Star Trek” actor Kenneth Mitchell dead at 49 after ALS battle
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StarTrek.com reports that actor Kenneth Mitchell, who was most known for his work on the television series “Star Trek,” passed away on Saturday. He was 49 years old.
According to a statement that was published on Mitchell’s Instagram page, he was given a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurological disease, more than five years ago. He reportedly faced “awful challenges” throughout those years, according to the statement at Instagram.
“And in true Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment,” according to the press release. “He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone.”
In the year 2020, Mitchell disclosed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) two years previously. During an interview with People at the time, he stated that he had been utilizing a wheelchair since the year 2019 and that he had been diagnosed with the condition in the year 2018, immediately following the onset of twitching in his muscles.
“The moment that they told us it was (ALS), it was like I was in my own movie,” according to Mitchell. It was as if I were witnessing that scenario in which someone was being informed that they had a terminal illness. That is how it seemed to me. It was nothing more than utter stupefaction and astonishment. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, involves the nerve cells that are responsible for the functioning of muscles in both the upper and lower regions of the body. The condition causes the nerve cells to stop functioning and eventually die.
In the United States, it is estimated that more than 30,000 people are currently living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and each year, an average of 5,000 people in the country are diagnosed with the disease. ALS patients typically have a life expectancy of two to five years from the onset of symptoms.
On August 10th, the actor published a message on Instagram in which he discussed the experience of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“It has been a really tough five years. So much was lost, but so much was gained. According to what he wrote, “incredibly difficult times, mixed with so many more blessings.” “At the heart of it all are friends and family and doctors coming to the aid of my family over and over and over again.”
During an interview with people in the year 2020, Mitchell made his initial public statement regarding his illnesses.
“The moment that they told us it was [ALS], it was like I was in my own movie,” Mitchell said in an interview with people on the subject. It was as if I were witnessing that scenario in which someone was being informed that they had a terminal illness. That is how it seemed to me. It was nothing more than utter stupefaction and astonishment.
In the years following his diagnosis, Mitchell played a number of roles.
Kenneth at Golden Maple Awards during 2015-Image Credit: Getty Images
According to StarTrek.com, he played the characters Aurellio as well as the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik on the television program “Star Trek: Discovery.” Additionally, he provided the voices for a number of characters to appear in an episode of “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”
Mitchell’s work in the television shows “Jericho” and “The Astronaut Wives Club,” as well as his performances in the films “Miracle” and “Captain Marvel,” all contributed to his widespread recognition.
Mitchell was recalled as a daydreamer, nature explorer, cat lover, and “more than anything else, a proud father” in the Instagram post that announced his passing. Mitch was also a cat lover.
Mitchell’s parents, his wife, and the two children they had together are the only people who will remember him. According to StarTrek.com, Mitchell requested that any presents be given to either the research being done on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or to his children.
