Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart was knighted earlier today by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his career.
The 69 year old Stewart is a theatrical veteran, and regarded as one of the best classically trained actors of his generation. A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for the past 44 years, he has appeared in more than 60 productions with the Company alone. Stewart’s most recent theater role found him playing the Bard himself in Edward Bond’s Boingo.
Stewart was never afraid to apply his classical training to more unconventional projects. He is much-beloved in the nerd community for his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation as Captain Jean Luc Picard and his part as Professor Xavier in the X-Men films, alongside fellow knight Sir Ian McKellan.
While most people would be surprised to hear that Sir Patrick was not already knighted, Stewart described the knighthood as “an unlooked-for honor.”
“The knights of the theater represented to me not only the pinnacle of the profession but the esteem in which the profession was held.” He continued. “To find myself, to my astonishment, in that company is the grandest thing that has professionally happened to me.”
We here at Hollywood congratulate Stewart, and wish him luck in all his future enterprises. To commemorate Sir Stewart’s new role as defender of the realm, we’ve included a tribute to what may have previously been the highpoint of his career: the Picard Song.
Source: BBC News
