Patrick Stewart — "Star Trek: The Next Generation's" Capt. Jean-Luc Picard — becomes Sir Patrick in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year honors list, which also includes a knighthood for theater and film director Nicholas Hytner.

Stewart, 69, recently returned to the British stage following a long career in Hollywood that included playing Professor Charles Xavier in three "X-Men" films.

Erich Reich, a refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe who organized last year's 70th anniversary of the "Kindertransport," which brought 10,000 children to wartime Britain, also received a knighthood.

A separate honors list in New Zealand bestowed a knighthood on the king of Middle Earth — "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson.

PHOTO EXHIBIT CAPTURES 'ELVIS AT 21'

Elvis Presley would have turned 75 on Jan. 8. But for New York photographer Alfred Wertheimer, the King is forever a 21-year-old prince.

"Elvis keeps me young. Every time I pore over those negatives, I discover something new," says Wertheimer, 80, who in 1956 was hired by RCA, Presley's label, to take publicity stills. The resulting candid images captured the crooner on the still-innocent cusp of global stardom.

"The Kiss," perhaps the most famous of those shots, and 55 other stills make up the new Smithsonian traveling exhibition "Elvis at 21, Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer." It kicks off on Presley's birthday at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles before embarking on a four-year tour.

CHARLIE SHEEN, WIFE WANT TO RECONCILE

Actor Charlie Sheen and his wife, Brooke, want to reconcile, their lawyers said yesterday, even though she told police he put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her less than a week ago.

"They're very much in love. They want to try to work it out and want to have the best shot at doing that," said Brooke Sheen's attorney, Yale Galanter.

Charlie Sheen, 44, was arrested Christmas Day in Aspen. Brooke Sheen, 32, told police he threatened her during an argument that started when she said she wanted a divorce.

PHILBIN READY TO RETURN TO TALK SHOW

Regis Philbin is set to return to his daytime talk show next week after successful hip replacement surgery.

Philbin has been on the disabled list since the Dec. 1 operation. He makes his return to "Live! With Regis and Kelly" on Jan. 4.

Kelly Ripa has been working with guest hosts while Philbin has been away.