Kenneth Mitchell, best known for his role in Star Trek: Discovery, dead at 49

Kenneth Mitchell Captain Marvel:Actor Kenneth Mitchell, best known for his roles in Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel is dead. Mitchell died on Saturday from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) complications, several reports stated. He was 49.

"For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. 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," a statement read, which was shared across his social media platforms.

"He lived by the principles 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."

Kenneth was born in Toronto, Canada, on November25, 1974.The actor was known for being "a giver, a listener, a sentimentalist, and an excellent observer of his surroundings. One of his most endearing qualities as a friend is that Ken loved to watch others shine. He was a conductor of connecting friends together and thoroughly enjoyed prompting a good story," the statement said.

"And boy oh boy did he love to laugh. He absolutely loved to laugh. Ken had a keen passion and detailed eye for beauty in the arts. He thrived creatively which could be easily seen in his architecture, graphic design, acting, photography, writing, broad love of music, and throughout his home in Studio City, California."

"Ken is forever grateful for the massive amounts of love and endless support he received from his community along this journey. Especially the courage, resilience, and strength displayed from his extraordinary wife, family, and friends," it added.

Mitchell is survived by wife Susan and two children, Lilah and Kallum

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Roles Kenneth Mitchell played on screen (Captain Marvel)

Mitchell portrayed Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik on Star Trek: Discovery.He also voiced several characters on the animated series, Star Trek: Lower Decks.

"I think it, over time, became the theme of us accepting this with grace," he had said in an interview about the illness. "Trying to see the beauty in it, in a way. I’ll never forget, one of my Star Trekco-stars told me, because they had dealt with some trying times with illnesses and stuff, and I remember them communicating to me, saying, ‘You have a choice. You can look at this in many different ways, but maybe try to look at this like a gift where you get to experience life in a way that most people don’t.'"

What is ALS?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a rare neurological disease that affects motor neurons—those nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

The cause is unknown and symptoms can vary. Muscle weakness that progressively worsens is a common symptom for most suffering from this disorder. There is currently no cure for the disease and the progression of symptoms varies in each case.

Early symptoms include muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue, muscle cramps, tight and stiff muscles (spasticity), muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, the neck, or diaphragm, slurred and nasal speech and difficulty chewing or swallowing.