Michael Patrick, an Irish actor known for his turns in several high-profile Shakespearean stage productions, as well as on series likeGame of ThronesandThis Town, died on April 7 at the age of 35.
Patrick's wife, Naomi Sheehan, announced his death in anemotional Instagram poston Wednesday.
"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease 1st February 2023," Sheehan explained in the caption of a picture of the couple at their wedding. "He was admitted 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends.""Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are," she wrote.
According to theCleveland Clinic, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that slowly degrades the body's motor neurons, which enable normal muscle functions like moving, speaking, eating, and breathing. There is currently no cure for MND.
Sheehan continued in her post, "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. Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man."
Patrick's wife extended gratitude "for every person who supported us through the last few years," and left off with a quote that Patrick "loved" from renowned Irish poet 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."
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A Cambridge graduate, Patrick appeared in several productions of Shakespeare at the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company in London, includingMeasure for MeasureandThe Taming of the Shrew.
Even after Patrick's MND diagnosis left him using a wheelchair, he continued turning in acclaimed stage performances, appearing in the title role in aproduction ofRichard IIIat Belfast's Lyric Theatre in 2024.
On TV, Patrick appeared as a wildling rioter in the sixth season ofGame of Thrones. He also starred in several BBC series, includingThis TownandBlue Lights.
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In hisfinal Instagram poston Feb. 6, Patrick commemorated three years since his diagnosis with MND.
"My neurologist gave us the news that I likely have about 1 year left," he wrote, but vowed that he still had "lots to live for and lots planned."
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly