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Kenneth Mitchell (actor)

Kenneth Mitchell
Publicity photo of Mitchell
Born
Kenneth Alexander Mitchell

(1974-11-25)November 25, 1974
DiedFebruary 24, 2024(2024-02-24) (aged 49)
OccupationActor
Years active1983–2022
Spouse
(m. 2006)
Children2

Kenneth Alexander Mitchell (November 25, 1974 – February 24, 2024) was a Canadian actor. He was known for his role as Eric Green in the CBS television series Jericho (2006–2008) and for portraying various characters in Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2021). In film, he appeared as Ralph Cox in the sports biopic Miracle (2004) and as Joseph Danvers in Captain Marvel (2019).

Early life

Mitchell was born in Toronto on November 25, 1974.[1] He attended Earl Haig Secondary School in his hometown, before studying landscape architecture at the University of Guelph. He subsequently worked in Toronto and Guelph, before becoming acquainted with an agent through his friend.[2]

Career

Mitchell began his acting career in commercials and independent productions. His first major roles came in Leap Years and Odyssey 5.[2]

In 2004, Mitchell was cast in the film Miracle with Kurt Russell, in the role of hockey player Ralph Cox who was the last player cut from the 1980 Mens Olympic Hockey Team.[3]

Mitchell appeared as Eric Green in the U.S. television drama Jericho, which was cancelled by CBS in May 2007, but was brought back onto the 2007–08 schedule following a fan campaign to save the show.[4]

In 2014, Mitchell was cast in ABC's The Astronaut Wives Club television drama series, playing the role of Deke Slayton.[5] Mitchell played three recurring Klingon characters in Star Trek: Discovery: season 1's Kol and season 2's Kol-Sha (Kol's father) and Tenavik. He also appeared in season 3 as Aurellio, a character whose use of a wheelchair-like device matched Mitchell's real situation with his progressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease;[6] Mitchell hinted that he would be seen in season 4 playing a character who, like Mitchell's progressing situation, has lost the use of his voice.[7] Mitchell was cast in the FX series The Old Man by Dan Shotz, a friend of Mitchell's who was also an executive producer on Jericho. The role also incorporated Mitchell's condition into the character.[8]

Personal life

Mitchell married actress Susan May Pratt in May 2006. Together, they had two children, a daughter (born 2007) and a son (born 2012).[2][9] They resided in Los Angeles, where Mitchell relocated to in the mid-2000s.[2]

In February 2020, Mitchell revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Beginning in October 2019, he used a power wheelchair.[10] To incorporate Mitchell's wheelchair, the showrunners of Star Trek: Discovery said Aurelio's wheelchair was a hover chair to help him move as a result of a genetic condition.[11] By August 2021, Mitchell had lost his voice due to the disease.[6] Mitchell died on February 24, 2024, at the age of 49.[2][12][13]

Filmography

Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2000 No Man's Land Soldier Short film[14]
2001 The Green Ric Short film[14]
2002 Why Don't You Dance? Chris Short film[15]
2003 The Recruit Alan [16][17]
2004 Miracle Ralph Cox [16][17]
2005 Tennis, Anyone...? Nick Allen [15]
2007 Home of the Giants Keith Morrison [16][17]
2019 Captain Marvel Joseph Danvers [15][17]
Television roles
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Leap Years Spencer Matthew Recurring role, 9 episodes[16]
2002 Odyssey 5 Marc Taggart Recurring role, 10 episodes[15][16]
2006 Grey's Anatomy Wade Solomon 1 episode[15][16]
2006 CSI: Miami Robert Gordon 1 episode[15][16]
2006 The Unit Keith Soto 1 episode[15]
2006–2008 Jericho Eric Green Main role, 26 episodes[15][16]
2008 Flashpoint Sergeant Pete Fitzhaven 1 episode[15][16]
2008–2009 Ghost Whisperer Sam Lucas Recurring role, 15 episodes[15][16]
2009 Without a Trace Derek Wilson 1 episode[15][16]
2009 Meteor Russ Hapscomb Miniseries, 2 episodes[15][17]
2009 Iron Road Edgar Miniseries, 2 episodes[15][16]
2010 Lie to Me Duane Corey 1 episode[15][16]
2010 Hawaii Five-0 Craig Ellers / Paul Stark 1 episode[15][16]
2010 Detroit 1-8-7 Jeffery Cage 1 episode[15][16]
2010 Criminal Minds Drew Jacobs 1 episode[15][16]
2011 Private Practice Elliott 1 episode[15][16]
2011 Castle Paul Whittaker 1 episode[15][16]
2011 The Mentalist Tom Wilcox 1 episode[15][16]
2012 Grimm Larry McKenzie / Bigfoot 1 episode[15][16]
2012 Drop Dead Diva Rick Keller 1 episode[15][16]
2012 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Dalton Burke 1 episode[15][16]
2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Special Agent Danny Gallagher 1 episode[15][16]
2013 Monday Mornings Asher Knox 1 episode[15][16]
2013 Bones Ben Carr 1 episode[15][16]
2013 Body of Proof Robert Riley 1 episode[15][16]
2013 Haven Cliff 1 episode[16]
2014 The Night Shift George 1 episode[15][16]
2014 Switched at Birth Wes Recurring role, 12 episodes[1][2]
2014 NCIS Nathan Curtis 2 episodes[15][16]
2015 CSI: Cyber Steve Reynolds 1 episode[15][16]
2015 The Astronaut Wives Club Deke Slayton Main role, 10 episodes[15][16]
2015 Major Crimes Sam Curtis 1 episode[16]
2015 Minority Report Brian Stanton 1 episode[16]
2016 Code Black Cory Rockman 1 episode[15][16]
2016–2017 Frequency Deacon Joe Hurley Recurring role, 6 episodes[15][16]
2016 Notorious Detective Ken Matthews 3 episodes[15][16]
2017–2021 Star Trek: Discovery Kol / Kol-Sha / Tenavik / Aurellio Recurring role, 10 episodes[15][16]
2018 The Detectives Detective Richard 1 episode[18]
2019–2020 Nancy Drew Joshua Dodd Recurring role, 6 episodes[15]
2020 Star Trek: Lower Decks Black Ops Officer 2 / Romulan Guard 1 / Tweerk Captain Voice role, 1 episode[1]
2022 The Old Man Joe 3 episodes[2][19]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Remembering Kenneth Mitchell, 1974 – 2024". Star Trek. Paramount Global. February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Iorfida, Chris (February 26, 2024). "Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell, who continued working after ALS diagnosis, dead at 49". CBC News. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Ausiello, Michael (February 1, 2004). "Review: 'Miracle'". Variety. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  4. ^ Lowry, Brian (February 7, 2008). "Review: 'Jericho'". Variety. Retrieved October 30, 2015. Having earned a stay of execution thanks partly to fans organized via that new-fangled thing called the Internet, the post-apocalyptic drama returns with two alternate endings in the can...
  5. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 29, 2014). "Exclusive: Jericho Alum Kenneth Mitchell Joins ABC's Astronaut Wives Club as Series Regular". TVLine. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Powell, David (August 12, 2021). "Star Trek: Discovery's Kenneth Mitchell defies ALS with on-stage appearance at 55-Year Mission convention in Las Vegas". Daily Star Trek News.
  7. ^ Pascale, Anthony (August 12, 2021). "Kenneth Mitchell Hints At Unique Return For 'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 4". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  8. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (March 19, 2020). "Star Trek's Kenneth Mitchell Opens Up About Continuing His Acting Career After ALS Diagnosis". People. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  9. ^ Van de Wall, Virginia (October 9, 2015). "The Cast of '10 Things I Hate About You' – Where Are They Now?". Life & Style Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (February 28, 2020). "Star Trek: Discovery's Kenneth Mitchell Reveals ALS Diagnosis: 'I Can't Hide It Anymore'". People.
  11. ^ Bloom, Mike (December 31, 2020). "How Star Trek: Discovery Accommodates a Star's Disability, Rather Than Pushing Him Out". CBR. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "Kenneth Mitchell, 'Star Trek: Discovery' and 'Captain Marvel' actor, dies at 49 after ALS battle". NBC News. February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  13. ^ Rainews, Redazione di (February 25, 2024). "L'attore canadese Kenneth Mitchell è morto a 49 anni per le complicazioni della Sla". RaiNews (in Italian). Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Silvia, Erin (February 25, 2024). "Kenneth Mitchell: 5 Things to Know About the 'Star Trek: Discovery' Actor Dead at 49". Hollywood Life. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "Kenneth Mitchell List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak "Kenneth Mitchell". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Kenneth Mitchell – Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Masih, Niha (February 26, 2024). "Kenneth Mitchell, 'Star Trek: Discovery' actor, dies at 49". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  19. ^ Phillips, Zoe G.; Kit, Borys (February 25, 2024). "Kenneth Mitchell, 'Star Trek: Discovery' Actor, Dies at 49". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 29, 2024.