Patrick Stewart at Wizard World 2011

Sir Patrick Stewart appeared at Wizard World 2011 to discuss how acting as a Start Trek captain changed his life and how he got the job as Professor X in the X Men because he looked the part. Plus, he shared many brilliant stories from his career and was the butt of more than a few jokes from his son Daniel who also shared the stage with him.

Stewart credits the intense working environment on Star Trek and his close relationship with his co-stars as the reason he developed a sense of humor. Beforehand, he was completely serious and at one time, he scolded his cast-mates for having too much fun on the job. They shrugged off being chastised by him but they never let him forgot his admonishment and would sometimes use his own words against him for a laugh. He feels as though the nurtured his ability to be funny.

As for becoming Professor X in X Men, Stewart says he entered the casting agent’s office and she showed him an X Men comic book and he asked her “Why am I on the cover of a comic book?” and she responded “Exactly!” He went on to explain that he was loathe to take the job as he felt that being Capt. Picard was already an albatross around his neck but his son Daniel convinced him to take the role, which he doesn’t regret.

His son Daniel let out that Sir Patrick had been out all night dancing with fellow Star Trek alumni LeVar Burton in Boystown (a gay neighborhood in Chicago) of all places. This might explain why his voice was a bit gruff or maybe he was already after a little of the hair of the dog.

One of the more funny moments for the audience, and probably the most embarassing for Stewart was when he was asked about the Alphabet song (see below) that he made for Star Trek series creator Gene Rodenberry. He said it was meant to be a private video for Gene Rodenberry’s birthday but somehow it got leaked onto the internet.

Although embarrassed about it, he seemed more pissed at the person who added a piano to his a capella song because the piano is off key to his singing and everyone thinks he’s the one that’s off key. He credits his tight dance number in the video to his wife at the time who is a choreographer.

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