Michael Campbell, a Belfast actor known professionally as Michael Patrick, died on Tuesday at NI Hospice. He was 35. Campbell received an MND diagnosis in February 2023.

His wife Naomi stated the family was broken-hearted. She called him an inspiration to everyone he met through his joy, spirit, and laughter.

Campbell created and starred in an adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard III, performing the lead role from a wheelchair at Lyric Theatre Belfast. Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric, said Campbell showed strength and dignity after his diagnosis. Fay noted Campbell remained resilient and produced dynamic work despite his condition. The Lyric described his Richard III portrayal as one of the greatest performances on its stage.

In January 2025, Campbell won the Judges' Award at The Stage Awards at London's Royal Opera House. He and writing partner Oisín Kearney adapted the play to reflect a terminal illness like MND acquired during the story, unlike the original birth deformity.

The MAC theatre in Belfast said Campbell lit up stages with storytelling on death, grief, and his MND. Campbell appeared in the police drama Blue Lights. Symptoms began during a show at Dublin Fringe Festival three years ago. Within a year of diagnosis, he required a wheelchair.

In a February social media post, Campbell said his neurologist estimated one year of life remaining. He chose against a tracheostomy to avoid hospital time and thanked supporters for their help.