"What we leave behind is not as important how we lived."-Captain Picard (Star Trek: Generations 1994)
I can not tell you exactly when i first saw him as Gurney Halleck in the 1984 adaptation of Dune, it was a film I watched over and over again at a young age before I ever the book. I don't think I started watching Star Trek: The Next Generation 'til probably season 3 when I was about 5-6, but from there on it was every episode as they aired, and will forever by favorite TV show. Then as a huge X-Men comic book fan it was a dream come true to see him portray Professor Charles Xavier in 2000, there has never been and never will be another perfect example of actor bringing to life a pen & ink character then that casting.
As Gurney he gave us the stoic loyal warrior, but also caring mentor. As Captain Picard he inspired us by displaying the virtues and gamut of human emotions and sensibilities. As Professor X he was the welcoming optimist, teacher, and defender of those who were different from the excepted norm.
Without hyperbole or exaggeration I can tell you this hurts. Knowing the aging actors of our beloved movies and TV shows of our childhood and formative years will one day no longer be in the world with us has always been a bitter but inevitable lesson to except. Rewatching those pieces of comfort entertainment goes from revisiting a performer's work to each presentation now being an archival memoriam to their legacy.
Goodbye Warmaster. Good journey Captain. Farewell Professor.
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