Irish actor and writer Michael Patrick, who appeared on the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones,” has died at the age of 35 following a three-year struggle with motor neuron disease (MND).
Patrick died on April 7 surrounded by family and friends after being admitted into hospice care in Northern Ireland 10 days prior, his wife, Naomi Sheehan, shared on social media.
“Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are,” Sheehan wrote alongside a wedding photo of the two.
“It’s been said more than once that Mick was an inspiration to everyone who was privileged enough to come into contact with him, not just in the past few years during his illness but in every day of his life.
“He lived a life as full as any human can live,” she continued. “Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, MND is a progressive neurological condition that affects muscle function needed for common motor activities like breathing, speaking, swallowing and walking.
Over time, the neurons that control these movements become damaged, leading to disability and eventually death, as there is no cure for the disease. ALS is the most common form of MND, however it is unclear exactly what diagnosis Patrick had.
“We are so grateful for every person who supported us through the last few years,” Sheehan added. She then shared his favorite quote from Brendan Behan: “The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink, and somebody to love you.”
Patrick built a diverse career across television, film, and stage. He kicked off his acting career at the University of Cambridge, where he performed with the famous Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe and was also a member of the UK National Youth Theatre.
His most popular credits include roles on “Game of Thrones,” “Blue Lights,” “This Town,” and the BBC series “My Left Nut,” which he co-wrote based on his own life experiences growing up.
During his final months, Patrick remained candid about his deteriorating condition, sharing updates on social media. In his final post on Feb. 6, the actor said that his neurologist told him he had a year to live.
“My neurologist gave us the news that I likely have about 1 year left (obviously he can’t say for definite and we still have hope for the drug trial to buy some more time too),” he wrote at the time. “So I don’t want to risk a significant amount of that time being in a hospital bed.”
“Still lots to live for and lots planned,” he concluded.
Friends Read Free
Copy
Facebook
Tweet
