50 Photos of Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the Set of the Sci-Fi “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987)

Legendary British stage and screen actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, California. According to an official statement from his family and representative, his passing followed a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He spent his final days held in the warm embrace of family and friends, with his wife, singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, by his side.

He battled Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, with his family sharing a poignant statement regarding his final moments. Memorial contributions have been requested for the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources. Stewart left an indelible mark globally through iconic roles including Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, and celebrated classical performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

When Sir Patrick Stewart stepped onto the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, he was a 47-year-old classically trained Shakespearean actor taking an immense professional gamble. Cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Stewart brought an unprecedented level of gravitas, elegance, and philosophical depth to the bridge of the USS Enterprise-D, completely redefining what a sci-fi hero could be.

The road to the bridge of the Enterprise was famously challenging. Coming from the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, Stewart was bald, British, and relatively unknown to American television audiences. Franchise creator Gene Roddenberry was initially highly skeptical that Stewart was right for the role, though he was ultimately won over by the actor’s undeniable commanding presence.

Unlike the instinctive, action-first style of William Shatner’s Captain Kirk, Stewart’s Picard led through intellect, strict moral authority, diplomacy, and reason. Over 7 seasons (178 episodes) and four feature films, the boundary between actor and character completely dissolved. Stewart frequently noted that by the end of the show’s run, there was a total overlap between his own personality and Picard’s.

Following the devastating news of Sir Patrick Stewart’s passing, his Star Trek family across multiple generations shared deeply emotional tributes, remembering him not just as their fictional commander, but as a deeply respected friend and an incredibly fun-loving presence on set.

LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, and Wil Wheaton shared heartfelt reflections on their deep personal and professional bonds with Stewart, remembering him as family, a beloved mentor, and surprisingly silly behind the scenes. Jeri Ryan, Alison Pill, and Isa Briones also posted emotional farewells from their time on Picard, highlighting his passion for his craft, fondness for mischief, and appreciation for classic Westerns and fresh produce.

William Shatner and George Takei honored Stewart’s immense legacy, noting the humanity and grace he brought to the captain's chair and the inspiration he provided to generations of fans. Executive producer Alex Kurtzman and Picard showrunner Terry Matalas expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to work with Stewart, remembering his dedication to breaking new ground for the character.

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Anna Carin Bjorck: The Elegant Swedish Beauty of Mid-Century Fashion

Anna Carin Bjorck was a Swedish fashion model who rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Known for her refined Nordic beauty and graceful presence, Bjorck appeared in major American fashion magazines, particularly Vogue, where she was photographed by renowned photographers such as John Rawlings, Irving Penn, and Karen Radkai. She modeled elegant ready-to-wear and couture looks, often posed with classic American cars of the era, embodying the sophisticated style of the mid-century.

After her modeling career, Bjorck married into prominent American and later British aristocratic circles. Today she is remembered as one of the elegant international faces of postwar fashion photography. These glamorous photos capture the refined beauty and timeless elegance of Anna Carin Bjorck, a standout Swedish model of mid-century fashion.

Anna Carin Bjorck in a white silk surah shirt and silk surah skirt in black and white geometric, photo by Frances McLaughlin-Gill, Vogue, February 1, 1960

Actor-comedian Orson Bean with Anna who's wearing a backless dress with black silk bodice and white organdie tiers by Luis Estévez, earrings by Hattie Carnegie, photo by Howell Conant, May 1960

Anna Carin Bjorck in beige and black tiger-striped shirt and pants by Suburbia worn with beige cashmere sweater tied at the waist by Berhard Altmann, photo by Jerry Schatzberg, Vogue, February 15, 1960

Anna Carin Bjorck in beige Orlon sweater by Talbott and pleated Glen plaid skirt by Suburbia, gold bracelets by Erwin Pearl photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, January 1, 1960

Anna Carin Bjorck in black crêpe halter top and white silk organza skirt from Best & Co., white beaded hoop earrings by Coro, photo by William Bell on Beekman Tower Terrace, Vogue, June 1, 1960

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28 Rarely Seen of a Very Young and Beautiful Elke Sommer in 1959

German actress Elke Sommer, the iconic 1960s Hollywood bombshell who starred in A Shot in the Dark and The Prize, has died at the age of 85. She passed away from heart failure on Wednesday night, October 28, 2026, at her residence in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her stepson, Sebastian Walther, confirmed her peaceful passing, following the July 2026 death of her husband, Wolf Walther.

In 1959, 18-year-old Elke Sommer launched her professional acting career in Europe after a chance discovery in Italy. Still known largely by her birth name, Elke Schletz, she transitioned rapidly from an au pair student into a rising cinematic star.

Her breakthrough year was defined by several pivotal moments. While vacationing with her mother in Viareggio, Italy, she won a local seaside beauty pageant. A snapshot of her victory printed in the local newspaper caught the eye of legendary Italian director Vittorio De Sica. De Sica cast her in the Italian comedy Men and Noblemen (Uomini e nobiluomini). She also made her first film appearances in The Friend of the Jaguar (L’amico del giaguaro).

Recognizing that her German surname “Schletz” was difficult for international audiences to pronounce, she officially adopted the warmer, more inviting stage name Elke Sommer. Alongside her Italian features, she crossed back into the German film industry, notably appearing in the drama The Day the Rains Came (Am Tag, als der Regen kam). By the end of 1959, Sommer was working nonstop across Europe, laying the exact foundation that would turn her into an international 1960s Hollywood icon

Sommer was also an accomplished painter inspired by Marc Chagall, holding numerous solo exhibitions. In the 1980s, she won a prominent $3.3 million defamation lawsuit against Zsa Zsa Gabor. Per her wishes, she will be buried in Marloffstein, Germany, alongside her family and late husband.

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40 Lovely Mid-Century Photos of Kids in Halloween Costumes

These lovely mid-century photos capture children dressed up in Halloween costumes during the 1950s and ’60s. The images show kids in a mix of homemade and store-bought outfits: ghosts, witches, pirates, clowns, skeletons, and popular characters of the time, posing proudly before heading out for trick-or-treating or parties.

Many of the costumes reflect the simpler, often handmade style of the era, full of charm and creativity. These photos offer a warm and nostalgic glimpse of childhood Halloween celebrations more than half a century ago.

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30 Stunning Studio Portraits of Kate Jackson in 1976

Lucy Kate Jackson (born October 29, 1948) is an American actress and television producer. In the mid-1970s, she skyrocketed to international stardom as the intelligent, level-headed leader of the original Charlie’s Angels. The era marked a massive turning point in her career, transforming her from a steady television actress into a defining pop culture and fashion icon.

While Jackson had gained earlier recognition playing Jill Danko on The Rookies (1972–1976), her career skyrocketed in 1976 when she helped develop and star in ABC’s smash-hit series Charlie’s Angels. She portrayed Sabrina Duncan, famously known as the smart, grounded, and intuitive leader of the trio alongside Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith. Jackson played a key role in pitching the show’s concept, she reportedly suggested the name “Charlie’s Angels” (replacing the original working title, Harry’s Angels) after seeing a picture of angels in a producer's office.

Unlike the glamour-heavy or bombshell aesthetics of her co-stars, Jackson stood out for her effortless, tailored sophistication. Her signature short, brunette dark shag haircut with soft bangs was widely copied throughout the mid-to-late 1970s as a sleek alternative to Farrah Fawcett’s iconic feathering.

On and off screen, her look leaned toward crisp button-downs, wide-collared blazers, turtlenecks, high-waisted trousers, and tailored denim. It gave her a confident, practical, and approachable modern-woman look that appealed to viewers wanting a stylish yet functional daily aesthetic.

Jackson’s performance on Charlie’s Angels earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations during the late 1970s. By 1978 and 1979, she was recognized as a versatile dramatic talent, though she famously had to pass on starring in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) due to her Charlie’s Angels shooting schedule, a role that ultimately went to Meryl Streep.

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Portraits of Barbara Barrie in 1974

Oscar-nominated and Tony-nominated actress Barbara Barrie has died at the age of 95. Her daughter, Jane Harnick, and her agent confirmed that she passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at her home in Manhattan. Her passing was a medically assisted death following a terminal cancer diagnosis, in accordance with the New York State Medical Aid in Dying Law, a legislation Barrie had actively advocated for.

Barrie was a celebrated character actress whose career spanned more than six decades across film, television, and Broadway. She earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her beloved role as Evelyn Stohler in Breaking Away (1979). She later received an Emmy nomination when she reprised the character for the 1980 television spin-off. In a rare early starring role, she won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her powerful performance in One Potato, Two Potato (1964).

On Broadway, she was the original Sarah in Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical Company (1970), a performance that earned her a Tony Award nomination. Audiences widely recognized her as Elizabeth Miller, the wife of Hal Linden’s title character on the 1970s hit comedy Barney Miller, and as “Nana” Keane, the sharp-witted grandmother to Brooke Shields on all four seasons of the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan.

Born Barbara Ann Berman in Chicago in 1931, she grew up in Texas before moving to New York City to launch her theater career. In addition to her acting work, Barrie was a published author who wrote two candid, optimistic memoirs (Second Act and Don't Die of Embarrassment) chronicling her 1994 diagnosis and recovery from rectal cancer. She was also open about her later battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease.

Barrie was married to actor and director Jay Harnick from 1964 until his death in 2007. She is survived by their two children, Jane and Aaron. Rest in peace, Barbara Barrie!

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Faith Domergue: The Sultry Scream Queen of 1950s Sci-Fi

Faith Domergue (1924 or 1925–1999) was an American actress known for her dark beauty and memorable roles in 1950s science fiction and horror films.

Discovered as a teenager by Howard Hughes, Domergue was signed to a contract and groomed for stardom, though her early career was marked by delays and limited opportunities. She gained lasting recognition in the mid-1950s with appearances in cult classics such as This Island Earth (1955), It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955), and Cult of the Cobra (1955), earning her a place among the era’s early “scream queens.”

With her striking features and intense screen presence, Domergue remains a distinctive figure of mid-century genre cinema. These captivating photos highlight the dark beauty and dramatic presence of Faith Domergue, a memorable face of 1950s science fiction and film noir.

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