Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte dead at 34

Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte has passed away at the age of 34, it has been confirmed.

The star's rep told TMZ: "It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte."

The statement continued: "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."

While his rep did not confirm the cause of death, TMZ has reported that Mitte died by suicide in Texas on Monday, 12 October.

The actor rose to fame at the age of 16 when he landed the role of Bryan Cranston's onscreen son in AMC's Breaking Bad. Before that, he had an uncredited role in hit TV series Hannah Montana.

Born in August 1992, and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was three.

In 2006, he moved to Hollywood, Los Angeles, and worked with a personal talent manager to find acting opportunities where his disability could educate viewers.

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We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.

Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Kirsty is a freelance writer and editor specialising in all things entertainment. Over the past 16 years, she has worked on showbiz desks at various national newspaper websites in London, including Express.co.uk, The Sun, and MailOnline.

More recently, she spent three years living in New York City writing celebrity and lifestyle news for DailyMail.com, The Mirror US, and Daily Express US. Kirsty graduated from Southampton Solent with a BA in Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing. When she's not watching reruns of Sex and the City, you'll find her listening to David Bowie and daydreaming about an espresso martini.