RJ Mitte's Breaking Bad co-stars pay tribute as actor dies, aged 34

This article includes discussion of suicide that some readers may find upsetting.

RJ Mitte has been remembered by his acting co-stars following his death at the age of 34.

The actor, most famous for playing Walt Jr on Breaking Bad, was confirmed to have died on Monday evening. His representatives later announced that he died by suicide in Brownsville, Texas.

Bryan Cranston, who led the cast of Breaking Bad as Walter White, paid tribute in an Instagram post, calling Mitte his “sweet son” as he reflected on their time together.

Saying he was in “deep despair” at the news, Cranston wrote: “I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr, a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm.

“Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination.

“Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him - but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show - but still a kid.”

“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007,” he added. “But little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor.”

Praising Mitte’s work as a disability advocate for those with cerebral palsy, Cranston continued: “He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community.

“All that promise and potential now is such a loss.”

Ending the statement with a link to the US 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, urging people to reach out should they need to, Cranston ended his message by saying he “loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed,” before concluding: “I’ll miss you, son.”

Aaron Paul, who played series co-lead Jesse Pinkman, later added in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed.

“And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”

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Dean Norris, who played Walt Jr.’s uncle Hank Schrader on the show shared on X: “Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set.

“He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”

As well as Breaking Bad, Mitte also had roles in TV shows including Switched at Birth, Now Apocalypse and The Guardians of Justice, and films The Oak Room, Triumph and Talking to Strangers.

Actress Lea Thompson wrote: “I had the pleasure of working with [RJ] on Switched at Birth. He was joyous, professional, kind and very, very good.

“I am so broken hearted to hear of his passing. May his memory be a blessing. Rest in peace RJ your work inspired so many.”

In 2017, he appeared on British TV as part of the cast of Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, lasting eight days, with Ryan Thomas declaring him the “main man” of the island, praising him for his survival skills.

Throughout his time in the spotlight, he was an outspoken advocate and philanthropist for those with cerebral palsy, a condition he was diagnosed with when he was three years old.

He served as President for The Mitte Foundation in Brownsville, Texas, an organisation founded by his adoptive parents Roy Frank Mitte and Dyna Mitte in 1994, in order to continue and expand their philanthropic efforts and advocate for better inclusion and access for the arts.

If you need help and support on issues raised within this article, please visit Samaritans, CALM, Rethink Mental Illness and Mind for guidance.

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