“…Time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because they’ll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we’ve lived.”
Cpt. Jean-Luc Picard, USS Star Trek Enterprise
Growing up, the main voice that brought peace enough to get me to sleep without nightmares belonged to the beloved captain-portraying Shakespearean-trained actor, Sir Patrick Stewart.
Truth be told, my journey as an actress followed the same path as his from the stage to the screen. In past interviews and biographies for stage productions, I have mentioned the impact made by him and a longtime goal of mine to perform alongside him.
Matter of fact, years ago, Sir Patrick Stewart was the reason I was inspired to add the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to my small list of UK theatrical schools to audition for [for their MA theatrical programs]. Back then I was denied by the handful or less schools I auditioned for. But whilst abroad, I did in fact see his best friend, Sir Ian McKellen perform in King Lear alongside a good friend of mine.
In the past, Sir Patrick was told that he was not suited for lead roles and would never get them – as I have been told in past as well. And here we are, all across the final frontier mourning the loss of a man who inspired many after being told he would never make it so.
My first theatrical speaking role was in Romeo & Juliet as the Nurse. I was young and did not understand that I had picked up Sir Patrick’s English accent when using my stage voice. I internally wondered why so many complimented an accent I had no idea I had put on…And honestly, have been told I still do.
A decade or so after my starting to perform, I was cast as my first lead in Tartuffe – defying the same pessimistic advice I was also given. And however many years later I was cast in the premiere west coast performance of A Klingon Christmas Carol as bel* – a role I thought impossible due to the formerly mentioned discourage given.
*bel is the official spelling of the character name in Klingon (thlIngan).
Along this bold journey, Helen Hong and I both shared to each other how inspirational he was to us. Matter-of-factly, she did achieve the dream we’d both shared. And now, she’s shared pieces of that same achieved dream for all to see.
“They say to never meet your heroes. But in this case, they were wrong. Not only did I get to meet my childhood hero, but I got to work with him. I got to work with him and get to know him!…And let me tell you, he was everything you want him to be. Humble, down to earth, gracious, wonderful...He set the tone on the show to be lighthearted and joyful. He worked hard, but you could tell he loved it. I quickly learned that working with Patrick Stewart was BETTER than working with Captain Picard…”
– Helen Hong
And now, more words in memoriam from those alongside him whilst making his dream so…
“…I will never ever ever forget that kindness.”
– Marina Sirtis
“He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”
– Sir Ian McKellen
“I feel so grateful to have known him for the last 25 years … both as a fellow mutant and as a fellow member of Starfleet. He was positively delicious, hilarious, naughty, incredible sense of humor, and that booming voice of his that always spoke to the very back of the room, as every classically trained Shakespearean great needs to master. …Rest in peace, Patrick.”
– Jonathan Frakes
“Great memories, unforgettable man. Rest in Peace.”
– Gates McFadden
“See you on the next holodeck.”
– Whoopi Goldberg
*Featured Article Image Credit: J. Kempin
*Other Images non-labeled: Helen Hong & Sah