Irish actor Michael Patrick, renowned for his role in the series Game of Thrones, passed away on Wednesday at a hospice in Northern Ireland after a three-year battle with motor neuron disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The news was confirmed by his wife, Naomi Sheehan, through an Instagram post. "Mick sadly passed away at the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with ALS on February 1, 2023. He was admitted 10 days ago and cared for by the incredible team at the center. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. There are no words to express our deep sorrow," she wrote.
Patrick had been diagnosed with this progressive neurodegenerative disease in February 2023, approximately three years before his passing.
A Courageous Choice
In February 2026, fully aware of his condition, he chose not to undergo a tracheotomy to extend his life in a hospital setting, opting instead to spend his remaining time with his family.
An Indomitable Spirit
Despite the illness, Patrick maintained an extraordinary artistic presence until the end. In 2024, he made history as the first disabled actor to portray Richard III in Ireland in a Shakespeare production adapted with his regular collaborator, Oisín Kearney, for the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.
In the adapted version, the character's congenital deformity was replaced with a terminal illness diagnosis, mirroring Patrick's own battle with ALS. Jimmy Fay, executive producer of the Lyric Theatre, hailed his performance as one of the finest ever seen on the Lyric stage, earning him the Judges' Award at the Stage Awards in January 2025, held at London’s Royal Opera House.
Artistic Legacy
In 2025, Patrick premiered My Right Foot, a seventy-minute autobiographical piece about his experience with the disease, at the Dublin Theatre Festival, praised as a "masterclass in humor, honesty, and resilience."
That same year, he received the Overcoming Adversity Award at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, recognizing his artistic contributions and advocacy for causes related to the disease.
Television Career
His television career spanned roles in Game of Thrones, Blue Lights, My Left Nut, Soft Border Patrol, and This Town. In Game of Thrones, he portrayed a wildling rioter in the episode "The Broken Man" of the sixth season.
Patrick trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, after studying Science at the University of Cambridge.
His wife, Sheehan, described him as a "red-haired giant" and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. "He lived life as fully as any human could. Joy, vitality, contagious laughter," she wrote.
The funeral for Michael Patrick is scheduled for next Monday, April 13, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Carryduff, County Down. His wife shared his favorite quote from Irish writer Brendan Behan: "The most important thing in the world is to have something to eat, something to drink, and someone to love you."
FAQs about Michael Patrick's Life and Legacy
What illness did Michael Patrick battle with?
Michael Patrick battled with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, for three years before his passing.
What was Michael Patrick's notable theatrical achievement in 2024?
In 2024, Michael Patrick became the first disabled actor to play Richard III in Ireland, in a Shakespeare production adapted for the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.
How did Michael Patrick contribute to television?
Michael Patrick appeared in several television series, including Game of Thrones, where he played a wildling rioter in the episode "The Broken Man" of the sixth season.