American actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr in the television drama Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34.
Mitte died in Brownsville, Texas, on Monday, according to a statement from his representative. His publicist confirmed to Reuters that his death was by suicide.
The actor, who had cerebral palsy, was also a disability rights advocate who used his experience to promote inclusion and better representation of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry.
His death has prompted tributes from former co-stars, including Bryan Cranston, who played his father, Walter White, in the award-winning series.
In a post on Instagram, Cranston said he was in “deep despair” following the news, recalling meeting Mitte when he was 14 and watching him grow into a talented actor.
“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor,” Cranston wrote.
He also praised Mitte for never allowing his cerebral palsy to become an excuse and for his efforts to advocate for performers with disabilities.
“All that promise and potential now is such a loss,” he said, adding, “I'll miss you, son.”
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, also paid tribute, describing himself as heartbroken.
“RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed,” Paul wrote, while encouraging people reading his message to remember that they are loved and not alone.
Dean Norris, who portrayed Mitte’s on-screen uncle, Hank Schrader, described him as a “sweetheart of a young man” and said he would be greatly missed.
From Breaking Bad to disability advocacy
Mitte rose to international prominence through Breaking Bad, which aired for five seasons between 2008 and 2013.
The series followed Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to manufacturing and selling drugs after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Mitte played his son, Walter White Jr, also known as Flynn.
Drawing on his own experience with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the character, helping broaden conversations about disability representation on television.
His representative, Sean Reilly, described him as an actor who built a platform around disability awareness and inclusion.
Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's and established the Mitte Foundation to support philanthropic and community initiatives.
Beyond Breaking Bad, his screen credits included Hannah Montana and Switched at Birth. He continued to advocate for more complex and diverse portrayals of people with disabilities.
In a 2021 interview with the BBC, Mitte said greater awareness of disability representation was encouraging, although progress often came in small steps rather than through sweeping change.
His career combined acting with advocacy, making him a prominent voice in efforts to challenge stereotypes and expand opportunities for performers with disabilities.
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