Sir Patrick Stewart’s recent passing has certainly left a hole in the world. The esteemed actor was beloved by just about everyone who worked with him, especially his Star Trek and X-Men families. But one actor with whom Stewart had a unique and ongoing friendship was Sir Ian McKellen, his co-star in five X-Men films. As Professor X and Magneto, they portrayed friends turned adversaries. But in real life, their sweet late-in-life bromance became the wholesome subject of many a social media post. And recently, Sir Ian paid musical tribute to his late friend at a charity event in London. And you can watch this lovely moment, which we learned about via Brobible, in the post below:
At the charity event for Denville Hall, a home for retired entertainment professionals, Ian McKellen took the stage and invited the audience to sing a song that held a unique significance for both men. Several actors joined McKellen on stage and sang “Underneath the Arches,” a 1932 music-hall song he frequently performed with Patrick Stewart on stage. They had sung this particular song at the end of their stage productions of Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. This production began in 2009 in the U.K., then toured internationally, before coming to Broadway in 2014.
Nerdist’s Take: When Stewart and McKellen Share the Scene One Last Time in Avengers: Doomsday, We’ll Be Holding Back Many Tears
Stewart and McKellen knew each other casually for over fifty years, due to their status as prolific stage actors. But for much of that time, they were mostly just casual acquaintances. It wasn’t until they co-starred in 2000’s X-Men that the two became good friends. And from that moment on, they were pretty inseparable. Fans everywhere delighted at their silly social media posts, and their unwavering devotion to each other. As sad as Stewart’s passing is, we at least have one more on-screen performance together for both men in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. We’re quite certain there won’t be a dry eye in the house.