Star Trek: Discovery actor Kenneth Mitchell has died. He was 49.
Mitchell died on Saturday (Sunday in Australia) following a five-year battle with ALS, his family said in a statement shared to his account on X (formerly Twitter).
“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” the family’s statement began.
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It continued: “Ken was widely known as an actor in many films and television shows. He’s portrayed an Olympic hopeful, an apocalypse survivor, an astronaut, a superhero’s dad, and four unique Star Trekkers.”
Mitchell, who welcomed daughter Lilah and son Kallum with his wife, 10 Things I Hate About You actress Susan May Pratt – whom he married in 2006 – is being remembered as “Susan’s partner and, more than anything else, a proud father” alongside many other qualities.
“Ken was diligent and hardworking in everything he did, but as a father these traits found their fullest expression,” the statement continued.
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“He was extremely dedicated to being a positive and playful force in the lives of his children. Regardless of his later disabilities, Ken discovered a higher calling to be more fully himself for his kids. Ken will be forever proud of who his children have become,” Mitchell’s family wrote.
In 2018, Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS. He started using a wheelchair in 2019, and one year later, he publicly came forward with his diagnosis to People, noting at the time he was in “complete disbelief” and had been diagnosed after experiencing, for several months, constant twitching in his muscles.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, is an incurable degenerative neurological disorder that weakens the muscles and impacts physical function. The main symptom is muscle weakness.
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Of his health battle, Mitchell’s family wrote: “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.”
“Ken is forever grateful for the massive amounts of love and endless support he received from his community along this journey. Especially the courage, resilience and strength displayed from his extraordinary wife, family and friends.”
Mitchell, who played Joseph Danvers in Captain Marvel, was praised in the statement as a “giver, a listener, a sentimentalist and an excellent observer of his surroundings.”
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His family also honoured him as ”a keeper of countless enduring friendships. Like a massive star exploding with kindness, purity and a particular brand of silly, you were pulled right into his orbit. Once captured, Kenny could bathe you in positivity, compassion, thoughtfulness, and hilarity, and make you feel so loved.”
Pratt re-shared the statement to her Instagram page, writing alongside it: “My dear husband Ken has left us. 💔”
Star Trek‘s official website also paid tribute to the actor, who played Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik and Aurellio on Star Trek: Discovery. Mitchell also voiced multiple characters in one episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks.
He also held roles in multiple television shows including Jericho, Switched at Birth, The Astronaut Wives Club, Nancy Drew.