Whoopi Goldberg has one final message for her Star Trek co-star and friend of 38 years Patrick Stewart
‘See you on the next holodeck.’
Whoopi Goldberg has shared a final, heartfelt message for her longtime Star Trek co-star and friend of 38 years, Sir Patrick Stewart. According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor passed away on October 28, 2026, at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy that stretched from the bridge of the Enterprise to the hearts of his many friends and colleagues.
Goldberg, who worked with Stewart for decades, chose a simple but poignant farewell on Instagram on Friday, October 30. She posted a photo of toy versions of their iconic characters, Guinan and Jean-Luc Picard, standing side by side. Her caption was short and sweet, saying, “See you on the next holodeck,” before adding a final “RIP.”
The bond between these two legends started on the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation, where they worked together from 1988 to 1993. Stewart famously portrayed the commanding Captain Jean-Luc Picard, while Goldberg brought the character of Guinan to life. Guinan was the bartender and counselor on the Enterprise-D ship, often serving as a trusted confidante for the crew. Their professional relationship blossomed into a friendship that lasted long after the cameras stopped rolling.
One of the most memorable moments in their long history together happened on The View
During a 2020 broadcast of The View that Goldberg co-hosts, Stewart surprised her on air. He personally invited her to return to her role as Guinan for the second season of his Star Trek: Picard series. The audience erupted in applause as Goldberg beamed with joy. She stood up to hug Stewart and enthusiastically accepted his invitation with a clear “Yes!”
Reflecting on their shared history, Goldberg grew visibly emotional during that segment. She noted, “I’ve said this on the show before, but Star Trek was one of the great experiences, from the beginning to the end.” She added, “I had the best, best, best time ever.” Stewart then replied to her, saying, “Well, wonderful having you, and we cannot wait to have you with us again.” Goldberg stayed true to her word and appeared in scenes across season 2 of the project in 2022.
Beyond their Star Trek work, the two also co-starred in the 1994 film The Pagemaster, which featured Home Alone actor Macaulay Culkin. Their friendship was a constant presence, and they even reunited on The View in early 2023 for a massive Star Trek cast reunion. That special event brought together other Next Generation stars, including Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, and Michael Dorn.
Stewart was not always certain about returning to the Picard role
Ahead of the debut of his series, he admitted he felt he had done everything he could with the character. He stated, “I’m very proud of the work we did on Next Generation – most of our work – but I felt I had said and done everything I could about Jean-Luc Picard and didn’t see any point.” Producer Alex Kurtzman explained the shift in perspective, noting, “That’s when he understood we were dedicated to exploring a new chapter in a way that hadn’t been done before.”
The news of Stewart’s passing was confirmed by his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak. According to PEOPLE, she shared that the actor died following “a brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Her statement highlighted the grace with which he handled his final days.
“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 said. She also noted, “We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”
The tribute from his spokesperson also touched on the scope of his career. It mentioned that “He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise.”
Many other Star Trek actors have shared their own memories of Stewart
William Shatner, who appeared with Stewart in the 1994 film Star Trek Generations, offered a moving tribute. He wrote, “Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor.” He further stated, “From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did. Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work.”
Rebecca Romijn, who worked with Stewart on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the X-Men franchise, also shared her thoughts on Instagram. She mentioned, “I feel so grateful to have known him for the last 25 years and to have been in his orbit for that last 25 years, both as a fellow mutant and as a fellow member of Starfleet.”
Romijn recalled his humor, noting he was “positively delicious, hilarious, naughty… incredible sense of humor.” She added that his voice was something special, stating it “always spoke to the very back of the room, as every classically trained Shakespearean great needs to master.”
Stewart’s impact on his friends and co-stars was profound. Goldberg’s simple message serves as a reminder of the joy they shared both on and off the screen. Their friendship was a special part of the Star Trek legacy.
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