Kenneth Mitchell, Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel Star, Dead at 49 from ALS 

Kenneth Mitchell passed away after a five-year battle with ALS. He was 49 years old.

Mitchell, who was best known for his roles in Star Trek: Discoveryhe died on Saturday, according to a statement shared by his family on X (formerly Twitter).

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” reads the post, which was also shared on Instagram.

“Ken was widely known as an actor in many films and television shows. He portrayed an Olympic hopeful, an apocalypse survivor, an astronaut, a superhero father, and four unique Star Trek characters,” the statement continued.

Mitchell, who was born on November 24, 1974 in Toronto, Canada, according to the statement, was the father of two children, Lilah and Kallum, who he shared with his wife Susan, and was described, among the many qualities he possessed and the roles he played in people’s lives, as “Susan’s partner and, above all, a proud father”.

“Ken was diligent and diligent in everything he did, but as a father these qualities came to their full expression. He was extremely dedicated to being a positive and playful force in his children’s lives. Regardless of his later shortcoming, Ken discovered a higher calling to be more complete for his children. “Ken will forever be proud of what his children have become,” the statement read.

Kenneth Mitchell with his family, as posted on his Instagram.

Kenneth Mitchell/Instagram

Star Trek’s Kenneth Mitchell opens up about continuing his acting career after being diagnosed with ALS

Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and began using a wheelchair the following year. He publicly shared his diagnosis with PEOPLE in 2020.

His family wrote of his health battle: “For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of terrible challenges from ALS. And in true Ken fashion, he managed to rise above everyone with grace and a commitment to living a full and joyful life in every moment.”

“Ken is forever grateful for the tremendous amounts of love and endless support he has received from his community throughout this journey. Especially the courage, resilience and strength shown by his extraordinary wife, family and friends.”

Elsewhere, the statement paid tribute to Mitchell as “the keeper of countless lasting friendships. Like a huge star exploding with goodness, purity and a certain kind of stupidity, you were drawn right into his orbit. Once you were captured, Kenny could bathe you in positivity, compassion, thoughtfulness and hilarity and make you feel so loved.”

His family also praised him as “a giver, a listener, a sentimentalist and an excellent observer of his surroundings.”

Kenneth Mitchell as Aurellio in Star Trek: Discovery.

Michael Gibson/CBS

In 2020, Mitchell said he was in “complete disbelief” when he was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, after several months of constant muscle twitching.

“I remember it was something really simple and beautiful in a way, how my wife and I were together in the trenches, and how from this moment we have to deal with something so difficult that will affect our lives forever,” he told PEOPLE. . “We grieved and grieved a lot. There was so much that was unknown.”

‘Star Trek”s Kenneth Mitchell recalls his daughter’s reaction when she learned of his ALS diagnosis

The family decided to focus on enjoying time together while Mitchell was still healthy.

“I think over time it became a theme of accepting this with grace,” he said. “I try to see the beauty in it, in a way. I’ll never forget, one of my own Star Trek The costars told me, because they were dealing with hard times with illnesses and stuff, and I remember them telling me, ‘You have a choice. You can look at this in many different ways, but maybe try to look at this as a gift where you can experience life in a way that most people don’t.”

“From that point on, it became, ‘Let’s spend time with the family,'” Mitchell continued. “We took a couple of vacations. We pulled the kids out of school. We had meetings with all their schools, with the principal, counselors, their teachers. Everyone was supportive and understood the situation and that we might be expelling them from school more than most, just to we can spend some time together as a family while I’m still healthy.”

Kenneth Mitchell at Jericho: The First Season DVD Release in Los Angeles, CA on October 2, 2007.

Adam Orchon/Everett Collection

The Star Trek The world also paid tribute to Mitchell following the news of his death as they said they were “deeply saddened” by his loss.

“The whole thing Star Trek the family extends its condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones and fans around the world.”

The actor played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik and Aurelius Star Trek: Discoveryand also voiced several characters in the episode Star Trek: The Lower Decksaccording to StarTrek.com.

In 2017, he told the website about his role as Kol: “Whether someone is good or bad depends on one’s perspective and understanding of that culture. You’ll meet the Klingons on our show, and then people will decide if we really are the villains.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Mitchell has also starred in several other projects throughout his career, including playing the father of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) in Captain Marvel and in TV shows including Nancy Drew, Astronaut Wives Club, Jericho and Replaced at birth.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education