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'Game of Thrones' actor Michael Patrick passes away
Irish actor Michael Patrick, who appeared in "Game of Thrones," has passed away three years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). He was 35.
His wife, Naomi Sheehan, announced his death on his Instagram account on April 8.
"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease 1st February 2023," she said.
"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."
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, MND is a condition that affects motor neurones, the nerves in the brain and spinal cord responsible for movement. Its symptoms include muscle weakness, muscle cramps, speech and communication issues, breathing problems, difficulty swallowing, changes in thinking and behavior, and more.
There are different types of MND, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form. MND has no cure, although therapies and medication exist to manage symptoms.
In her post, Naomi said that Michael was an inspiration to many people, not just during his bout with his illness but in each 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," she said.
She expressed gratitude to everyone who supported them in the past few years, and ended the post with a quote that Michael loved from the 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.' So, don't overthink it. Eat. Drink. Love," she said.
Michael appeared in "Game of Thrones" as a Wildling Rioter. He has also starred in "This Town," "Blasts from the Past," "The Spectacular," "My Left Nut," and more, per IMDb.
Michael was also a renowned theater actor and playwright. He co-adapted and starred in "The Tragedy of Richard III," notably performing the role of Richard III in a wheelchair during his diagnosis. It was a performance that won him the Judges' Award at The Stage Awards.
—CDC, GMA News
