On the stage, Patrick Stewart carried himself with authority and gave extremely powerful performances. On the big and little screen, he gave iconic characters like Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier the gravitas they needed.
However, the man who memorably had a wonderful sense of humor about himself became a meme factory on social media. Fortunately, Stewart joined in the fun, like when he took part in Star Wars Day by posting “May the Force Make It So” on his X account. That is why now seems like the perfect time to celebrate some of his most memorable meme moments that will continue to bring people so much joy.
The Picard Facepalm
the picard facepalm gif been around since the internet was invented pic.twitter.com/MDLGhEpqo5
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) August 24, 2022
As anyone who has been on social media will already know, it can be a baffling place where people post things that are so unintelligible that they are hard to fathom. When you come across one of those instances, posting the classic meme of Jean-Luc Picard’s facepalm moment is the perfect response.
The Picard Double Facepalm
This requires a double Picard facepalm maneuver! pic.twitter.com/zLqXORQfus
— 🇨🇦 The Rabbit (The Dreaded Beast of Caerbannog). (@RabbitofHorror) January 3, 2023
While the Picard facepalm is an endlessly amusing meme, there are times when it just doesn’t feel like enough. Either because you come across a post that is even more ridiculous than normal, or you’ve already unleashed the single facepalm, sometimes you need more. Fortunately, the Picard double facepalm exists for exactly those moments.
Annoyed Picard
One the oddest things about our Star Trek: TNG rewatch is spotting a Picard meme in context (and HD). ‘Annoyed Picard’ is actually reciting Shakespeare sonnets. pic.twitter.com/phiassSveY
— Man vs. Pink (@ManVsPink) May 30, 2020
Annoyed Picard is probably the most universally recognized Patrick Stewart meme of all time because there are so many frustrating things on the internet. The still image of Picard with his hand reaching out as he looks disgusted instantly expresses utter outrage far better than any words possibly could.
‘Make It So’
To boldly go where no man has gone before. Bonne voyage captain Picard. pic.twitter.com/E3xkha1D4x
— ⴼⵓⵓⴰⴷ ⴰⵛⵀⴰⵔⴽⵉ (@FAcharki) October 29, 2026
While most of Patrick Stewart’s famous memes were closely linked to a gif or an image, “make it so” didn’t have to be. Of course, a gif of Picard motioning and saying that phrase could sometimes be included alongside those words. But that phrase is so memorable and definitive that it could stand alone. Any Star Trek fan could throw “make it so” in the text of their post, and it would be instantly recognizable.
The Ian McKellen Bromance
They tweeted so many good photos — in character, it seems to me! — when they were starring as Vladimir and Estragon in “Waiting for Godot.” Thanksgiving was a lovely one, too: pic.twitter.com/iiPBzxZ2HK
— Anne Margaret Daniel (@venetianblonde) September 6, 2020
Okay, technically, this isn’t really a meme since it isn’t a static thing. However, leaving the Ian McKellen bromance out of this article just felt wrong because it feels like every image and video of the close friends is so delightful. So, for their ability to highlight how meaningful relationships can be, the Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen friendship will be cherished for many years to come.
‘Tea, Earl Grey, Hot’
one last Tea, Earl Grey, Hot for the Admiral @SirPatStew. https://t.co/VE9vGXvcMg pic.twitter.com/t2rIknTIhj
— Carved Squirrel 🎃 (@glassysquirrel) October 29, 2026
Similar to “make it so,” this meme wasn’t really about any specific image or gif. Instead, it was arguably the ultimate testament to how deeply beloved Stewart and his iconic Star Trek character are. After all, aside from James Bond, there aren’t any other characters whose drink order is enough to bring a smile to a fan’s face.
For millions of fans around the world, it is deeply sad to know that Stewart is gone. All we can do is take joy in the decades of work he left behind and keep smiling at what he gave the world, as he no doubt would want us to.
