Sir Patrick Stewart And His Connection To A Vancouver University
A Legacy Of Dramatic Artistry
Fans and colleagues worldwide are mourning the loss of Sir Patrick Stewart, the legendary English actor who passed away at the age of 86 in late October. Known for his commanding presence on both stage and screen, Stewart died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles. According to statements from his family and representatives, his passing followed a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He was held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, and laughter, while remaining in the loving care of his wife, Sunny.
While he achieved global fame through iconic roles in science fiction and superhero cinema, a local institution in Metro Vancouver is currently celebrating a lesser-known chapter of his career. Simon Fraser University has shared tributes highlighting a time when Stewart shared his deep passion for theatre with students and the local community long before he became an international household name.
The 1977 Royal Shakespeare Company Residency
In February 1977, Stewart visited the Burnaby campus as part of a prestigious residency with the Royal Shakespeare Company. For five days, he served as an artist-in-residence, bringing his dramatic expertise to the classrooms and stages of the university. This visit was particularly significant as the institution was the first Canadian university to host the Royal Shakespeare Company and served as the only Canadian stop during the group’s six-week North American West Coast tour that year.
Stewart did not arrive alone; he was accompanied by other theatrical heavyweights, including future Oscar winner Ben Kingsley, as well as Sheila Allen, Juliet Aykroyd, and Richard Pasco. Together, the group engaged in a whirlwind of academic and artistic activity. They conducted a series of workshops, lectures, and seminars designed to mentor the next generation of performers. Specifically, the group met with over 600 students from the English and Fine and Performing Arts departments in individual sessions. Their contributions included leading a specialized class on theatre movement for dancers and hosting a sonnet workshop.
Beyond the classrooms, the residency was a major public event. The group performed six plays that drew more than 1,900 theatre enthusiasts to the campus, cementing a lasting bond between the legendary acting troupe and the local arts community. This early connection to the region was a precursor to a lifelong appreciation for the area, which was later echoed by his close friend Sir Ian McKellen, who noted that their friendship grew stronger while filming in Toronto and Vancouver.
A Versatile Career Beyond The Screen
Although many remember him as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation or Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series, Stewart’s professional catalogue is vast and varied. His connection to the region extended far beyond his 1977 visit, as he later returned to film X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand in Vancouver, as well as the action-comedy Masterminds in Vancouver and Victoria. He even famously conquered the Grouse Grind while filming for the X-Men franchise.
His range was evident in his willingness to tackle diverse roles. He portrayed the villainous Darcy Banker in the 2015 thriller Green Room and gave a memorable performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1999 version of A Christmas Carol. He also appeared in the original 1984 version of Dune and provided the voice for Avery Bullock in over 100 episodes of American Dad.
Even in his final days, Stewart continued to contribute to the arts. He is set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, reprising his role as Professor X in one of his final screen appearances. His journey from the stages of the Royal Shakespeare Company to the heights of Hollywood cinema leaves behind a legacy of discipline, grace, and an unwavering devotion to the craft of acting.