Sir Patrick Stewart is writing memoir, publisher announces

NEW YORK — Nearing his 80th birthday, Sir Patrick Stewart is finally ready for the project he once feared taking on — his memoir.

The award-winning actor best known as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" has a deal with Gallery Books for a "revealing and heartwarming look" into his life and times, the publisher announced Tuesday. A title and release date will be determined later.

"The idea of writing a memoir based on my life and career has been in my mind for several years, but always the demands of work have pushed it into the background. Today there are no demands, nor is there a prediction when there might be," Stewart, who turns 80 on July 13, said in a statement.

"I am caught in the middle of shooting a new series, ‘Star Trek: Picard,’ and I passionately want to see it through, but in the meantime ... what? Well, I have a beautiful study in our house in Los Angeles, sunny and peaceful. I am 80 in a little over two weeks’ time. I have just treated myself to a gorgeous office chair. And ... I have the time. But most important, I am loving what I am doing, even though I never thought I would or could."

Stewart will write about everything from "Star Trek" to his award-winning stage performances to his voice work on "American Dad." He had expressed concern in the past about bringing back memories of his abusive father, but he will "reflect on his childhood in Yorkshire, England, ?marked by poverty and domestic violence; as well as his lifelong political advocacy and ongoing charity work," according to Gallery, a division of Simon & Schuster.

Source: www.nsnews.com