Sunny Ozell, the widow of legendary British actor Patrick Stewart, has broken her silence following his death, sharing an emotional tribute to her husband and reflecting on their nearly two decades together.
The 47-year-old singer and songwriter said the couple had expressed their love for each other fully before his passing, adding that she was grateful for the time they shared despite the grief of losing him.
Stewart, best known for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, died on October 28 at his Los Angeles home, aged 86.
Sunny Ozell Says Couple Left Nothing Unsaid
In a social media post on Wednesday, Ozell shared a photograph of herself embracing Stewart and revealed that she had been experiencing waves of grief since his death.
She wrote: “Today marks two weeks since Patrick passed, and the grief continues to come in waves.
But I’ve also been experiencing such deep, profound gratitude. We left nothing unsaid.
“He knew I loved him, and I know he loved me.
Patrick and I truly, authentically saw one another, and we amplified each other’s best qualities.
We shared nearly two decades together, and we filled those years with so much living.”
Ozell also thanked members of the public who had expressed their condolences following the actor’s death.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the public response to Patrick’s death, and while I’m not at all surprised that he touched so many, I’m sincerely moved by the outpouring of sadness and loss.
“Thank you all for your condolences, they mean so, so much to me. My heart had to grow to contain my love for Patrick, and he changed me for the better, forever,” she added.
Actor Died Following Battle With Dementia
Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles on October 28 following what his representatives described as a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
His death was announced in a statement shared on his official Instagram account by spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak.
The statement revealed that Ozell was beside him when he died and that he had spent his final moments surrounded by family and friends.
“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all,” the statement read.
It continued: “We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.
“His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre.”
The statement also recognised his contributions to entertainment and his humanitarian work, including advocacy for human rights, survivors of domestic violence, refugees, veterans’ mental health services and animal welfare.
Stewart was also remembered as a Knight, Chancellor, motorsport enthusiast and lifelong supporter of Huddersfield Town Football Club.
“He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role — in his art and life,” the statement concluded.
Stewart and Ozell Married in 2013
Ozell was Stewart’s third wife. The couple married in September 2013 in a ceremony held on the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Their wedding was officiated by Stewart’s close friend and fellow actor Sir Ian McKellen, who registered as a minister with the Universal Life Church specifically to conduct the ceremony.
The pair first met in 2008 through a mutual friend while Ozell was working as a waitress in New York.
Recalling their first encounter, Stewart previously described feeling an immediate attraction to her.
He explained that Ozell had approached his table to offer dessert on the house after her manager instructed her to do so.
They struck up a conversation, and she told him she wanted to see Macbeth.
Stewart subsequently gave her his mobile phone number.
Describing his impression of her, he said he found her intelligent, interesting, attractive and pleasant to talk to.
In a 2015 interview with The Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine, Ozell discussed adjusting to life with Stewart and meeting his children from his first marriage.
She said she had approached the situation carefully because she did not want to impose herself on them but found them welcoming.
Ozell also dismissed concerns about the couple’s age difference, saying Stewart’s youthful outlook helped bridge the gap.
Actor Previously Spoke About Estrangement From His Children
Before his death, Stewart had spoken publicly about the difficulties in his relationships with his two children, Daniel and Sophie, whom he shared with his first wife, Sheila Falconer.
In a 2023 interview with the Irish Independent, the actor described experiencing significant grief over his estrangement from them.
He said their relationship had become practically non-existent, admitting that he had not expected things to turn out that way.
“Given that I’m separated from my children now – we don’t have relationships – they have become very important,” he said.
Stewart acknowledged that his demanding acting career had affected his family life, admitting that he frequently prioritised professional commitments over spending time with his children.
“I always put my acting work first, before my family,” he said.
He added that he regretted not being more present when they were growing up and believed he could have done better as a parent.
The actor also expressed hope that he could make up for lost time through his relationships with his grandchildren.
In his 2023 memoir, Making It So, Stewart described his relationship with Daniel and Sophie as a work in progress.
He also revealed that he maintained a close relationship with his four grandchildren, describing them as remarkable.
Stewart and Falconer married in 1966 and divorced in 1990.
They had two children together: Daniel, now 59, and Sophie, now 54.
His second marriage was to Wendy Neuss, a producer of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
They married in 2000 but divorced three years later.
Patrick Stewart’s Career Spanned Theatre, Television and Film
Although he became internationally recognised through major television and film productions, Stewart spent much of his early career performing on stage.
Born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, he began acting at the age of 12.
He grew up in a working-class family. His mother, Gladys Barrowclough, worked in the textile industry, while his father, Alfred Stewart, served in the military.
Stewart previously spoke about experiencing a difficult childhood, describing his father as abusive and recalling that he often lived in fear.
His interest in acting and Shakespeare developed after his English teacher, Cecil Dormand, introduced him to The Merchant of Venice.
In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Stewart recalled how the language captivated him even though he initially struggled to understand it.
He credited Dormand with introducing him to Shakespeare and encouraging him to pursue acting. The teacher also paid for his first formal acting lessons.
Stewart later said that the experience helped him find an escape from his difficult home environment and gave him hope for a different future.
Royal Shakespeare Company and Broadway Career
In 1966, Stewart joined the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, beginning a long association with classical theatre.
He made his London theatrical debut that year and subsequently performed with the Old Vic company.
His Broadway debut came in 1971 when he played Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Over the years, he performed numerous Shakespearean roles, including Claudius and Macbeth, while also earning recognition for his work in contemporary theatre.
His performance in the West End production of Antony and Cleopatra earned him a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
He also became known for his one-man performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Alongside fellow actor Ian McKellen, Stewart performed in productions of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot in both the West End and on Broadway.
In 2008, he played Claudius in Hamlet, earning his third Laurence Olivier Award.
Star Trek Made Stewart an International Star
Stewart’s international breakthrough came in 1987 when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The English actor initially doubted that he would remain in the role, believing the producers might reconsider their casting decision after the pilot episode.
He later revealed that he did not unpack his bags for six weeks because he expected to be dismissed.
However, the series became a major success, establishing him as one of the most recognisable figures in science fiction television.
His portrayal of Picard earned widespread acclaim, and he reprised the character in several films, including Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).
He returned to the character once again in the television series Star Trek: Picard, which ran from 2020 to 2023.
Stewart also gained considerable recognition for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise between 2000 and 2017.
His Film and Television Work Extended Beyond Major Franchises
Beyond his most celebrated roles, Stewart appeared in numerous film, television and animation projects.
His screen credits included Masterminds and an appearance in The Simpsons.
He also lent his voice to animated productions, including Gnomeo and Juliet (2011), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (2013) and The Emoji Movie (2017).
The actor was also considered for roles in Doctor Who: The Movie and Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), although the latter role of Willy Wonka eventually went to Johnny Depp.
Despite his success in film and television, Stewart continued returning to the theatre throughout his career.
His performance in Macbeth also earned him a Tony Award nomination.
In December 1996, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to entertainment.
Stewart Received Knighthood for Services to Drama
In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Stewart for his services to drama.
The actor described the honour as recognition of the actors, directors and creative teams who had contributed to his career and personal development.
He said the award embraced the people who had filled his life with inspiration, companionship and enjoyment.
Throughout his career, Stewart also remained involved in charitable and humanitarian causes, supporting organisations and campaigns focused on human rights, domestic violence survivors, refugees, veterans and animal welfare.
He was particularly passionate about animal welfare and his foster pit bulls.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, his two children, Daniel and Sophie, and his four grandchildren.
