Kenneth Mitchell, “Star Trek: Discovery” and “Captain Marvel” actor, dies at 49

Mitchell died from ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2018.

Kenneth Mitchell, best known for playing multiple roles in Star Trek: Discovery as well as Carol Danvers' dad in Captain Marvel, has died after a five year battle with ALS. He was 49.

Mitchell died on Saturday, according to a statement from his family shared on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He is survived by his wife Susan and their two children.

“Ken was widely known as an actor in many films and television shows. He’s portrayed an Olympic hopeful, an apocalypse survivor, an astronaut, a superhero’s dad, and four unique Star Trekkers,” the statement read, adding that to those closest to him, Mitchell was known as "more than anything else, a proud father."

Born on Nov. 24, 1974 in Toronto, Canada, Mitchell portrayed the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on Star Trek: Discovery. In addition, he voiced several characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Mitchell also had recurring roles on Jericho, Ghost Whisperer, Switched at Birth, The Astronaut Wives Club, and Nancy Drew among others, and in 2019 he was featured as Joseph Danvers in Captain Marvel.

According to an obit on the official Star Trek website, Mitchell hoped to bring a new perspective on Klingon culture with his role as Kol on Discovery. "Whether someone is good or bad is all about perspective, and it’s about understanding that culture," he told the site in 2017. "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 in 2018 and began using a wheelchair the following year. He shared his diagnosis publicly with PEOPLE in 2020. In an interview with the outlet, Mitchell said he tried "to see the beauty in" his diagnosis and decided to spend the remaining years of his life enjoying time with his family.

"I'll never forget, one of my Star Trek costars 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.'"

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Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.