Sir Patrick Stewart, star of the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, has just turned 86. By now, most actors might have decided to throw in the towel and enjoy retirement. Stewart, however, is still appearing in movies and shows. From Star Trek’s Picard, which ran until 2023, to this year’s Sheep Detectives, his career is alive and well. And recently, Sir Patrick Stewart confirmed that he has NO plans to quit acting.
In an interview with TV Insider, Patrick Stewart said that his acting career will never end.
I can’t imagine ever officially ‘retiring.’ I’ll always and forever be an actor.
At 69-years-old, Queen Elizabeth II knighted the star for his outstanding service to drama. His career has spanned various film eras and has even extended to the stage. His performances in Macbeth and Hamlet became pinnacles of his theatrical career.
This statement from Patrick Stewart comes in response to rumors circulating online saying that he would retire after returning to his role as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday. Some were saying it would be his final film appearance. But thankfully, this will not be the case, although we’re sure he’ll be wonderful in the role.
Avengers: Doomsday serves as a continuation of the MCU. It has a lot to live up to with the most recent film being Avengers: Endgame, the second-highest-grossing movie of all time, after the original Avatar.
In Doomsday, Patrick Stewart will reprise his role as Professor X after appearing in six X-Men films over the years. He even appeared in the X-Men trailer for Doomsday alongside Sir Ian McKellen as his longtime frenemy, Magneto. Also in the trailer was James Marsden as Cyclops, another staple of the X-Men franchise.
Though Patrick Stewart mentioned in his interview that roles for older actors have become scarce, I’d say he is absolutely legendary enough to continue working onscreen.
Stewart shared:
As any actor my age will tell you, there are fewer and fewer available roles as we get older. That being said, I still continue to receive interesting offers, and I love being challenged by new work.
Even if this is his last role as Professor X, it will be far from his last onscreen appearance. Sir Patrick Stewart is and will forever be a cultural icon.