'Game of Thrones' actor Michael Patrick dies at 35 following battle with motor neuron disease

Irish actor Michael Patrick, who appeared in Game of Thrones, died after a battle with an incurable brain disease. He was 35.

Her wife Naomi announced his death on his Instagram page on Thursday, April 9, sharing that he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease two years ago. 

"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice," she said. "Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are."

She shared that Patrick was admitted to a hospital 10 days prior, where he was "cared for by [an] incredible team," and died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.

"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," she 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," she added.

According to health information site Cleveland Clinic, motor neuron disease leads to gradual damage of the motor neurons, leading to disability and eventually death. While the illness has no cure, symptoms can be treated.

Per IMDb, Patrick began acting while studying at the University of Cambridge, performing in Shakespearean plays.

On the small screen, he starred as a wildling rioter in the sixth season of Game of Thrones and appeared in BBC series like This Town and Blue Lights.