Kelsey Grammer Honors Patrick Stewart Ahead of Their Final ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Reunion

The mutant reunion at the heart of ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ was always going to be a nostalgic event for ‘X-Men’ fans. It has now become something far more emotional, especially for Kelsey Grammer, whose friendship with Patrick Stewart stretched back decades and across several franchises.

Their paths first crossed on television. Grammer appeared on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ as Captain Morgan Bateson in the episode “Cause and Effect,” and Stewart later returned the favor as opera conductor Alistair Burke on ‘Frasier’ in the 2003 episode “The Doctor Is Out.” They then shared the screen as mutants, with Grammer debuting as Beast in ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ opposite Stewart’s Professor X.

Now, in a CBS News segment about reuniting with Stewart on the new film, Grammer spoke about his late friend with obvious warmth. “He was just a remarkable man. And that marvelous voice, you know?” he said. He added that Stewart’s presence will always stay with the people who worked beside him.

Kelsey Grammer on reuniting with Patrick Stewart for ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ “He was just a remarkable man. And that marvelous voice, you know? So he lives with us always.” (🎥: @CBSNews) https://t.co/zP0gZHeZH6

— Avengers Updates (@AvengersUpdated) November 10, 2026

Stewart died at 86 at his home in Los Angeles, and a statement shared on his social media said he passed after a brief illness with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The news came on Oct. 29, less than two months before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ arrives in theaters on Dec. 18. Marvel Studios paid tribute by praising the grace, intelligence and humanity he brought to Charles Xavier.

Tributes poured in from across his career. Ian McKellen, his friend since their early days at the Royal Shakespeare Company, shared an emotional farewell, while the official ‘Star Trek’ account honored him with images of Captain Picard. His last interview, with TV Insider about three months earlier, found him insisting he had no plans to retire.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is now his final film role, and he completed his work on it before his death. Stewart and Ian McKellen were confirmed for the movie in March 2025, as part of a record-breaking announcement that named 27 actors. A trailer released in January also showed Professor X playing chess with Magneto, a small moment that now carries extra weight.

Grammer has spoken about the friendship before. In an earlier interview with Screen Rant, he described himself and Stewart as “old pals” and said joining the Marvel reunion had been a joy. His mention of Stewart’s ‘Frasier’ guest turn was a reminder of how deeply their working relationship ran.

After Stewart’s death, Grammer also issued a statement of condolence, sending love to Stewart’s family and fans. He reportedly called Stewart’s ‘Frasier’ appearance among the greatest guest performances the show ever had, and said time spent with him was always well spent.

Grammer’s own return as Beast has been a labor of love. He has said he always hoped to play the character again, and he first resurfaced in the post-credits scene of ‘The Marvels’ in 2023. Marvel later confirmed him as part of the ‘Doomsday’ ensemble, putting him back alongside several former castmates.

Those castmates include McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. Channing Tatum is also expected back as Gambit, and the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe, are directing the film. For longtime fans of the original ‘X-Men’ movies, it is the biggest gathering of that cast in years.

He used to be different. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere December 18. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/J5PUbxvAkc https://t.co/OUutSMZneq

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 15, 2026

Marvel has kept the story tightly under wraps, and Grammer has reportedly said he knows very little about the finished movie. By his account, he expects to be as surprised as everyone else when it arrives. That secrecy only adds to the anticipation around how the film will treat the returning mutants.

For many viewers, though, the movie has also become a farewell. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has recalled the first time he saw Stewart on the set of the original ‘X-Men,’ a memory that bookends a career spanning more than two decades in the role. Grammer’s tribute captures what many fans are feeling as Professor X prepares for one last appearance.

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