Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at the age of 49 after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his family has confirmed.
Mitchell played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, in Star Trek: Discovery and voiced several characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Born on November 25, 1974 in Toronto, Canada, Mitchell has appeared in several films and television shows, including Captain Marvel, Miracle, Jericho, The Astronaut Wives Club, Ghost Whisperer and Switched at Birth.
He is survived by his wife, Susan May Pratt, and their two children, Lilah and Kallum.
‘For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of terrible challenges as a result of ALS. And in true Ken fashion, he managed to rise above everyone with grace and dedication to living a full and joyful life at every moment,” his family said in an obituary on his Instagram.
Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at the age of 49 after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his family has confirmed
‘To his loved ones he was known as a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, football player, beach walker, bear hugger, landscape designer, garden grower, canoeist, cheerful camper, nature explorer, cat lover, contagious laugher, gift giver…’
“Note sender, movie goer, art maker, music listener, sports expert, detail-oriented extraordinary, Leafs supporter, world traveler, uncle joker, younger brother, Susan’s partner and above all, a proud father.”
In 2017 he said StarTrek.com in his role as Kol: “Whether someone is good or bad is all about perspective, and it’s about understanding that culture.”
“You get to know the Klingons on our show, and then people can decide if we’re really the villains.”
Mitchell was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in August 2018, began using a wheelchair in October 2019, and publicly revealed he had the debilitating neurological disease in a February 2020 interview with People.
“The moment they told us it was (ALS), it was like I was in my own movie,” he said.
‘That’s what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is told that he or she has a terminal illness. It was just complete disbelief, shock.
Fellow Canadian actor Donal Logue said on Instagram: “I just heard that @mr_kenneth_mitchell has passed away. What a beautiful and sweet man, talented actor, great athlete and golden person.’
“I don’t understand how people like Kenneth can get through life’s toughest challenges with the grace, strength, and humility (and without an ounce of self-pity) that Kenneth did. A true Canadian legend, now freed from the bondage of this mortal coil.”
