Actor Patrick Stewart dies at age 86

British actor Patrick Stewart died on October 28, aged 86. He had been living with two brain conditions: Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. His family said his death followed a short illness connected to these conditions.

Stewart was famous for playing Captain Picard in Star Trek and Professor X in the X-Men films. Many people around the world have shared their sadness at his death.

Alzheimer's disease is well known to most people, but Lewy body dementia is less familiar. It is caused by unusual protein deposits that build up in the brain and damage it over time. It is actually the second most common form of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's. Stewart's death has brought wider attention to this condition.