Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell, known for playing recurring Klingon characters on Star Trek: Discovery, has died at age 49 after a five-and-a-half year battle with ALS.
Mitchell was born in Toronto and broke out with roles in Miracle and Jericho before joining Star Trek: Discovery in 2017.
He publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis in 2020.
Last year, Mitchell turned his condition into his character on Discovery, who had lost his voice to illness.
Despite facing “awful challenges” from ALS, Mitchell’s Instagram tribute said he rose above with grace and lived with love, compassion and community.
“He lived by the principle 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. Ken was an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched,” the statement read.
“The moment that they told us it was [ALS], it was like I was in my own movie,” Mitchell said previously. “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 is survived by his wife of 18 years, Susan May Pratt, daughter Lilah, son Kallum, and parents.
He requested any gifts in his memory go toward curing ALS.
Mitchell was praised for his courage and strength in facing his terminal illness.
“Ken is forever grateful for the massive amounts of love and endless support he received from his community along his journey. Especially the courage, resilience, and strength displayed by his extraordinary wife, family and friends,” a post read.
