Trigger Warning: This article includes discussion of suicide.
The Breaking Bad family reunited to honor RJ Mitte’s life and legacy. Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston, and Bob Odenkirk were among those who gathered at Hope Lutheran Church in Hollywood to remember the late actor.
Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Bob Odenkirk pay tribute to their co-star
According to Page Six, the November 7 memorial began with a church service at Hope Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m. The celebration of his life continued with a reception at The Remix Room in Hollywood, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A large portrait of the actor took center stage inside the venue, with floral arrangements surrounding the display.
Several other Breaking Bad stars also attended the memorial, including Jonathan Banks, who portrayed fixer Mike Ehrmantraut, and Raymond Cruz, who played drug kingpin Tuco Salamanca. Among the other attendees was his Switched at Birth co-star Gilles Marini.
The gathering follows the heartbreaking news of Mitte’s death at age 34. The actor died by suicide in Texas on October 12. Mitte lived with cerebral palsy from childhood and went on to build a successful acting career while championing disability rights. He appeared throughout all five seasons of Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad, which aired between 2008 and 2013. He played Walter White Jr., the son of Cranston’s character, in the hit drama.
Following the news of his death, Cranston penned a lengthy tribute to Mitte on Instagram. It read, “RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. 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.” Adding “He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but still a kid.”
The actor concluded his post by writing, “But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed…I’ll miss you, son.”
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
