‘Star Trek: Discovery’ and ‘Captain Marvel’ actor Kenneth Mitchell has lost his battle with ALS, a disease he has been suffering with for the past five years.
“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” his family wrote in a statement shared via X and Instagram Sunday about the 49-year-old.
“Ken was widely known as an actor in many films and television shows,” the statement continued. “He’s portrayed an Olympic hopeful, an apocalypse survivor, an astronaut, a superhero’s dad, and four unique Star Trekkers.”
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“Ken was diligent and hardworking in everything he did, but as a father these traits found their fullest expression. He was extremely dedicated to being a positive and playful force in the lives of his children,” the statement explained.
“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.”
What is ALS?
ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and it is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Mitchell had been suffering with it since 2018.
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He started to use a wheelchair in 2019 and then went public with his physical condition in 2020.
“I do remember there was something really simple and beautiful in a way, how my wife and I were in the trenches together, and how we from this moment on we’re having to deal with something so severe that was going to affect our lives forever,” he told People that year of discovering his diagnosis.