‘Breaking Bad’ star RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr., dead at 34
Actor RJ Mitte, best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on the hit AMC series, has died at age 34, his representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. (This video contains AI-assisted content.)
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RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. on “Breaking Bad,” died by suicide, his representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was 34.
“Sadly, we can confirm that suicide was the cause of death,” the representative said.
The actor and disability rights advocate, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, died Monday at his home in Brownsville, Texas, according to authorities.
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RJ Mitte died by suicide on Monday, his representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. for Tribeca Festival)
“It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” Mitte’s representative told Fox News Digital at the time.
Journalist Markos Papadatos shared the family’s statement on Tuesday: “It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte. RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
“Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities. At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones,” the statement concluded.
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“RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series ‘Breaking Bad.’ Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” the statement continued. “Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.”
The statement noted that Mitte also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.
The disability rights advocate was 34 years old at the time of his death
The Cameron County Justice of the Peace previously said an autopsy would be conducted.
The actor’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from his former “Breaking Bad” co-stars, including Bryan Cranston, who played his on-screen father, Walter White.
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“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight,” Cranston wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute. He remembered Mitte as a joyful and enthusiastic young actor who was cast as Walter White Jr. at age 14.
Cranston also praised Mitte’s work as a disability rights advocate and said they had remained close after the AMC series ended. The actor revealed that he and Mitte had recently discussed meeting for lunch, writing that he wondered whether such a meeting “would have changed his future.”
“But I do know that I loved him,” Cranston wrote. “I’ll miss you, son.”
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“Breaking Bad” co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul wrote emotional tributes to Mitte
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman on “Breaking Bad,” also shared a statement with The Hollywood Reporter about Mitte’s death.
“I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed,” Paul said. He added, “And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone.”
Days before his death, Mitte appeared on “The Joe Vulpis Podcast,” where he reflected on his career, advocacy work and approach to life.
“I live life to the fullest. I always try. I have a very finite amount of time,” Mitte said during the episode, which was released Oct. 5.
Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child.(Stefanie Keenan/WireImage)
Mitte also said the greatest gift of “Breaking Bad” was the platform it gave him to advocate for people with disabilities.
“That’s really the greatest thing that ‘Breaking Bad’ has given me, is to be able to lend my voice to causes that make a meaningful impact that changes people’s lives,” he said. He added that his greatest achievement was “giving back” through his foundation work.
Mitte starred in all five seasons of “Breaking Bad,” appearing in 56 episodes as Walter White Jr.
Mitte also appeared in “Switched at Birth,” “The Guardians of Justice,” “Hannah Montana” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
