London, Dec 31 (DPA) Patrick Stewart, the British actor best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, has received a knighthood by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama, reports said Thursday.
“This is an honour that embraces those actors, directors and creative teams who have in these recent years helped fill my life with inspiration, companionship and sheer fun,” Stewart was quoted by the Press Association as saying.

The 69-year-old actor, who will now be addressed with the title Sir, rose to fame after taking on the role of Picard in the television series in 1987.

He later reportedly complained that the show’s success had hurt his career because directors did not want to cast the captain of the Starship Enterprise in films.

Stewart has, however, since enjoyed fame on the big screen in the “X-Men” and is a long-time member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.