Los Angeles/ December, 2016 – His superhero characters have saved the world many times on film and television, but people may not know that actor Patrick Stewart has also involved himself in many social causes and issues, which is why the International Press Academy (IPA) is proud to name him as the recipient of its Humanitarian Award for the 21st Annual Satellite™ Awards.
Past recipients have included journalist and filmmakers Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, who co-directed “Restrepo”, as well as Benh Zeitlin (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”) and actress Connie Stevens.
Known in TV and film as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek; The Next Generation” and as the wheelchair-bound Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” movies, Stewart has saved the world countless times as an actor, but remains a tireless activist and humanitarian as well. He lends his name to raise money for scholarships, United Nations organizations and charity groups such as Amnesty International, Beat Bullying, Precious Paws, The Make A Difference Trust, Dignity in Dying, Variety Club, Whatever it Takes and the Refuge and Combat Stress organization.
“Having played many roles of scientific intellect, I do have empathy for the world,” says Stewart, who was also knighted, but doesn’t want to be called “Sir”. He witnessed domestic abuse as a child and his father suffered post-traumatic stress from WWII, so he has leant his name to help with those issues – particularly Combat Stress, for veterans in the UK.
He donned a cowboy hat and recorded “Patrick Stewart’s Cowboy Classics” to benefit global relief efforts in Europe and the Middle East through the International Rescue Committee.
Stewart also carried the Olympic Torch in July 2012 as part of the London Olympic Relay which he said was better than any movie premiere. The IPA is thrilled to honor this real-life superhero for his superhuman humanitarian efforts with its Humanitarian Award.
