Michael Patrick, the Irish actor best known for his role in Game of Thrones, has passed away at the age of 35.
Also known as Michael Patrick Campbell, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in February 2023. Despite his diagnosis, Patrick continued to pursue his passion for acting. He created and starred in an adaptation of The Tragedy of Richard III, reimagining the titular character as a wheelchair user with MND.
His performance earned him the Judges’ Award at The Stage Awards last year.
Patrick’s wife, Naomi, shared the heartbreaking news on social media on Wednesday, April 8. She revealed that he had passed away the day before at the Northern Ireland Hospice. Where he had admitted 10 days earlier.
“He passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends,” she wrote. “Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are.
“It’s been said more than once that Mick was an inspiration to everyone lucky enough to know him. Not just in the past few years during his illness, but throughout his life. He lived as fully as anyone could, with joy, an abundance of spirit, and infectious laughter. He was a titan of a ginger-haired man.”
Naomi ended her tribute with a quote from 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.”
Patrick’s acting career began with a role as a Wildling Rioter in Game of Thrones in 2016. He later appeared in The Spectacular, BBC One’s Blue Lights, Steven Knight’s This Town, and BBC Three’s My Left Nut, which he also co-wrote.
In 2024, he took on the lead role in The Tragedy of Richard III at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, portraying the character as a royal with MND. His performance widely praised and earned him the prestigious Judges’ Award at The Stage Awards.
Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre Belfast, paid tribute to Michael Patrick. Saying the theatre community had “lost a great artist.”
“He used the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune thrown at him and turned them into visceral and vibrant art,” Fay said.
