If he is to be remembered most for one role, why not a role with high morals, an explorer, a leader, an adventurer and student of history who overcomes bigotry, pride, fear and war. It was one of the best sci-fi roles of all time, in one of the best TV shows of all time. Not bad, Sir Patrick :)

Regardless of how he may feel about sci fi, he has played one of the most memorable characters not just in trek, but in the entire sci fi genre!

I met him, very briefly at a convention about 6 years ago now. I would give anything to sit down and talk to him, just for 20 minutes. We will never see another actor of his talent again in our lifetime. Period.

I am a massive Next Generation fan. I can understand that Patrick doesn't want his career to be defined by one role, but unfortunately, he will always be Jean Luc Picard to me.

The Next Generation cast is one of the best ensembles of all time.

I grew up with TNG. I've always considered Capt. Picard as the Father I never had.

To be a fly on the wall when Ian and Patrick are working together. What an incredible bit of luck to grow watching these two on screen for SO many roles. Patrick is such a joy to just listen to. He is always so engaging.. so enthusiastic.. Incredible.

He may not be a sci-fi guy to begin with, but he sure does made his mark in the genre. I can’t imagine Star Trek without Picard, or the X-Men without him as Charles Xavier. Sir Patrick Stewart was able to juice up his given sci-fi roles with his theatrical experiences. That experience constitutes the stoic characters in every of Sir Patrick’s given role to this day.

Glad you didn't listen to him... he was Magneto after all

I grew up on reruns of the original. When TNG came out I thought 'no way, a bald frenchman is going to replace Kirk?!' But Sir Patrick Stewart 'made it so!' bravo sir, marvelous indeed.

I am so grateful to Patrick Stewart for bringing the character of Captain Picard to life. Captain Picard taught me more about being a good man than my own father did.

Patrick Stewart is a class act. First role I ever saw him in was King Author version that was bloody as hell, I thought, that guy whatever his name has a great voice... years later Captain. The rest is history.

Variety has some of the best videos to have on while working! No trollish opinions, just pure respect for all works of cinematic art.

This is possibly the nerdiest bit of sentiment I have, but Revive is not the correct word for what TNG did, that was a way better series than the original, largely because of Sir Stewart.

TNG wouldn't have been the same without Patrick Stewart. That series had amazing characters, but Patrick Stewart was the glue that bound everyone into a great, cohesive cast.

What's interesting is that Gene Roddenberry supposedly wasn't that keen on casting him in TNG when the series was in pre-production. Roddenberry wanted a younger looking American actor for the role and had to be talked round by the other producers who had realised just what a good actor Patrick Stewart was during the auditions and Roddenberry finally capitulated, thus making television history in the process.

14 years as John-Luck Picerd and 17 years as Chuckie Xavier.

Captain Jean Luc Picard will always be a part of Start Trek and so will Patrick Stewart. IMO he was the right captain to the right time. Also: Best cast for Charles Xavier. Outstanding actor!

What a frank and "from the heart" talk by Sir Patrick!!

It's weired seeing how old he's gotten. It's like yesterday when he was a vibrant...uhhh 50 year old.

Considering Patrick added such weight to Picard and the show wouldn't have been the same without him, it's possible that he pretty much saved Star Trek. I know you can say Shatner and Nimoy started it, but it kind of faded out during their tenure. When they tried TNG, it could have fucking collapsed and Star Trek could have been dead for a long time... And due to Patrick being such a fucking legend... We now have DS9, VOY, ENT, DISCOVERY, and a whole bunch of movies.

Patrick Stewart will always be remembered for his two iconic roles which are Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Charles Xavier.

I watched ton of TNG growing up. (Born in 80) Captain Picard was always my favorite.

I absolutely admire and adore the close friendship that he has with Ian.

Cant believe he wasnt nominated for Logan...shame

The episode The Ineer Light really showed just how talented he is. He lives and entire life and becomes an old man in twenty minutes.

Excalibur was the first thing I ever saw him in, and then Dune, and he didn't even mention either of those. Weird.

I was a Trekkie before TNG. When it started out - being a fan of TOS - I was very reluctant to watch it. After my sister persuaded me to do so, I got hooked after only one episode. Now I feel that TNG is the best thing that ever happened to Star Trek, (imho).

A class act and an astounding actor - Thank you Sir Patrick, you're my hero!

How ironic that Ian advised Patrick against sci-fi yet Ian followed Patrick into the genre.

Makes sense he would be hesitant. Back then, being a TV actor was to be de facto typecast as...a TV actor. I remember when it was a big deal in the entertainment media that David Caruso and Ted Danson were making the jump to film (somewhat silly since they both had worked in film prior to their TV roles). Of course, the landscape is a bit different these days, though it is kind of funny to think that for most people, Patrick Stewart came to prominence doing 7 seasons on a syndicated American sci-fi TV show.

Ive tried to watch his A Christmas Carol every year for a long time now. I haven't saw it this year and may not get to. But other than Next Gen its my favorite Patrick work. SO SO good and enjoyable to watch. Hope he and his wife are doing well and have a great big fun holiday time.

Mr Stewart's comments about how everyone in Hollywood said the reboot of Star Trek would not be successful painfully shows how clueless Hollywood can be. I grew up in Hollywood and can tell you the nothing more worthless than an expert's opinion.

Brilliant actor!!! It took a lot to fill the shoes of Shatner as Kirk. I personally refused to watch the Next Generation for some time. I happened to catch an episode halfway through the 1st season and I was HOOKED! The TV show was like watching a great movie every week. BRILLIANT show.

A little unconventional, but I think Stewart understands he's one of the 80's Television "father figures." While his character was never an actual father, the character was that and much more. Stewart played Picard with all the reverence of a father figure, a team leader, a supervisor, a boss, of a real role model. All the intent of the writers was delivered through Stewart and he deserves much of the credit for giving that character believability.

I rate this interview 4/5 lights!

Sir Patrick is in one of my favorite movies of all time Excalibur

Stewart's Star Trek resonates with the soul.

Saw those two in Waiting for Godot in Newcastle. An absolute joy.

Sejanus in “I, Claudius”, 1976.

Next Gen is my fave Star Trek of all time. Wouldn't be the same without you Patrick.

Star Trek and X-Men and other MARVEL-ous things?

A memorable acting moment (not STar trek) was the interogation scene he did. Never a word.. never a change in expression.. but he comes out on top. And then the follow up, where even in defeat he shows no emotion, except for dropping the lighter. EPIC

Boy, people sure are full of stuff, aren't they? "You'll be lucky to make it a year." 14 years later and an internationally recognized, multimillionaire actor. I wonder how many of those naysayers made it half as far?:)

When I saw Patrick Stewart in the role of Picard in Star Trek: First Contact, the scene that left the biggest impression on me was when Alfre Woodard's Lily Sloane confronts Picard in his ready room and calls him out on his obsession over the borg, calling him "Ahab." For reasons I can't quite explain, that scene hit me in the feels somehow in a way that transcended anything i had seen in sci fi since The Wrath of Khan. Not long after that, I saw Stewart in a made-for-TV version of Moby Dick in which he did play Captain Ahab. In the following years, I saw him play Scrooge as well and became familiar with his work in the Royal Shakespearian company. I don't think I would have had quite the appreciation for Sir Patrick's range as an actor had I not discovered him in Star Trek, but I am definitely one Star Trek fan who will remember him for a whole lot more.

Kinda makes me wish that Patrick Stewart was cast as a proper Radagast the Brown in The Middle Earth movies.

Possibly the best performance I can remember is The Measure of a Man, the passion Sir Pat brings to that role of Defence in the courtroom scenario is brilliant, he does it again in The Drumhead but because that character is unknown while Data is so beloved, I have to rank The Measure of a Man as just that much better.

A brilliant actor, racing fan and nice guy. Thank you Sir Patrick.

Top 10 people in history to meet. A truly amazing individual and unique human being...!

Data and Jean Lu Picard really made next gen memorable and iconic. Something about both of them really captured what it meant to be those characters, the irony, humor, intellect and philosophical thinking. They really managed to act as "beyond human" in their roles.

I once heard that when his contract was up after 6 years, he had to renegotiate. He did so with his characteristic solemnity but when he finally was done and got out into the parking lot, he danced a jig in celebration.

I have a friend who vaguely looks like Sir Pat. And to his dying day he will be called Jean-Luc. That, is immortality.

Brilliant actor,pure class

Who can forget his portrayal of Karla in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy :-)

I love and respect the character of Captain Kirk, but Captain Picard is the greatest captain in all of Star Trek, and that's saying a lot because all of the captains have been superb. Picard embodies all that Star Trek and its stories stand for. This is due in no small part to the casting of Patrick Stewart.

Y'know, Variety, wireless lav mics aren't that expensive.

Before Star Trek TNG, I saw him as Sejanus in "I Claudius" (where he had hair), and then as King Claudius in "Hamlet" - both on PBS. And later on, in Dune of course. It helps me to not ONLY see him as Picard. Definitely a first-rate actor.

Ahhh, Patrick... You've forgotten that you were inspirational as Leondegrance in Jon Boorman's Excalibur (1981), some years before Star Trek TNG. - "If a boy has been chosen... Then a boy shall be King!" Acting alongside such echoic voices as that of the timeless Nicol Wiliamson and Nigel Terry (even if Nigel Terry's facial expressions can be so animated that they become a distraction)... Lord Patrick Stewart already *IS* immortal, in my opinion.

capt. picard is a strong name. he did 100% good acting and he was perfect for that role

Patrick Stewart: I wanna do Star Trek but without the Star Trek stuff. CBS: BRILLIANT!

Another era of Star Trek characters moved into the past. Can't fault the guy for not wanting another sci-fi role, because he did an excellent job in the role. They all aged too much for another series, probably another movie to. Just thankful they did both series and movies.

He has truly reached immortality. If humans live another 1000 years, someone will still remember his lifework.

Good story, much better to hear this from Patrick than the "We are not here to have fun" story yet again. Everyone in outer Mongolia has already heard that story!!

I couldn't quite make him out. Did he say Stratford upon Avon was in London at 2:26 ?

Seriously, it was Patrick Stewart that lifted the acting quality of ST-TNG to the level of serious theater. Without him, I doubt that the rest of the cast would have performed as well as they (mostly) did.

Next generation is best Star trek franchise because of patrick stewart and other actors :)

Love that he appreciates his origins and his influence. Class act beginning to end

He is lovely ♡

One of a kind genius in my life time for sure .

You were brilliant in Jeffrey. I was gobsmacked. Being so used to your serious side and a huge star trek fan for years and years , i was thrilled to see a comedy and though i thought I'd be watching Picard type cast in another role. I was so immersed in the new character.. and cmon... the pink boa and the strut. I lost it

He has that, "always surprised" look.

The moral of this unlikely story ... Ian McKellen was so absurdly wrong .... good call, Patrick.

Best actor in the world!

I loved him in Excalibur. His range and role!

I think this where shows like CSI, and others, owe both Paramount, Stewart and Star Trek a favour. Before TNG? Spin-off shows were none existent. Afterwards? They’re the default

Star trek the next generation was just an epic series. Patrick stewart, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, everybody invloved with the show made it into an iconic creation. It further defined Star Trek, and it became a reference to what Star Trek is. I would not be able to imagine it with any other actor or actress.

I earned a film degree in 2005, and now I'm homeless. It's good to know a talent like this has known this kind of fear.

This is probably the only time I'll ever say this, but never have I been more happy that Patrick Stewart didn't listen to Ian McKellen

thought he was gonna say, so they cast me as Professor X.

Yes Captain thanks

The wonderful thing about Patrick Stewarts performances is that you know it's him but it isn't. Each character he portrays the mannerisms the expressions are unique to that character. Before you say that's what acting is there are far too many "actors" that simply play themselves in each of their roles you see no difference, you hear no difference from one character to another.

kinda remind me of what James Cagney once said about wanting to do dance and musical shows, over what he commonly played as the bad guy like he did in white heat and Public Enemy. Sad moments when they say something like they wish they got the chance to do something different and not be given the chance!

It *would* be amazing for the cast/crew to do it just one last time. The box office sales would absolutely be worth the production costs many times over. Damn, the fans would just absolutely love it. I'd even enjoy seeing a touch of cross-over with some Voyager or DS9 characters (I'd say Enterprise as well but the time line wouldn't work...oh hell, I take that back, they could do a time travel thing and make even that work, which I'd also love). I wish they'd consider it before they lose any of the main actors.

Very thoughtful

The greatest, most versatile actor of our time

Patrick Stewart isn't great because he played Jean-Luc Picard - Jean-Luc Picard is great because Patrick Stewart played him. I urge anyone who only knows that role to seek out other work that he's done such as Safehouse, and The Lion in Winter.

What's interesting now is that somewhere there's an alternate earth there where Patrick Stewart was never Captain Picard which most likely would have effected the later movies he was in.

Wild Geese II

Geoffrey is a great film.

Sounds like Ian knows what CBS has done to it to make it not the role he had before! Ian is a brilliant man!

Variety, please use windscreen and high pass filter on your microphone feed. That popping sound is quite distracting. Thanks

Now that's some real news! Never new this story!

Star Trek must be the biggest hit TV franchise in history.

Patrick Stewart looks like an older version of me. Dad?

Simply charming

My Grandfather rarely watched TV but he was a huge fan of the original Star Trek. After watching season 1 of TNG he said " that bald headed guy can't play it like Kirk. Unfortunately he died before The Best of Both Worlds!

Why on earth do they have him holding a mic?

Summary (if it wasn't obvious enough): The most important thing is to believe in yourself (objectively). Working hard is the next important thing.

TNG succeeded for three reasons that the Hollywood people could never understand at the time because Trek was something so different from just a TV show. Reason #1 - the people who loved Trek were like junkies (at least I was) and we needed a fix, even if we were worried that it might not measure up. Reason #2 - they hired very good actors who were able to take characters who were frankly kind of wooden and two dimensional at first and make them relateable without trying to be Kirk, Spock, etc. Reason #3 - the most important of them all - despite some weak early stories and undeveloped characters, they made it STAR TREK - not just some new space opera borrowing words and props from the original. Despite all the early flaws, it was obvious that this was the same sort of aspirational, thoughtful, optimistic show that made Star Trek what it was, so viewers were happy to accept some growing pains because it had all the hallmarks of growing into the great thing it became.

I don't know what it means that people said Star Trek couldn't be revived, and TNG ended up being one of the best recent Star Trek series, even if the first and second seasons had trouble finding their footing. The cast exuded excellence at every turn, and its final episode was the most perfect sendoff of the series. Maybe everyone was just caught up in the fantasy, but I continue to see evidence of quality human experience portrayed in most TNG episodes I rewatch.