Everything the ‘Game of Thrones’ actor said about MND before he died

game of Thrones actor Michael Patrick spoke candidly about his Fighting Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Before his death 35 years old.

death of michael be announced via Instagram April 8, 2026, by his wife Naomi SheehanShe shared that her husband, whom she affectionately called “Mick,” died of a neurodegenerative disease after ten days at a hospice in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (according to mayo clinicMotor neurone disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and gradually weakens the muscles that control speech, swallowing and body movements. )

“(Mick) was admitted to hospice 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Words cannot describe our heartbreak,” Sheehan wrote.

Patrick is both an actor and playwright, having appeared in game of Thrones An episode in season six as Savage. He also used his battle with MND as inspiration for his hit drama my right footwhich examines how he copes with being diagnosed with the same disease that killed his father.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Patrick’s thoughts on his diagnosis.

Michael Patrick notices increasingly dire symptoms

Michael Patrick explains “Brain and Life” Podcast He first wondered if something was wrong in January 2026 while performing a play at the Dublin Fringe Festival in late 2022.

“I had to dance in it, but I kept falling over, tripping over my shoes,” he recalled. “I kept blaming my shoes, kept saying, ‘Why are they making me dance in these big, thick shoes? It’s not fair.'” But things didn’t get any better. “

Because Michael’s family has a history of MND, his wife’s aunt suggested he get tested. When Michael went to the doctor, he could no longer “lift (his) right foot” and “pointed (his) toes toward the ceiling.”

In February 2023, he was officially diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Michael Patrick’s father dies of MND

this this town The actor reflected on his initial reaction to the diagnosis while speaking to PEOPLE instant messaging August 2025. Michael Patrick naturally wanted to know how long he could actually live since his father previously died of MND.

“My dad was diagnosed in February and passed away in October,” Michael recalled. “I didn’t spend a lot of time with him. I was thinking, ‘Am I going to (die) in October?’ Luckily I didn’t.”

He shared on the Brain & Life podcast that his family “appear to be the only people in Ireland who have this rare MND gene”.

“I have familial versions of FUS MND from four genes that are known to cause MND and familial MND. One of them is the FUS gene,” he explained. “I think this is the rarer of the four.”

Michael Patrick participates in clinical drug trial

In September 2023, Michael Patrick was accepted into a drug trial for a potential treatment for MND. Preliminary results were encouraging, as he “saw the first reversal of symptoms” within weeks of the trial starting.

“I can now wiggle my right foot (and) toes for the first time in about two years. It’s tiny,” he said on the “Brain & Life” podcast in January 2026. “Unless I had a tracheotomy, my breathing was still normal and my arm was still getting weaker, but the fact that there was some reversal there was really exciting.”

He praised the “level of care and support” he had received from the medical team since the trial began.

Michael Patrick’s friends and family unite to support him

After Michael Patrick’s MND diagnosis, his friends and family established GoFundMe account Help pay for the specialized care that comes with a tracheostomy. (Patrick’s doctor recommended that he have a tracheostomy—a surgical incision that opens the airway—to help with breathing.)

At the time of publishing, the fundraising appeal has raised more than £110,000 against a target of £100,000.

“Everybody’s been great,” he said on the “Brain and Life” podcast. “I have a great support network with my family and my wife. I got married two days before I started the drug trial so she was fantastic. My friends from school recently raised £100,000 for me through a GoFundMe account to support me. So I have a lot of support. Family and friends have been really great and I can’t thank them enough.”

Michael Patrick provides health update weeks before death

michael patrick revealed via Instagram In February 2026, his neurologist told him he “probably had about a year left.” He spent “more than a week” in hospital discussing the practicalities of proceeding with the tracheotomy.

“In short, I will not proceed with the tracheostomy,” he announced. “I confirm that due to a lack of staff resources it will be around six to 12 months before I can return home. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped drive this scheme – from senior social workers, politicians to hospital CEOs. Everyone is trying their best but there just aren’t the staff.”

Michael decided that if he were in the final stages of MND, he didn’t want to “risk a lot of time” in the hospital.

“Thank you so much for all the donations to the GoFundMe, which although I did not go ahead with the tracheotomy, will still provide me with professional care as I enter the final stages of my life. I am still touched by your generosity,” he concluded.

Michael died on 7 April 2026 after 10 days in the Northern Ireland Hospice.