Kenneth Mitchell's ALS battle as star dies - from disbelief to stand-up dream

25 February 2024 , 20:39

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Kenneth Mitchell has died at the age of 49 (Image: Getty Images)

Star Trek and Marvel actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at the age of 49 after battling ALS for five and a half years, his family confirmed.

The actor's loved ones shared an emotional statement on social media to confirm the news, saying: "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.

"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..." his family said.

Here, we look at his ALS battle over the years.

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He battled ALS for five and a half years (Getty Images)

'Complete disbelief'

Kenneth was diagnosed 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 having been feeling constant twitching in his muscles for months before 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."

He shared updates on his health battles online (Instagram/mr_kenneth_mitchell)

'Accepting with grace'

The actor said the family decided to shift their focus to enjoying their time together while Kenneth was still healthy. He said: "I think it, over time, became the theme of us accepting this with grace."

Kenneth added: "Trying to see the beauty in it, in a way. I'll never forget, one of my Star Trek co-stars told me, because they had dealt with some trying times with illnesses and stuff, and I remember them communicating to me, saying, 'You have a choice. You can look at this in many different ways, but maybe try to look at this like a gift where you get to experience life in a way that most people don't.'"

Kenneth on Star Trek (CBS)

He continued: "From that point on, it became, 'Let's just spend time with the family.' We took a couple vacations. Pulled the kids out of school.

"We had meetings with all their schools, with the principal, the counselors, their teachers. Everyone was in support and understanding the situation and that we might be pulling them out of school more than most, just so we can spend some time together as a family while I was still healthy."

Stand-up dream

In March 2022, the actor said he realised his dream of hosting a stand-up set in front of keen crowds who watched him perform. Sharing photos on Instagram, he thanked the Star Trek team, writing: "I did it! Stand-up. A dream realized. Thank you Star Trek family for the laughter, love and continued inspiration. Such a gift to connect again. My heart is full. The greatest medicine."

He said he realised his stand-up dream (Instagram/mr_kenneth_mitchell)

Celebrating 'gift of life'

In August last year, five years after his diagnosis, Kenneth posted a photo on the beach, saying he wanted to celebrate the "gift of life". He said that while he went through "incredibly hard times", these were also "mixed with so many more blessings".

He wrote: "5 years today. My brother humorously mentioned that they don’t really have a happy ALS Anniversary card in the shop. However, I want to celebrate today; the gift of life. I’m so thankful to have this day in front of me. It’s been a long 5 years. So much lost, so much gained. Incredibly hard times, mixed with so many more blessings.

"At the heart of it all are friends and family, caregivers and doctors coming to the aid of my family over and over and over again. Giving a plethora of support and love and care and encouragement. There is so much beauty in that.

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"This disease is absolutely horrific…yet despite all the suffering, there is so much to be grateful for. Especially the little joys and resilience of today and the hope of a tomorrow. YNWA. LLAP. #ALS."

Chiara Fiorillo