Kenneth Mitchell, a Canadian actor best known for roles in Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel, has been confirmed dead aged 49.
Mitchell was also well known for his longstanding stint as Eric Green in CBS drama Jericho, and for playing Ralph Cox in the sports biopic Miracle.
He was married to fellow actor Susan May Pratt, and the pair shared two children, a daughter, Lilah, and a son, Kallum.
But sadly, Mitchell’s family has now announced that he has tragically passed away.
Born in Toronto in 1974, Mitchell rose to fame alongside Kurt Russell in Miracle, in which he played Ralph Cox, the last player cut from the 1980 Mens Olympic Hockey Team.
He became better known after being cast in 2019’s Captain Marvel, in which he played the titular character’s father, Joseph Danvers.
Mitchell also starred in Star Trek: Discovery, playing three Klingon characters – season 1’s Kol and season 2’s Kol-Sha (Kol’s father) and Tenavik.
Mitchell’s family has now released a statement announcing his tragic passing aged 49.
“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend to many,” his family’s statement says.
“He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone. His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community.”
It adds: “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.”
Mitchell’s family also pay tribute to the actor as ‘a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger… and more than anything else, a proud father’.
Many official tributes to the star quickly followed.
“The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world,” the official site reads.
Daredevil‘s Deborah Ann Woll writes: “I’m so sorry,” while Scream‘s Skeet Ulrich says: “You will never ever be forgotten!! You are embedded in the hearts and minds of so many. You will always be an inspiration. All my love to you and your beautiful family.”
Mitchell was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2018.
He eventually began using a motorised wheelchair, and appeared in Star Trek: Discovery season 3 as Aurellio, a character whose use of a wheelchair-like device mirrored his progressing disease.
Mitchell had lost the ability to speak in 2021, per Daily Star Trek News.
The NHS explains that ALS ‘is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time’, explaining that ‘moving around, swallowing and breathing get increasingly difficult, and treatments like a feeding tube or breathing air through a face mask may be needed’.
“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,” his family’s statement concludes.
Rest in peace.
