Sir Patrick Stewart has died at the age of 86.

The actor - who was best known for starring in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises - passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday (10.28.26), following a battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body dementia.

A statement posted on his social media accounts 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."

The acclaimed actor enjoyed a hugely successful career on stage and screen, after becoming a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the mid-60s.

In 1967, he landed his first television role in Coronation Street, the long-running British soap.

Stewart - who was born and raised in Yorkshire, England - made his Broadway theatre debut in 1971 in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

He received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1979 for his performance in Antony and Cleopatra in London's West End.

However, he gained international stardom when he was cast as Jean-Luc Picard, the commanding officer of the starship USS Enterprise, in Star Trek, the iconic sci-fi show.

Stewart played Captain Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation between 1987 and 1994, before returning to the role for a string of films and Star Trek: Picard, a series that focused specifically on his character.

In the 2000s, Stewart also became known for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series. The actor portrayed the telepathic mutant between 2000 and 2017, before reprising the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Stewart's other film credits include Excalibur, L.A. Story, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and The Kid Who Would Be King.

Stewart - who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for services to drama in 2010 - won a host of accolades during his career, including two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Grammy.

Stewart is survived by his wife Sunny and two children, Daniel and Sophie.