'Game of Thrones' Actor Dead at 35 After MND Battle

Former Game of Thrones actor Michael Patrick has died. He was 35.

His wife, Naomi Sheehan, confirmed via Instagram on Wednesday, April 8, that Patrick — whom she affectionately referred to as “Mick” — “sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice” on Tuesday, April 7, following a three-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The rare and terminal disease — which is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease — impacts nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, per the Mayo Clinic. The progressive disorder causes increased muscle weakness over time, eventually impacting speech, swallowing and ability to control limbs.

“[Mick] was admitted [to hospice] 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,” Sheehan wrote.

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She honored the impact that Patrick had on the Belfast entertainment community before and after he was diagnosed with MND in February 2023.

“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,” Sheenan continued. “He lived a life as full as any human can live. Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man. We are so grateful for every person who supported us through the last few years.”

Patrick opened up about his diagnosis in a January episode of the “Brain & Life” podcast, revealing that he first grew concerned in 2022 when he had trouble dancing in a play.

More alarming symptoms followed — he could no longer “lift [his] right foot” and “couldn’t point [his] toes to the ceiling” — before a relative convinced him to get checked out. He was diagnosed with MND in February 2023 and gradually lost the ability to walk on his own.

“Now my arm’s going as well, so I can’t really lift my arms very well. And my breathing’s going,” he explained in January. “So much actually this week I’m waiting for a bed to go in and get a tracheotomy.”

Patrick got involved with a clinical drug trial in the final months of his life, which he said gave him hope since there is “no real cure or treatment at the minute.” (The actor’s father died of MND as well.)

“Everyone’s been amazing,” he added. “I’ve got a great support network with my family and my wife. I got married two days before I started the drug trial, so she’s amazing. My friends from school recently raised £100,000 through a GoFundMe account for me for support and stuff. So I have a lot of support. Family and friends are really amazing and I can’t thank them enough.”

Patrick was both an actor and a playwright. He memorably portrayed a Wildling in a Game of Thrones season 6 episode, and also had guest roles in British TV shows My Left Nut and Blue Lights, as well as a recurring part in Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s 2024 music-themed drama This Town.

As a playwright, Patrick integrated his illness into a stage adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, using his wheelchair in scenes where the king travels on horseback.