Gates McFadden Heralds the End of an Era Following Patrick Stewart's Death
The former Star Trek co-star shared a personal tribute on social media, reflecting on Stewart's impact as both an actor and a cultural leader.
By Aiko Sato ·
Gates McFadden posted a tribute to her former 'Star Trek' co-star Patrick Stewart on social media on Monday. The post followed the announcement of Stewart's death on October 28. McFadden, who played Dr. Beverly Crusher opposite Stewart for decades, described the actor's passing as a peaceful event that occurred in the arms of his wife, Sunny Ozell.
In the post, McFadden expressed a wish that Stewart's final moment had taken place on stage. She noted that Stewart loved the theater more than any other art form. She imagined him dying during a performance, specifically suggesting a scene from 'A Christmas Carol' or his role as Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice.' McFadden called her portrayal of Shylock her favorite onstage performance she ever witnessed.
She explained that such a dramatic exit would have allowed her to see him one last time. Although she knew he was ill, she admitted to hoping for another encounter. She stated that visualizing a final performance helped her process the loss. The tribute highlighted how Stewart's influence extended far beyond the screen.
McFadden observed that the internet was filled with thousands of tributes to the Yorkshire-born actor. She described his reach across continents as massive. She argued that Stewart was not just the captain of the Enterprise crew but a figure who inspired many people through his conduct. She characterized him as a leader who cared deeply about the ethics of his speech.
The actress stated that the character of Jean-Luc Picard stood in contrast to many contemporary political leaders. She credited Stewart with bringing eloquence, seriousness, and intellect to the role. She noted that the character was the antithesis of the political climate she observed. She suggested that the public reaction to his death revealed a strong human desire for good leadership.
McFadden wrote that people work hard for leaders they respect because of their principles. She claimed that such leaders enlighten followers and give them hope. She argued that dedication to fairness inspires people to believe solutions exist for difficult problems. She attributed the success of the 'Star Trek' vision to the collective work of Gene Roddenberry and the show's writers, but credited Stewart with fulfilling that dream through his acting and public demeanor.
She stated that Stewart understood the need for heroes. McFadden argued that society suffers when people fear retribution or feel forced into blind obedience. She said that good leaders urge the public to demand justice and truth. She noted that without belief in the basic goodness of leaders, people lose faith in their institutions and their collective future.
The tribute concluded by connecting Stewart's work to the human search for hope. McFadden stated that people turn to art, music, and literature to escape daily despair. She wrote that Jean-Luc Picard embodied the ideal of a leader who understands sacrifice and responsibility. She noted that for some, the loss of the character hurts more than the loss of the actor. McFadden ended by stating that the character gave people hope.
McFadden appeared as Dr. Beverly Crusher in all but the second season of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation.' She also starred in the films 'Star Trek Generations,' 'Star Trek: First Contact,' 'Star Trek: Insurrection,' and 'Star Trek: Nemesis.' She returned to the role in the third season of 'Star Trek: Picard' and made cameo appearances in 'Star Trek: Prodigy.'
