Kenneth Mitchell, a Canadian actor celebrated for his roles in "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Captain Marvel," passed away on Saturday at the age of 49.

The actor had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurological disorder that leads to paralysis and, eventually, death, for over five years, as confirmed by Mitchell's family through a social media statement, according to The New York Times.

Kenneth Mitchell left a lasting impact on both television and film. In "Captain Marvel," he portrayed the father of the superhero, Carol Danvers.

His versatile career included notable roles such as Eric Green in "Jericho," Joshua Dodd in "Nancy Drew," a hockey player in the film "Miracle," and various characters in different films and television series.

Mitchell's contributions to the "Star Trek" franchise were significant, playing Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, along with the character Aurellio in "Star Trek: Discovery."

He also lent his voice to several characters in an episode of "Star Trek: Lower Decks."

Battle with ALS

Kenneth Mitchell publicly disclosed his diagnosis of ALS in 2020, sharing that he had been living with the condition since 2018, USA Today reports.

He revealed in an interview with PEOPLE that the initial signs appeared in the form of muscle twitching, leading to his wheelchair use starting in 2019.

Describing the moment of diagnosis, Mitchell expressed the shock, likening it to a scene from a movie where someone learns of a terminal illness.

"The moment that they told us it was (ALS), it was like I was in my own movie," Mitchell 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."

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, affects the nervous system, causing the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

This leads to the loss of muscle control, a challenging reality faced by more than 30,000 people in the United States, with approximately 5,000 new diagnoses annually.

The average lifespan after symptom onset ranges from two to five years.

Family Focus and Legacy

Kenneth Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susan, and their two children.

Following his diagnosis, Mitchell redirected his priorities toward spending quality time with his family, even relinquishing a lead television role that would have required relocation, CBS News noted.

In a statement shared on social media, Mitchell's family acknowledged his resilience in facing the challenges of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with grace and unwavering commitment to living a full and joyous life.

They emphasized his embodiment of principles such as love, compassion, humor, inclusion, and community, defining his life as a shining example of fullness achieved through these values.

The family's statement concluded with a poignant tribute, remembering Kenneth Mitchell as a daydreamer, nature explorer, cat lover, and, above all, a proud father.

The news of Mitchell's passing has left the entertainment industry and fans mourning the loss of a talented actor and a resilient individual who faced adversity with courage and positivity.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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