‘Titan Of A Man’ – Tributes To Actor With MND Who Played Richard III In Wheelchair

An actor with motor neurone disease (MND) who won one of the UK’s biggest drama awards for a “legendary” performance as Richard III in a wheelchair has died aged 35.

Michael Campbell, also known as Michael Patrick, was diagnosed with the terminal illness in February 2023 and died on Tuesday at NI Hospice.

Posting on social media, his wife Naomi said his family was broken-hearted.

“He lived a life as full as any human can live,” she said.

Naomi’s post went on to say 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”.

“Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man.”

Lyric Theatre Belfast, the venue where he performed the leading role in Shakespeare’s Richard III, said it was devastated to learn of his death.

In a statement Lyric’s executive producer Jimmy Fay paid tribute to Campbell, saying: “These islands have lost a great artist, and the sky is brighter tonight with his star.”

He said Campbell, who was from Belfast, had been part of the Lyric family for many years.

“Mick showed great strength and dignity in light of his diagnosis MND,” Fay said.

“He remained resilient and focused, creating dynamic work throughout his struggles.

“We at the Lyric pay tribute to his remarkable talent and send our deepest condolences to his wife Naomi, his mother and sisters, and all his friends, family and colleagues at this sad time.

Belfast’s the MAC theatre said everyone who encountered Campbell’s work would “carry a piece of him with them”.

“Michael was an incredible actor, writer, creator and friend to all of those lucky enough to know him.

“He lit up stages with his poignant storytelling where he laid bare his life experience.

“Exploring themes of death, grief and his more recent motor neurone disease diagnosis with bravery, and a fierce comic side.”

In January 2025 Campbell’s work creating and starring in his adaptation of The Tragedy of Richard III was recognised at a prestigious ceremony.

He received a standing ovation from the crowd after he won the Judges’ award at The Stage Awards, which celebrate theatre across the UK, at London’s Royal Opera House.

At the time he told BBC News NI that he and his writing partner Oisín Kearney had adapted Shakespeare’s play with his own illness in mind.

“In Shakespeare’s version Richard III is deformed from birth,” he said.

“They found his skeleton in a car park and it looked like he had scoliosis.”

“We changed it so that at the start of the play Richard gets news that he’s got a terminal illness, something like MND that’s going to get worse,” he said.

In a written tribute, Kearney described Campbell as “an actor of epic proportions”.

“He was able to make an audience laugh or cry in an instant. As a writer, he could express the knife-edge of comedy and tragedy that is human experience.”

Kearney said Campbell dealt with his diagnosis bravely and “showed us how we can do better when it comes to disabilities”.

He added: “I am so proud to call him my creative partner and even prouder to say he was my friend.”

What is MND?

MND is a condition that affects the nerves found in the brain and spinal cord, which tell your muscles what to do.

It causes weakness that gets worse over time and can significantly shorten life expectancy.

It is a relatively rare condition which is most common in people over 50, but adults of any age can be affected.

There is currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.

It was while acting in a show at the Dublin Fringe Festival three years ago that Campbell, who has also appeared in award-winning police drama Blue Lights, started experiencing symptoms.

Less than a year after his diagnosis he could not stand up and had to use a wheelchair.

In his most recent post on social media, external in February, Campbell said his neurologist had given him about one year left to live and he had decided not to go ahead with a tracheostomy – an artificial airway fitted to the throat to help his breathing – so he could spend that time out of a hospital.

In the post he thanked the many people who had helped him with his MND and said he was overwhelmed by their generosity.

Campbell previously told BBC News NI that writing about his condition could be hard but also “cathartic”.

“You really have to tap in to what you’re feeling and what you’re going through, which is difficult, but at the same time it allows you to find the funny side of things,” he said.

“It does help with my own head writing about it.”

In its statement Lyric said Campbell’s work as a writer and actor had made a huge impact.

“Michael Patrick’s portrayal of Richard III in a now legendary production was one of the greatest performances ever on the Lyric stage,” Fay said.

“In its eloquence, wit and haunting bravery, he was inspirational.”