The ALS Network, formerly the ALS Association Golden West Chapter, mourns the loss of beloved husband, father, actor and ALS advocate, Kenneth “Kenny” Mitchell.
As an actor, he was most commonly known for his roles in “Star Trek” and “Captain Marvel.” To his family and friends, Kenny was a giver, a listener, a sentimentalist, and an excellent observer of his surroundings. One of his most endearing qualities is that he loved to watch others shine.
When Kenny was diagnosed with ALS in 2018, he was open with his experience living with the disease on social media. “The moment that they told us it was [ALS], it was like I was in my own movie,” he shared in an interview with PEOPLE in 2020. “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.”
After the devastating diagnosis, Kenny, his wife Susan Pratt, and their family got involved with ALS Network community outreach events. They first participated in the SoCal Ride & Rally in 2022, as volunteers and helped raise ALS awareness and support.
In 2023, Kenny and Susan joined the Los Angeles Walk as “Team Kenny,” with over 70 friends and family members. Together, they raised over $18,000 to help the ALS community. In addition, Ken and Susan were honored with the 2023 LA Walk Heroes award for their efforts in sharing their story with local and national media to help raise ALS awareness and support.
Please watch Kenny’s and Susan’s inspiring acceptance speech for the award.
On February 24, 2024, Kenny died after living with ALS for over five years. The family shared the sad news on their personal social media channels, which was then covered by the NY Times, CBS, E! News, People, and US Magazine.
“For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS,” the statement from the family said. “And in true Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment. He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone.”
All of us at the ALS Network are grateful to committed people, like Kenny and Susan, for sharing their story and their dedication to our mission and helping others affected by ALS.