Star Trek and Marvel star Kenneth Mitchell is dead at 49 after heroic five-year battle with ALS

Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at 49 years old after a five-year battle with ALS, his family has confirmed.

Mitchell played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on Star Trek: Discovery and voiced several characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Born on November 25, 1974, in Toronto, Mitchell starred 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 awful challenges from ALS [or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. 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 said in an obituary posted to his Instagram.

Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at 49 years old after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his family has confirmed

He is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt and their two children, Lilah and Kallum

Mitchell played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on Star Trek: Discovery and voiced several characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks

'To those close to him he was known as a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger, landscape designer, garden grower, canoe paddler, happy camper, nature explorer, cat lover, infectious laugher, gift giver...'

'Note sender, movie goer, art maker, music listener, sports connoisseur, detailed particular, Leafs supporter, world traveler, uncle joker, younger brother, Susan's partner, and more than anything else, a proud father.'

In 2017, he told 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'll get to know the Klingons on our show, and then people can decide if we really are the villains.'

Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in August 2018 and started using a wheelchair in October 2019. He publicly announced he had the debilitating neurological disease in a February 2020 interview with People.

'The moment that 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 being told that they have a terminal illness. It was just a complete disbelief, a shock.

His Star Trek: Discovery co-star Anthony Rapp shared Mitchell's obituary on his Instagram story and said, 'This wonderful man brightened the lives of so many.'

Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in August 2018 and started using a wheelchair in October 2019

In 2017, he told StarTrek.com in his role as Kol, 'Whether someone is good or bad is all about perspective, and it's about understanding that culture'

Mitchell starred in several films and television shows including Captain Marvel, Miracle, Jericho, The Astronaut Wives Club, Ghost Whisperer and Switched at Birth

'I am privileged to have known him and will never forget his joyful kindness and incredible courage.'

Fellow Canadian actor Donal Logue said on Instagram, 'Just heard that @mr_kenneth_mitchell passed away. What a beautiful and sweet man, talented actor, great athlete, and golden human being.'

'I don't know how people like Kenneth can walk through the heaviest of life's challenges with the grace, strength, humility (and without an iota of self-pity )like Kenneth did. A true Canadian legend now freed from the bondage of this mortal coil.'

A GoFundMe page set up by his wife's friend Carolyn Lewinsky said, 'Ken was loved by so many. And for those of us who were lucky enough to be in his orbit, he was always a pillar of strength.'

'Now it’s our turn to be there for him by supporting the beautiful family he’s left behind.'