Entertainment
Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel star Kenneth Mitchell dies aged 49-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Mitchell was also known for his role in CBS series Jericho.
Kenneth Mitchell died following complications of ALS (Picture: Getty)
Kenneth Mitchell, who was best known for his roles in Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel, has died aged 49.
The actor, who played various characters in Star Trek: Discovery and appeared as Joseph Danvers in Captain Marvel, died following complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his family announced on X and Instagram.
In a statement shared on Mitchell’s official social media accounts, they said: ‘With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend.
‘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.
‘He lived by the principals that each day is a gift and we never walk alone.’
In a lengthy tribute, the father-of-two was remembered as a ‘giver, a listener, a sentimentalist and an excellent observer of his surroundings.’
‘One of his most endearing qualities as a friend is that Kenny loved to watch others shine. He was a conductor of connecting friends together and thoroughly enjoyed a good story,’ his family added.
Mitchell played Joseph Danvers in blockbuster film Captain Marvel (Picture: Disney)
He is also best known for playing various characters in Star Trek: Discovery (Picture: CBS)
Mitchell played Eric Green in CBS series Jericho (Picture: CBS)
Mitchell, who also played Eric Green in the CBS post-apocalyptic action drama Jericho and The Astronaut Wives Club, first revealed his ALS diagnosis in 2020.
ALS is a fatal type of motor neuron disease characterised by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
Mitchell said he first started developing symptoms in 2018 after experiencing constant twitching in his muscles, initially believing it was a pinched nerve.
‘The moment that they told us it was [ALS] it was like I was in my own movie,’ Mitchell recalled to People Magazine.
‘That’s what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told that they have a terminal illness. It was just a complete disbelief, a shock.’
Mitchell, who began using a wheelchair in 2019, said that showrunners began creating roles specifically for him, including a role in the Jeff Bridges’ drama The Old Man.
Mitchell with his wife Susan, with whom he shares two children (Picture: Instagram)
Mitchell revealed his ALS diagnosis in 2020 (Picture: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for FX/REX/Shutterstock)
He said: ‘They created a part for me: an FBI agent and I got to be in this chair. It was just really liberating and freeing to not have to hide what was happening to me. It was at that point forward, I was like, “Yeah, I’m ready for this. I think this is the direction I should continue to take.”‘
Vowing to raise awareness of the condition, Mitchell explained his decision to work: ‘I can’t hide it anymore. I thought instead of shielding myself away in my home, which, if that’s your choice that’s fine, too. I wouldn’t make any judgment on anyone. I don’t think anyone would on me. But, I just feel like it’s time that I get out there and be a voice.’
Mitchell is survived by his wife Susan, their children Lilah and Kallum, his parents Diane and David, brother Sean, in-laws Sally and Billy Pratt, sister-in-law Beth, and nieces and nephews Kiran, Jyoti, Avery and Eliza.
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