Kenneth Mitchell obit

Remembering Kenneth Mitchell, 1974 – 2024

StarTrek.com honors the late actor and his contributions to the Star Trek universe. 

He was not on the list.

StarTrek.com is deeply saddened to report the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, who played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on Star Trek: Discovery. In addition, he voiced several voice characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Mitchell passed away at age 49 on February 24, 2024.

Born November 25, 1974, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Mitchell appeared in multiple films and television shows, including roles such as the father of super hero Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel and Olympic hopeful in Miracle. Other roles include turns on Jericho, The Astronaut Wives Club, Ghost Whisperer, and Switched at Birth.

As Kol, Mitchell hoped to bring a new perspective on Klingon culture to fans through his turn on Discovery. "Whether someone is good or bad is all about perspective, and it’s about understanding that culture," he told StarTrek.com in 2017. "You’ll get to know the Klingons on our show, and then people can decide if we really are the villains."

Mitchell is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt, and their two children. He requested that any gifts be directed towards amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research or in support of his children, Lilah and Kallum.

The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world.

Filmography

Film roles

Year     Title            Role            Notes

2000    No Man's Land            Soldier            Short film

2001    The Green   Ric            Short film

2002    Why Don't You Dance? Chris            Short film

2003    The Recruit Alan    

2004    Miracle            Ralph Cox     

2005    Tennis, Anyone...?            Nick Allen   

2007    Home of the Giants            Keith Morrison         

2010    AIDS: We Did It!            Unknown        Short film

2015    5-25-77        John Dykstra           

2019    Captain Marvel Joseph Danvers           

 

Television roles

Year     Title            Role            Notes

2001    Leap Years            Spencer Matthew            Recurring role, 9 episodes

2002            Odyssey 5       Marc Taggart            Recurring role, 10 episodes

2006    Grey's Anatomy            Wade Solomon            1 episode

2006    CSI: Miami   Robert Gordon            1 episode

2006    The Unit      Keith Soto     1 episode

2006–2008            Jericho            Eric Green   Main role, 26 episodes

2008            Flashpoint            Sergeant Pete Fitzhaven            1 episode

2008–2009            Ghost Whisperer            Sam Lucas            Recurring role, 15 episodes

2009    Without a Trace Derek Wilson  1 episode

2009    Meteor            Russ Hapscomb            Miniseries, 2 episodes

2009    Iron Road    Edgar            Miniseries, 2 episodes

2010    Lie to Me       Duane Corey   1 episode

2010    Hawaii Five-0  Craig Ellers / Paul Stark    1 episode

2010    Law & Order: LA            Terry Walker 1 episode

2010    Detroit 1-8-7   Jeffery Cage    1 episode

2010            Criminal Minds Drew Jacobs  1 episode

2011    Private Practice            Elliott            1 episode

2011    Castle            Paul Whittaker            1 episode

2011    The Mentalist            Tom Wilcox 1 episode

2012    Grimm            Larry McKenzie / Bigfoot 1 episode

2012    Drop Dead Diva            Rick Keller   1 episode

2012    CSI: Crime Scene Investigation            Dalton Burke   1 episode

2013    NCIS: Los Angeles            Special Agent Danny Gallagher            1 episode

2013            Monday Mornings            Asher Knox    1 episode

2013    Bones            Ben Carr     1 episode

2013    Body of Proof            Robert Riley     1 episode

2013    Haven            Cliff            1 episode

2014    The Night Shift            George            1 episode

2014            Switched at Birth            Wes            Recurring role, 12 episodes

2014    NCIS            Nathan Curtis   2 episodes

2015    CSI: Cyber   Steve Reynolds            1 episode

2015    The Astronaut Wives Club            Deke Slayton Main role, 10 episodes

2015    Major Crimes Sam Curtis   1 episode

2015            Minority Report            Brian Stanton 1 episode

2016    Code Black   Cory Rockman            1 episode

2016–2017            Frequency       Deacon Joe Hurley            Recurring role, 6 episodes

2016            Notorious            Detective Ken Matthews            3 episodes

2017–2021            Star Trek: Discovery            Kol / Kol-Sha / Tenavik / Aurellio            Recurring role, 10 episodes

2018    The Detectives            Detective Richard            1 episode

2019    See            Edo Voss    1 episode

2019–2020            Nancy Drew    Joshua Dodd            Recurring role, 6 episodes

2020    Star Trek: Lower Decks  Black Ops Officer 2 / Romulan Guard 1 / Tweerk Captain            Voice role, 1 episode

2022    The Old Man            Joe            3 episodes