Star Trek and Marvel star Kenneth Mitchell dies at 49 after five-year ALS battle
Kenneth Mitchell has died at the age of 49, the Star Trek actor's family has confirmed.
Mitchell was best known for the roles of Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on Star Trek: Discovery. He also was the voice of a number of characters on Star Trek: Lower Decks. He also starred in Marvel productions, including Captain Marvel.
His family shared an emotional statement on Instagram to confirm the news. It read: "For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment.
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Kenneth was best known for his role on Star Trek (Getty Images)
He was diagnosed with ALS five and a half years ago (Instagram/mr_kenneth_mitchell)
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"To those close to him he was known as a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger, landscape designer, garden grower, canoe paddler, happy camper, nature explorer, cat lover, infectious laugher, gift giver..."
It continued: "'Note sender, movie goer, art maker, music listener, sports connoisseur, detailed particular, Leafs supporter, world traveler, uncle joker, younger brother, Susan's partner, and more than anything else, a proud father."
The post, uploaded on Kenneth's own account, also shared a touching message from the actor titled Connect. In it he described wanting to become a tree.
The powerful message ended by saying it would help people "ascend, fall and fail" with him, before the last emotional sentence read:"Take my hand, my brand, my paddle, my drum and dance with me... forever."
Fans took to the upload to share tributes and messages of condolence. Among these penning their words included fellow Star Trek actor Jonathan Frakes, who said: "One of the best. RIP."
Fans and friends have been paying tribute to Kenneth Mitchell (CBS)Actress Elizabeth Tulloch also said: "We love you Ken," before sharing a touching poem titled Contemplation on No-Coming and No-Going by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Kenneth was diagnoses with ALS in 2018 and started using a wheelchair a year later. In 2020, he publicly shared his health update, telling PEOPLE he had been in "complete disbelief" after the diagnosis. He confessed to have been feeling constant twitching in his muscles for months prior to the discovery.
"I do remember there was something really simple and beautiful in a way, how my wife and I were in the trenches together, and how we from this moment on we're having to deal with something so severe that was going to affect our lives forever," he told PEOPLE at the time. "We grieved and mourned really hard. There was so much unknown."
Kenneth is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt and their two children, Lilah and Kallum.
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