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Michael Patrick, an acclaimed Irish actor from Belfast, died yesterday at age 35 from motor neurone disease. The performer, also known as Michael Campbell, passed away Tuesday evening at Northern Ireland Hospice after battling the terminal illness for three years. His death marks the loss of one of theatre’s most inspiring voices during his brief but brilliant career.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Age at death: 35 years old, diagnosed with MND in February 2023
- Major achievement: Won Judges’ Award at 2025 Stage Awards for Richard III adaptation
- Film credits: Appeared in HBO’s Game of Thrones, BBC’s Blue Lights, and Krypton
- Legacy: First disabled actor to play Shakespeare’s Richard III on the island of Ireland in wheelchair
Pioneering Performance: Richard III in a Wheelchair
Michael Patrick shattered theatrical barriers in 2024 at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre. He became the first actor with a disability to perform Shakespeare’s Richard III on the island of Ireland. His groundbreaking portrayal earned him a standing ovation and critical acclaim.
In the adapted version, Patrick and writing partner Oisin Kearney reimagined the character’s disability. Rather than the original physical deformity from birth, they made Richard receive a terminal illness diagnosis, mirroring Patrick’s own MND battle. Lyric Theatre executive producer Jimmy Fay stated Patrick’s performance was “one of the greatest performances ever on the Lyric stage.”
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From Cambridge Stars to Creative Partners
Patrick studied physics at Cambridge University, where he performed with the famous Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe. He met Oisin Kearney, who studied politics, and the two became collaborators. Their partnership produced celebrated works including Frank McGuinness’ “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
In 2017, they created “My Left Nut,” a bleakly humorous autobiographical solo show. Patrick’s father had died of motor neurone disease during Patrick’s adolescence, making this work profoundly personal. The play explored vulnerability and loss with unflinching honesty.
Major Roles and Creative Achievements
| Achievement | Details |
| Television Credits | Game of Thrones, Blue Lights, My Left Nut, Krypton, This Town |
| Major Award | Judges’ Award, Stage Awards 2025, Royal Opera House London |
| Solo Show (2025) | “My Right Foot” at Dublin Theatre Festival, 70-minute chronicle of MND |
| Theatre Credits | Royal Shakespeare Company, Abbey Theatre, Lyric Theatre Belfast |
Patrick’s talent extended across stage, screen, and writing. His work was marked by wit, honesty, and resilience. At the 2025 Stage Awards, he received a standing ovation after receiving the Judges’ Award. In June 2025, he won the Overcoming Adversity Award at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards.
“He lived a life as full as any human can live. Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man.”
— Naomi Patrick, wife of Michael Patrick
Facing MND with Courage and Creativity
Patrick diagnosed with MND in February 2023 while performing at the Dublin Fringe Festival. Within months, he could no longer stand and required a wheelchair. Despite this devastating diagnosis, he continued creating groundbreaking theatre.
In February 2026, Patrick announced a profoundly personal decision. His neurologist had given him approximately one year to live. He chose to forgo a tracheostomy, the surgical procedure that would have prolonged his life but kept him hospitalized. Instead, he opted to spend his remaining time outside hospital walls, living fully with loved ones.
How Will the Theatre Community Mourn His Loss?
Belfast’s theatre community expressed devastation at Patrick’s death. The MAC theatre said everyone who encountered his work would “carry a piece of him with them.” They described him as “an incredible actor, writer, creator and friend.”
His funeral will be held Monday, April 13, 2026 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Carryduff, County Down. Patrick is survived by his wife Naomi, mother Pauline, siblings Kate, Maurice, and Hannah, and nephew Micheál. His legacy lives through the artists he inspired and the barriers he shattered.
Sources
- The Irish Times – Comprehensive profile of Michael Patrick’s pioneering theatre career and death from MND
- BBC News NI – Detailed account of his Richard III performance and Stage Awards achievement
- Belfast Telegraph – Wife Naomi’s heartfelt tribute and community responses from theatres
