Michael Patrick, Irish actor known for Shakespeare roles and “Game of Thrones”, dies at 35
Michael Patrick, Irish actor known for Shakespeare roles and “Game of Thrones”, dies at 35
Ryan ColemanThu, April 9, 2026 at 2:24 AM UTC
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Actor Michael PatrickCredit: Michael Patrick/Instagram
Michael Patrick, an Irish actor known for his turns in several high-profile Shakespearean stage productions, as well as on series like Game of Thrones and This Town, died on April 7 at the age of 35.
Patrick's wife, Naomi Sheehan, announced his death in an emotional Instagram post on 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 the Cleveland 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, including Measure for Measure and The Taming of the Shrew.
Michael Patrick on FacebookCredit: Michael Patrick/Facebook
Even after Patrick's MND diagnosis left him using a wheelchair, he continued turning in acclaimed stage performances, appearing in the title role in a production of Richard III at Belfast's Lyric Theatre in 2024.
On TV, Patrick appeared as a wildling rioter in the sixth season of Game of Thrones. He also starred in several BBC series, including This Town and Blue Lights.
An image shared on Michael Patrick's GoFundMeCredit: GoFundMe
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In his final Instagram post on 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."
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
