One of the entertainment industry’s enduring friendships was shared by “X-Men” co-stars Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Their bond extended far beyond the screen, growing into a close relationship marked by affection, humor, and heartfelt gestures. Following Stewart’s death, McKellen paid tribute to his longtime pal in a touching message, offering a glimpse into the special connection they shared over the years.
Ian McKellen Shares Sweet Tribute To Dear Friend Patrick Stewart
After news of Patrick Stewart’s death at 86 years old, his beloved friend Ian McKellen honored him with a social media post.
McKellen recalled meeting Stewart for the first time at the Royal Shakespeare Company when they were both aspiring actors sometime in the 1970s. He shared a vivid memory of attempting to dissuade his friend from taking on the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek” a few years later, a character that would become a defining part of his legacy.
McKellen was concerned that Stewart would risk his theater career and get lost in Hollywood. “He took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did for not just his devoted Trekkies but film and theatre audiences, who marveled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes,” he wrote.
McKellen went on to write about his friend’s greatest achievements while reflecting on the journey that brought him there.
“His farewell performance in ‘Avengers Doomsday’ is yet to be seen,” he concluded, referring to the upcoming Marvel flick premiering in December.
The Actors’ Origin Story From The ‘X-Men’ Set
Although they had known each other for years, Stewart and McKellen didn’t develop a close friendship until 2000 when they appeared together on “X-Men,” playing Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto, respectively.
The actors’ trailers were next to each other, and they spent their downtime becoming more acquainted. “Ian and I hung out together, drinking tea – and maybe in the afternoon, something a little stronger – and we got to know one another,” Stewart said in a 2020 segment for WIRED.
Separately, McKellen also talked about their bond, saying that they found out about their similarities as they got to know each other better. “We fell into each other’s arms because of our similarities in our career, and because of our age and because we like the same sort of things,” he said.
Ian McKellen And Patrick Stewart Chronicled Their New York Adventure
In 2014, McKellen and Stewart celebrated the end of the joint Broadway run in “No Man’s Land” and “Waiting for Godot” by going on a tour of New York and chronicling their adventures.
Stewart shared photos from several of the places they visited, including Coney Island, the historic Stonewall Inn, the Empire State Building, and Madame Tussauds, among others. Wearing matching black bowler hats, the two actors beamed in front of the camera.
Stewart spoke about spending time with his good friend, saying that it was a way to connect with their run on Broadway and leaning into the idea of them exploring New York as tourists. In a separate interview, he talked about working with McKellen, saying, “Sometimes I feel we’re enjoying it too much and the audience don’t quite understand why we’re having so much fun.”
Ian McKellen Officiated Patrick Stewart And Sunny Ozell’s Two Weddings
Stewart and Ozell tied the knot in Lake Tahoe in 2013, and the officiant was none other than McKellen, who prepared a moving speech that had the guests emotional.
In a guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” however, Stewart revealed to guest host Pete Buttigieg that the ceremony was not legally binding because McKellen was not authorized to officiate in the state of Nevada.
The couple then had an impromptu ceremony with only a handful of guests at a Mexican restaurant in California, where McKellen was authorized to wed them. “We were formally married in a Mexican restaurant,” Stewart said, laughing.
The Two Actors Shared Smooches On The Red Carpet
Stewart and McKellen shared plenty of memorable moments in public, but arguably one of the sweetest came when they kissed on the red carpet.
At the London premiere of McKellen’s film “Mr. Holmes” in 2015, he and Stewart shared a kiss on the lips, with Ozell photobombing in the background. Five years later, at the premiere of “Star Trek: Picard,” McKellen dropped to one knee on the red carpet, jokingly proposing to his friend before standing up and giving Stewart a smooch.
Speaking about the kiss, McKellen said Stewart had “very good lips.” He elaborated further on their deep friendship, saying what he loved about Stewart was that “he is a straight man who has absolutely no problem with having gay friends. I think he gave me a kiss because he thinks I would like it. It’s a sign of friendship.”
