Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart, born in 1940, is an English actor whose career has spanned seven decades in theater, film, television and more. Stewart is perhaps best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men movies.
Stewart grew up in the town of Mirfield, in the north of England. Mirfield was an industrial and agricultural enclave, and most of its residents - including Patrick's family - struggled financially. Stewart's father Alfred was a decorated army officer, and his mother Gladys worked in a textile mill.
Mirfield
After leaving the military, Alfred Stewart had a hard time adjusting to civilian life, and he drank and beat his wife, behavior that profoundly affected Patrick and his older brother Trevor. Still, young Patrick was a tough lad. Stewart writes, "I was not a softy as a boy. I couldn't afford to be. Where I came from, if you weren't tough on the playground, you became a target for bullying."
Young Patrick Stewart (right) with his mother Gladys and brother Trevor
Patrick Stewart with his father Alfred and mother Gladys
Stewart became interested in acting at a young age. He observes, "It doesn't take a degree in psychology to figure out the appeal of acting to someone who grew up in a household as troubled as mine. The stage would prove to be a safe space, a refuge from real life." Stewart's English teacher, Mr. Cecil Dormand, helped cultivate Patrick's interest in literature, drama, and Shakespeare, and Dormand was the inspiration for Patrick's future career.
Patrick Stewart with English teacher Cecil Dormand and Cecil's wife Mary
Stewart also credits actress/acting coach Ruth Wynn Owen for assisting his aspirations. As a young man, Stewart 'spoke Yorkshire' and he recalls, "Ruth was insistent that if we were serious about acting, we need to learn....the way that BBC newsreaders spoke"- a way that most people think of as a posh aristocratic accent.
Actress/Acting Coach Ruth Wynn Owen
Stewart left public school at the age of fifteen, after which he attended drama school. From there Patrick climbed the ladder through various repertory companies until he finally joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 1965. Stewart writes a good deal about the plays he was in and the actors, directors, and other colleagues he worked with.
For example, Stewart recalls playing Launce in Shakespeare's comedy 'The Two Gentleman of Verona' in 1970. The cast included Helen Mirren, Ian Richardson, Estelle Kohler, and a dog named Blackie, who played Launce's mellow pooch Crab.
Stewart relates a story about casting Blackie, whom he found at a kennel. Patrick remembers, "I had brought a camera with me, so I took photos of Blackie, a process he completely ignored. No fussing, no tail wagging....he was just THERE.....a real Method dog. Rod Steiger would have loved him."
Young thespian Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart and Blackie in 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona'
At one time, Stewart toured with actress Vivien Leigh. Patrick observes, "I had something of an out-of-body experience meeting her, as I had never before met anyone so famous, nor, for that matter, so talented....Vivien was bright, friendly, hardworking, and as beautiful as she appeared in movies."
Vivien Leigh in the play 'Duel of Angels'
Patrick's professional journey included many Shakespeare plays, as well as other works, and his rise could serve as a primer for aspiring young thespians. Recollecting the RSC, Stewart writes, "My time with the RSC was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The people who filled that historic auditorium in Stratford were excited just to be there....for the express purpose of seeing William Shakespeare's work performed in his hometown by the foremost Shakespearean actors."
Patrick Stewart in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Stewart remained with the RSC for many years, during which he was married to his first wife Sheila Falconer - an English actress, dancer, and choreographer. The couple had two children, Daniel and Sophie.
Patrick Stewart's first wife Sheila Falconer
Patrick Stewart with his son Daniel
Patrick Stewart with his daughter Sophie
In time, Stewart broke into films, his first big movie being 1984's science fiction epic 'Dune.' In an amusing anecdote, Patrick talks about rock idol Sting joining the cast of 'Dune.' When Sting mentioned he played in the group Police, Patrick - who was SERIOUSLY pop-culture challenged - responded, "You play in a police band? Wow! How marvelous!"
Sting in the movie 'Dune'
Stewart also knew next to nothing about the television show Star Trek (1966 - 1969), and was bewildered when the show's creator, Gene Roddenberry, wanted to meet him. Roddenberry was developing a new version of the program, called Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) and Stewart was being considered for the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry
Roddenberry wasn't impressed with Patrick, but other executives prevailed, and Patrick got the role of Picard. At the time, Stewart's agent, Steve Dontanville said, "It is my opinion that you'll be lucky to make it through the first season. I don't think anyone can replicate the success of the original Star Trek. You'll be lucky to make it to Thanksgiving, to be honest."
Little did Steve know, because TNG ran from 1987 to 1994, and spawned several movies after that.
Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Stewart knew TNG would change his life, in part because the show filmed in California and Patrick's family lived in England. Patrick tells many stories about TNG, including tales about the cast, crew, guest stars, and scripts. Luckily, the TNG actors and actresses got along, and Patrick recalls, "Chance had thrown me into a company that was as generous and funny as it was talented. Our mutual respect grew over time into friendship and ultimately a feeling of family - and this feeling only gets stronger as we get older."
Original cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. From left: Wil Wheaton, Denise Crosby, LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, and Brent Spiner
By TNG's final season, Stewart was getting restless and wanted new challenges. Thus Patrick went back to doing Shakespeare plays and other television and movie work. By this time, Patrick and Sheila were divorced, their marriage ending after Patrick's affair with actress Jennifer Hetrick, who guest starred as 'Vash' on TNG.
Patrick Stewart and Jennifer Hetrick (as Vash on Star Trek: The Next Generation)
In 1999 Stewart began playing Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X) in the big-budget comic book adaptation of X-Men. The filming schedule also allowed Stewart to work on the stage, and Patrick writes, "I took advantage and did lots of good stuff."
Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier in 'X-Men'
During this time, Stewart was married to his second wife, Wendy Neuss - an American television and film producer. This brief marriage ended when Patrick had an affair with Lisa Dillon, his co-star in Henrik Ibsen's play, 'The Master Builder.' Stewart laments, "I needed to do better by the women with whom I was romantically involved. In a life chockablock with joy and success, my two failed marriages are my greatest regret."
Patrick Stewart with his second wife Wendy Neuss
Patrick Stewart and Lisa Dillon in 'The Master Builder'
Stewart's career continued to burgeon in the 2000s, and he hosted 'Saturday Night Live', became a voice actor on 'American Dad', played himself on an episode of Ricky Gervais's comedy series 'Extras', played Macbeth in New York, reprised his role as Jean-Luc in the series Star Trek: Picard and more.
Patrick Stewart playing Macbeth on Broadway
In 2010, Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, and in 2013 Stewart married his third wife, Sunny Ozell - an American singer and songwriter.
Patrick Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth
Patrick Stewart and his third wife Sunny Ozell
Marriage to Sunny has helped Stewart exhibit the fun side of his personality. At the urging of Sunny's music producer, Patrick recorded his favorite cowboy songs with Sunny's band. Patrick notes, "You can find the resultant video short, hawking music by the man "long known as England's premier cowboy singer" on YouTube. This is a MUST SEE for Patrick Stewart fans.
Patrick Stewart's cowboy songs on YouTube
Though Stewart is in his 80s, he's nowhere near ready to retire. So stay tuned for more.
Stewart has had an incredibly interesting life and I enjoyed following Patrick's journey from a house with no indoor facilities in Mirfield to his tremendous success on the stage and screen. I especially liked Stewart's anecdotes about people he's met and worked with because Patrick doesn't pull his punches, so we find out who's nice and who's not. 🙂
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4 stars
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