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Patrick Stewart dies at 86

Patrick Stewart died in Los Angeles Wednesday following an Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia diagnosis. He was 86.

Known for his work in Shakespearean Theatre, playing Oberon, Macbeth and more, Stewart most recently reprised his role as Professor Charles Xavier for the upcoming movie "Avengers: Doomsday" which is set to release in December.

New Ulm native Tim Werner, who was Patrick Stewart's stunt double for the past decade, credited Stewart for Werner getting into classical theatre.

"I didn't like Shakespeare when I first read it. I didn't understand it," Werner said. "But watching him, I saw him in Excalibur and his presence was just so amazing and powerful. It was understandable exactly what he was saying even though he was talking in Shakespeare verse."

Stewart's performance led Werner to getting his degree in Classical and Musical Theatre from Mankato State University.

One of Werner's favorite memories with Stewart was on the set of "Logan."

"We were filming Logan and they flew me down to New Orleans and I walked into the set. The only three people there were me, Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman," Werner said. "I knew both of them but they both tried introducing me to the other one. I was just flabbergasted that these two amazing actors that had been my idols were introducing me to each other."

"He was an amazing man, I was so blessed to be able to work with him and know him and have him as my friend," Werner said.