn as Professor X and his on-screen chemistry with Ian McKellen’s Magneto will forever be remembered as an epic spar between two acting titans, wrapped up in a comic book film franchise.

2. Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the ‘Star Trek’ Franchise (1987–2023)

From one mega pop culture franchise to another, Stewart’s turn as Captain Jean-Luc Picard is the role that transformed the actor into an international superstar. Once again, Stewart’s commanding presence and measured delivery set him apart, this time as the commander of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Across seven television seasons, feature films, and the later series Star Trek: Picard, Stewart made Picard an enduring cultural icon. Few actors have embodied a character so completely, making this one of the defining performances of his career.

3. Gurney Halleck in ‘Dune’ (1984)

Once again, Stewart made pop culture history before it was even cool. While we now have director Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar-winning Dune films to marvel at, Stewart starred in the original 1984 Dune.

Stewart plays Gurney Halleck, a loyal warrior and mentor to Paul Atreides. In the recent adaptation, Goonies and MCU star Josh Brolin portrays the role. Stewart brings a gruff authority to the character, making him feel like a veteran soldier whose experience has earned the respect of those around him.

While Lynch’s Dune may divide fans, Stewart’s performance is a fascinating early example of his ability to inhabit elaborate fictional worlds and, in many respects, a taste of what was to come later in his career.

4. Sejanus in ‘I, Claudius’ (1976)

To pivot slightly away from Stewart’s iconic status in pop culture, we must mention longstanding impact he has had in his homeland, the UK. After all, he began his career here before becoming known worldwide.

In the acclaimed BBC historical drama I, Claudius, Stewart played Sejanus, an ambitious Roman commander whose hunger for political influence made him a dangerous presence at court.

Stewart’s precise delivery and theatrical authority made him a convincing presence in a series filled with political scheming and betrayal. It remains a worthwhile reminder that his talent for commanding a scene was evident long before Hollywood came calling.

5. Captain Ahab in ‘Moby Dick’ (1998)

Arguably one of Stewart’s most famous roles outside the X-Men and Star Trek franchises, he earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Captain Ahab in the 1998 television adaptation of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. 

The role allowed him to explore one of literature’s most obsessive and tragic figures. Stewart captures the tension between Ahab’s commanding presence and the destructive obsession driving him. His theatrical delivery suits the story’s heightened language, while his emotional performance makes the captain’s downfall tragic rather than simply reckless.

His turn as Captain Ahab in Moby Dick is just another reminder of Stewart’s versatility throughout his career. How he managed to take on some of the biggest roles in not just the pop culture world, but the literary world as well.

6. Darcy Banker in ‘Green Room’ (2015)

While many know Stewart for embodying a stoic yet well-intentioned figure, his turn as Darcy Banker in Green Room completely flipped this preconceived notion on its head. Rather, Stewart embodies the calculating leader of a violent neo-Nazi group in this 2015 film, one who becomes a threat to a punk band trapped at an isolated venue.

The film’s claustrophobic nature, paired with Stewart’s almost too-calm presence, makes it a real nail-biter from beginning to end. It is a chilling demonstration of his range and proof that the qualities that made him such a convincing hero could also make him a formidable villain.

7. Deputy Director Avery Bullock in ‘American Dad!’ (2005–2026)

While his stoic, commanding nature lends itself to larger-than-life on-screen characters, Stewart never shied away from showing his playful side. No project does so better than his longstanding role as Avery Bullock in American Dad!

 As the eccentric deputy director of the CIA and boss of protagonist Stan Smith, Bullock’s appearances always signalled an extra-special episode. What makes Stewart’s voice acting performance in American Dad! pure gold is how authentically himself he remains. The jokes become even better when Stewart delivers his ridiculous dialogue with the same impeccable diction and commanding tone that made Picard such an iconic captain.

The performance demonstrates Stewart’s versatility and willingness to poke fun at the dignified image audiences often associate with him.

8. Himself in ‘Extras’ (2006)

Another memorable example of Stewart poking fun at himself is his appearance in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s comedy Extras, which everyone should watch. 

The series features celebrities playing exaggerated versions of their public personas, and Stewart embraces the opportunity to subvert his dignified image. Rather than presenting a straightforward version of himself, he leans into the show’s absurd humour. The cameo works because audiences recognise the contrast between the respected Shakespearean actor and the ridiculous situation unfolding on screen. 

Stewart’s serious demeanour becomes part of the joke, demonstrating his excellent comic timing. It may be a small role, but it’s an entertaining reminder that he never took his own reputation too seriously.

9. Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Rest in ‘A Christmas Carol’ (1990)

We’d be remiss not to mention some of Stewart’s stage work, and his celebrated one-man performances of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol showcased the theatrical skills that shaped his career. Taking on multiple characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, he brought the beloved Christmas story to life through changes in voice, physicality and delivery.

Switching between characters requires considerable precision, yet Stewart maintains the story’s emotional flow while giving each personality a distinct identity. 

The performance reminds us that his talents extended well beyond television and film. Stewart could hold an audience’s attention through his voice and storytelling alone.

10. King Claudius and the Ghost in ‘Hamlet’ (2009)

Stewart’s Shakespearean background makes his dual performance in Gregory Doran’s 2009 adaptation of Hamlet a fitting inclusion. Starring David Tennant as Hamlet, the production sees Stewart play both King Claudius and the Ghost of Hamlet’s father.

As Claudius, Stewart portrays a king whose authority conceals a deeply compromised position. As the Ghost, Stewart adopts a more imposing presence, setting the tragedy in motion by revealing the circumstances surrounding the former king’s death and demanding revenge.

Playing both characters highlights Stewart’s theatrical precision and his ability to communicate complex emotions through Shakespeare’s language. It is a fitting showcase of the classical training that helped define his remarkable career.

Final Thoughts

Sir Patrick Stewart’s death marks the loss of an extraordinary actor who played major roles in some of the biggest franchises of all time. However, his legacy will endure through the characters he brought to life across theatre, television and film. 

While many may want to revisit the Star Trek and X-Men franchises after his passing, his filmography offers much more to explore. His career has offered decades of memorable performances. Of course, fans will also be able to see Stewart on screen one last time in Avengers: Doomsday later this year, where Marvel will no doubt pay homage to the actor.