Was Patrick Stewart Gay? His Sexuality, Marriages and Friendship With Ian McKellen
Was Patrick Stewart gay? The question has resurfaced following the British actor’s death on October 28, 2026, at age 86.
Stewart, celebrated for playing Captain Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X Men, was not gay.
He was widely described as straight and was a longtime supporter of LGBTQ rights. Much of the confusion came from a reporting mistake and his affectionate friendship with fellow actor Ian McKellen.
Stewart died at his Los Angeles home, where his wife, Sunny Ozell, was caring for him. His family said he had experienced Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. As tributes spread, renewed interest in his personal life brought an old question back into public discussion.
Why People Believed Patrick Stewart Was Gay
In February 2014, The Guardian mistakenly referred to Stewart as gay in an article discussing actor Elliot Page’s public coming out, when Page was known professionally as Ellen Page. The newspaper corrected the wording after the error attracted attention.
Stewart responded with humor instead of anger. On social media, he joked about having heterosexual friends and teased the newspaper for getting his identity wrong.
The episode became a memorable example of how quickly an inaccurate description can circulate online.
Stewart also publicly supported LGBTQ rights. But supporting LGBTQ people does not establish anyone’s sexual orientation.
He spoke favorably about equality and showed that support openly, especially through his longstanding friendship with McKellen, who was openly gay.
Patrick Stewart’s Three Marriages and Family Life
Stewart married three times during his life. His first wife was dancer and choreographer Sheila Falconer, whom he married in 1966. They had two children, Daniel and Sophie, before divorcing in 1990.
In 2000, Stewart married television producer Wendy Neuss, who had worked on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2003.
His third wife was American singer and songwriter Sunny Ozell. They married in September 2013 and remained together until Stewart’s death. Ozell was with him during his final illness, according to the family’s announcement.
These relationships were part of Stewart’s publicly documented personal life. More importantly, contemporary reporting about the 2014 newspaper error explicitly identified him as straight. His marriages alone are not a reliable way to determine someone’s sexuality.
His Remarkable Friendship With Ian McKellen
Stewart and McKellen first crossed paths as young actors in the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their close friendship developed years later, particularly while working together as Professor X and Magneto in the X Men films.
The pair regularly appeared together in interviews, on stage and at public events. They sometimes held hands or shared playful kisses, gestures that drew questions from fans unfamiliar with their relationship. They were friends, not a married couple.
McKellen even officiated Stewart and Ozell’s 2013 wedding, a detail that captures how close the two actors had become.
Following Stewart’s death, McKellen remembered his friend’s Yorkshire roots, honesty and warmth. His tribute described a person he deeply admired and loved.
Stewart’s legacy extends far beyond a question about his sexuality. He was an acclaimed actor, a devoted friend and a visible ally to LGBTQ communities. His friendship with McKellen was never evidence of a hidden romance. It showed that affection, loyalty and respect can define a lasting friendship without being romantic.
