The final post shared by Marvel star Kenneth Mitchell has taken on a whole new meaning following his death at the age of 49.
News of the Star Trek actor's passing was shared by his family, who revealed on X that Mitchell had sadly passed away on Saturday (February 24) following a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
"With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend," the announcement read, with an obituary further remembering the actor as "a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger, landscape designer, garden grower, canoe paddler," and so much more - but "more than anything else, a proud father."
Mitchell is perhaps best known for his multiple roles in the Star Trek universe - playing the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, and voicing several characters in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
He also portrayed the character of Aurellio, on Star Trek: Discovery - a character that moved around using a hoverchair - a trait introduced to allow Mitchell to continue acting on-screen while battling his ALS.
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may also recognize Mitchell as Joseph Danvers, the father of a young Carol Danvers in the 2019 movie Captain Marvel.
Mitchell had often shared updates and stories regarding his battle with ALS on social media, but it is his final social media post to his thousands of fans that now carries a poignant meaning.
Just days before his death, Mitchell shared a number of AI images showing a series of male figures seemingly sourcing energy and power from trees. The actor captioned the post: "CONNECT. Time. love".
It was his first post on the platform since August 2023, and the abstract nature of the images and caption weren't immediately clear. However, following his passing, a message shared by his loved ones may shed some light on the message Mitchell was trying to share.
As part of his family's tribute, they also shared a poem called 'Connect', written by Mitchell. In it, he explains how he wants to be buried beneath the roots of a tree - so his energy can life through it. The full poem is below:
"When I die, when I leave this life, I want to become a tree, a Ginko, White pine, Jacaranda, Lemon, Cedar, Oak, Myrtle or Maple. I want to be buried under the roots, so I can be soaked up, all my matter, my energy, my love, my laughter, my tears and I want to reach up through the branches and touch the night sky. I want to twinkle with the stars and when the earth turns, I want to feel the sun on the face of my leaves. I want to give off Oxygen for all to breathe. I would like kids to climb on the branches, students to lean on me, animals to eat the fruits I'll bear. I want to bend with the wind. And when the time is right I want to be taken down and carved into a canoe paddle so I can J-stroke down the river, flowing and winding and meandering. And with the rest of the wood from the tree I want you to make a bonfire by the ocean and then I want you to care a great big drum. The biggest drum imaginable. I want to beat deep and low, to the rhythm of your heart, to the sway of the flames. I want to fill your soul, reach into your bones and resonate. Connect with your mind. Transcend with every beat. Beat. Beat. We are Family we are Freinds, I am your brother and sister, I am nature. Dance with me. Smile with me. Feel with me. Dream with me. Ascend with me. Fall and fail with me, but rise up with me. Together. Connected. Ever flowing and beating. With hope and optimism. With tenacity and humility. With love and kindness. With courage and vigor. With conviction. Take my hand, my branch, my paddle, my drum and dance with me.... forever!"
Alongside the poem, the actor's family also shared an photo depicting a piece of wood adorned with Kenneth's name and an image of a tree:
As previously mentioned, Mitchell's last Instagram post was shared back in August, in which, he commemorated the fifth anniversary of his ALS diagnosis.
Set to a beautiful image of him and his wife staring out at a sunset, Mitchelle wrote: "I want to celebrate today; the gift of life. I’m so thankful to have this day in front of me. It’s been a long 5 years. So much lost, so much gained. Incredibly hard times, mixed with so many more blessings."
"This disease is absolutely horrific…yet despite all the suffering, there is so much to be grateful for. Especially the little joys and resilience of today and the hope of a tomorrow," he added.
In honor of Mitchell's memory, his loved ones has established a GoFundMe campaign to support ALS research and provide for his family.
As of this writing, more than $23,000 has been raised.
Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susan May Pratt, and their two children, Lilah and Callum.
Our thoughts continue to go out to Mitchell's family, friends, and fans at this time.