Remembering An Icon: The Team Shares Their Favorite Patrick Stewart Performances

One Of The Greats

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Patrick Stewart. A beloved presence both on and off screen, a man of kindness, gravitas and immense talent. His work contains multitudes, including some of the most iconic roles in sci-fi and comic book history. From the stage to the screen and everything in between, Stewart could do it all and surprise you with how easy any genre or medium transition was for him. He could deliver cheesy Star Trek mumbo jumbo one minute and near perfect Shakespearean soliloquies the next and never miss a beat in either. A rare franchise staple who was never shackled to the role no matter how many times he returned to portray them.

A legend who quite literally raised an entire generation, the world simply won’t be the same without Patrick Stewart. He has given us 60+ years of work in the arts; theater, film, television, even voice work – Steward did it all. Not to mention his passion for activism, equality, and charitable work. The world is certainly darker without him in it, and it is a great loss to so many lives he touched through his iconic work. To honor him and celebrate his life, That Hollywood Show team has selected a few of their favorite performances that have had an impact on their life in the arts. He will be missed, but never forgotten. And here is how we keep Patrick Stewart’s memory alive: honoring and remembering all of the wonderful things he left for us.

Derrick Murray: Dr. Jonas, Conspiracy Theory

There’s a part of me that wants to go for some deep cuts, but I’d be lying if I said that most of my relationship with sir Patrick Stewart wasn’t primarily Star Trek Enterprise and X-Men. I don’t think there’s a single person under 50 that doesn’t have those two roles in their top Stewart line ups. He literally raised me via theater and television, and leaving these two off the list would be a crime. But I’m gonna give a little shine to Conspiracy Theory. Villainous roles aren’t always in his wheelhouse, but when they are – boy, oh boy does Stewart deliver. He is terrifying as Dr. Jonas, and while the movie itself doesn’t quite hold up as well for…um….reasons…Steward is excellent in this little hidden gem conspiracy thriller. That gravitas baked into his overall presence just shines in mystery, and in games of deception his welcoming fatherly presence lures you into a trap and before you know it, you’re caught in his devious web of lies. Only Stewart can make bad so inviting.

As a last little shout-out, I want to give some love to his voice work in Ted. He’s so funny delivering vulgarity via narration, and proves that not only can he do comedy, but he understands the irony of someone like Patrick Stewart narrating a movie like Ted. I always loved this about him. I could go on and on about more of his great works – even when the movie isn’t good he’s excellent, like in The Doctor and the Devils in which his screen time is limited by his presence is felt – but I’ll leave some room for my counterparts. Patrick Stewart, thank you for everything you gave us. Cinema won’t be the same without you, but we will carry on your legacy by embracing the wonderful work you left behind.

Jeff Ewing: Darcy, Green Room

Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room is an exceptional thriller about a punk band desperate to pick up a show. At the last minute, they’re unknowingly sent to play at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar on the outskirts of Portland, to open for a Nazi metal band named Cowcatcher. After witnessing a murder, the punks are barricaded in the green room, surrounded by violent Nazis who want to eliminate them as witnesses. They need to fight for their lives. It’s a magnificently tense film, led by the great Anton Yelchin as Pat, the band’s bassist. Patrick Stewart plays avowed Nazi and bar owner Darcy Banker, the leader of this gaggle of dollar-store SS wannabes.

Calm, strategic, and ruthless, Darcy is terrifying as the organizing force behind the angry mob. Patrick Stewart is deservedly famous for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Charles Xavier, each role cementing his reputation for being wise, kind, and exemplifying the best values in humanity. He magnificently plays against type in Green Room, pivoting his penchant for even-keeled decision-making into a terrifying coldness you don’t want to be on the wrong side of. An exceptional role that showcases the true depth of his talent.

Hunter Bolding: Captain Picard

The original run of Star Trek is obviously influential. But Star Trek: The Next Generation raised multiple generations of people through live viewings, syndication, and streaming. But Patrick Stewart is arguably the most important reason that the show has resonated with so many people. In a day and age where empathy is at an all-time low, to see a focal character that leads with compassion and doesn’t jump to kick ass right away is refreshing. Captain Picard is the ideal leader because they’re calm, tough, but gentle enough to lead. He also learns from his mistakes and knows that he’s going to make mistakes.

Patrick Stewart’s performance is legendary and shows us that leadership doesn’t mean just jumping to conclusions. He’s tender, he’s tough, he can be a cowboy captain at points, but it always comes back to a place of being a good man.

Rachel Leishman: Theatre

While I, like many others, found Sir Patrick Stewart through his work on Star Trek and the X-Men films, the thing that always made him something special to me was his theatre work. The Shakespearean actor has worked with many icons throughout his theatre career and even shared the stage with his X-Men co-star and real life best friend, Sir Ian McKellen, in plays like Waiting For Godot. While it isn’t rare for television and film actors to do theatre, it was different with Stewart. You could tell that it wasn’t necessarily about the rush of the audience or the quickness of the stage but rather than he appreciated the words and the history of what he was doing.

He’s been a figure in some many franchises and stories throughout his career but his work on stage is powerful and brilliant. And no one can deliver a Shakespearean monologue quite like Stewart could.

Sarah Carey: Charles Xavier

My first introduction to Sir Patrick Stewart was as a little girl, playing with my toys while my father and older sister watched Star Trek: The Next Generation. Even at that young age, I could feel his magnetic presence through the television, long before I could fully appreciate the brilliance of his performances.Then it was my turn to fall in love with him as Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, watching my favorite comic book series come to life on the big screen for the very first time.His charm, commanding presence, and extraordinary chemistry with Sir Ian McKellen were truly one for the ages. Their friendship, both on and off screen, was just as magical as the characters they brought to life.

What I always found fascinating was that, despite his immense talent and decades of experience, he was a perfectionist who still battled anxiety before performances. Yet he would eventually shout, “It doesn’t matter!” and step onstage to deliver a performance that left everyone in awe. Thank you, Sir Patrick Stewart, for the childhood memories, the unforgettable characters, and a lifetime of extraordinary performances. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations

“The sky’s the limit.” Rest in peace, Sir Patrick Stewart.