| FEBRUARY 25, 2024 | BY: TREKMOVIE.COM STAFF 28 COMMENTS SO FAR
Kenneth Mitchell, who portrayed the Klingon Kol as well as other characters in Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks, has passed away at age 49. The Canadian actor is being remembered by those who worked with him and the Star Trek community.
RIP Ken Mitchell
Kenneth A. Mitchell passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The news was announced by his family via his official social media accounts, starting with the message “With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend.” Mitchell had been suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for over five years, eventually resulting in the loss of speech. The Saturday night announcement from Mitchell’s family noted: “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.”
Mitchell’s acting career began in 2001 with roles in dozens of shows, including starring roles in Jericho and The Astronaut Wives Club as well as recurring roles in Odyssey 5 and Ghost Whisperer. He also appeared in a number of feature films, including 2019’s Captain Marvel. Mitchell is best known to Star Trek fans for his recurring role as Klingon General Kol, a main antagonist in the first season of Star Trek: Discovery.
Kenneth Mitchell as Kol
The actor returned to Discovery in season 2 playing two other Klingons: Kol-sha and Tenavik. In season 3 he appeared in two episodes as the human scientist Aurellio. At that time Mitchell was already fighting ALS and the production built him a special mobility chair for the role. In season 4, the USS Mitchell was named in Ken’s honor. Mitchell also voiced the Tweerk captain and some other characters in the first season Lower Decks episode “Veritas.”
Kenneth is survived by his wife Susan, their children Lilah and Kallum, his parents Diane and David, brother Sean (Norah), in-laws Sally and Bill Pratt, sister-in-law Beth (Ajay) nieces and nephews Kiran, Jyoti, Avery, and Eliza… and cats Chai & Cinna. According to his family, Kenneth requests that any gifts be directed toward ALS research or in support of his children. A GoFundMe has been set up for his family.
Image from Mitchell’s obituary shared by his family
Star Trek cast and crew remember Ken Mitchell
Condolences and memories from those who knew Ken are starting to appear on social media.
A number of Twitter messages are coming from those who worked with Ken on Star Trek: Discovery, including executive producer and co-showrunner Michelle Paradise, producing director Olatunde Osunsanmi, writer Sean Cochran, and guest star Raven Dauda. A number of the Discovery stars are on Star Trek: The Cruise now so we should have more messages as the news spreads of Ken’s death and they can share their thoughts.
Discovery star Wilson Cruz shared an Instagram story saying goodbye to Ken.
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Comments on the Instagram posting from Ken’s family included Voyager star Garret Wang, Strange New Worlds star Ethan Peck, TNG star Jonathan Frakes, Picard star Evan Evagora, Eugene Roddenberry, and Discovery guest star Sam Vartholomeos.
Other stars have taken to Twitter, including Star Trek star William Shatner and Voyager/Picard star Jeri Ryan.
