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Beloved Star Trek and Marvel star passes away at age 49

<p>The entertainment world is mourning the loss of a talented actor and beloved individual, Kenneth Mitchell, who passed away at the age of 49 after bravely battling ALS for five years.</p> <p>Mitchell, recognised for his roles in notable productions such as <em>Star Trek: Discovery</em> and <em>Captain Marvel</em>, leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the screen.</p> <p>In a heartfelt statement shared through X and Instagram, Mitchell's family announced his passing, remembering him as a cherished father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend.</p> <p>“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” his family wrote. “Ken was widely known as an actor in many films and television shows. He’s portrayed an Olympic hopeful, an apocalypse survivor, an astronaut, a superhero’s dad, and four unique Star Trekkers.</p> <p>“For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment.</p> <p>“He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone. His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community.” </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3wkUg9tOmj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3wkUg9tOmj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kenneth Mitchell (@mr_kenneth_mitchell)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Mitchell's journey with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, began in 2018 when he received the diagnosis. Despite the challenges it presented, he faced his condition with courage and resilience. By 2019, Mitchell had transitioned to using a wheelchair, and in 2020, he chose to share his health struggles publicly, shedding light on the realities of living with ALS.</p> <p>In an interview he gave during that time, Mitchell expressed the profound impact of his diagnosis on both himself and his wife, emphasising the strength they found in facing adversity together. He spoke of the initial shock and uncertainty surrounding his condition, highlighting the process of grieving and adjusting to a new reality marked by unknown challenges.</p> <p>For fans of <em>Star Trek</em>, Mitchell's portrayal of Klingon characters Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik, and Aurellio in <em>Star Trek: Discovery</em> resonated deeply, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor. Additionally, his voice acting contributions to <em>Star Trek: Lower Decks</em> further solidified his place within the cherished franchise.</p> <p>The outpouring of tributes from the Star Trek community, as well as from his colleagues and fans worldwide, speaks volumes about Mitchell's impact both on and off the screen. A statement from StarTrek.com conveys condolences to Mitchell's family, friends, and loved ones, underscoring the profound loss felt by all who were touched by his work.</p> <p>Mitchell is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt and their two children, and has requested any gifts be directed towards ALS research or in support of his children.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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How Kenneth Branagh brought child-like magic to Belfast

<p dir="ltr">It’s one of the most low-key films of the 2022 Oscar season, but Kenneth Branagh’s black and white drama <em>Belfast</em> is not to be underestimated. </p> <p dir="ltr">The film, which is loosely based on Branagh’s own childhood, explores the “troubles” in Northern Ireland in 1969 through the eyes of nine-year-old Buddy. </p> <p dir="ltr">The acclaimed movie picked up seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench and Best Supporting Actor for Ciarán Hinds, while Kenneth Branagh is up for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.</p> <p dir="ltr">When filming began for <em>Belfast</em>, young star Jude Hill, who plays Buddy, said he felt an instant connection with the director. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When I first read the script, I immediately felt related to Buddy because we can relate on a lot of different topics,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re both massive football fans, and we’re massive movie fans as well.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just loved playing a young version of Kenneth and he didn’t put me under any pressure at all.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Belfast native Ciarán Hinds, who plays Buddy’s grandfather, says Kenneth’s film tells the more human story of the civil war in Ireland, rather than the political side. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Because Ken has written the script through the eyes of a nine-year-old child, there are no political agendas,” Hinds says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ken doesn’t shy away from the violence and the bitterness, it’s all on the television, it’s on in the street, but it is seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“To see that innocence was deeply moving, reading the script, and then when I saw it fulfilled for the first time on the screen, I thought, ‘this has actually got to the heart of the soul and the people of Belfast’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the trailer for the film below. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ja3PPOnJQ2k" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Rob Youngson / Focus Features</em></p>

Movies

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Woman murdered by husband during murder mystery dinner cruise

<p>39-year-old Kristy Manzanares was killed by her husband Kenneth Manzanares during a week-long cruise.</p> <p>Kristy was on a holiday with her husband of 17 years and their three daughters, when she was found murdered in her cabin on Tuesday night.</p> <p>A statement from her loved ones described her as “a devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend”.</p> <p>It said, “Kristy led by example with her giving heart and we are inspired by the legacy of kindness and optimism she has instilled in her children.”</p> <p>Her husband, Kenneth Manzanares, was arrested and charged with her murder. Authorities say that he killed his wife on board the Emerald Princess because she “wouldn’t stop laughing at him”.</p> <p>The ship’s security found Kristy in her cabin at 9 pm with a severe head wound and she was pronounced dead 20 minutes later.</p> <p>Ship staff have said that Kenneth had attempted to throw her body overboard.</p> <p>The cruise’s theme was murder mystery and staff initially believed the scene had been staged to fit in with the theme.</p> <p>At 9 pm on Tuesday night, the captain sent a message on the intercom ordering security to go to the ninth floor, where the couple were staying.</p> <p>Once security reached the couple’s cabin, they found a bloody scene and Kristy’s body.</p> <p>Kenneth Manzanares was charged on Thursday after being taken in to the custody of Alaskan authorities on Wednesday morning after the ship docked in Alaska.</p> <p>According to police, during questioning he said, “My life is over.”</p> <p>Cruise passengers who were on the same floor as the family explained that they saw a child sitting on an older woman’s lap sobbing.</p> <p>“I see this little girl sitting on – I assume – her grandma or somebody, sitting on her lap wrapped in a blanket. And she's just sobbing,” Brian Eckstorm told KTUU.</p> <p>“A man came walking out from the hallway where it happened and he had, like, a white tank top on, and some jeans.”</p> <p>“His jeans were completely covered in blood and he came out saying, 'It's not good, it's not good',” he added. </p> <p>Kristy worked as a real estate agent with Sotheby’s in St George, Utah.</p> <p>Her profile on the Summit Sotheby’s International realty site reads, “In her spare time, Kristy enjoys volunteering at local schools and is involved in the Jubilee of Trees as Tree Designer each year.”</p> <p>“She loves cheering on her daughters at soccer games, spending time with extended family and is currently learning how to play golf with her husband.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="630" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40288/ship1_500x630.jpg" alt="Ship1"/></p> <p>Passengers were kept aboard the ship for eight hours after being diverted to Juneau because of the investigation.</p> <p>Travellers in rooms on the post side of decks 8, 9 and 10 were instructed to return to their cabins during the day so they could be interviewed by investigators.</p> <p>Other passengers were able to move around the ship during lockdown.</p> <p>No further schedule changes were expected for the cruise ship. </p>

Cruising