Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Dean Norris are mourning R.J. Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on the hit series. The actor and disability rights advocate died at 34, prompting emotional tributes from his former co-stars.
RJ Mitte reportedly passed away at 34, as Breaking Bad co-stars pay tribute
R.J. Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, died at 34 in Brownsville, Texas. His representatives confirmed his death, but reports differed on the status of the cause-of-death investigation. TMZ reported that he died by suicide, while other coverage cited authorities who said the investigation was ongoing.
Mitte had cerebral palsy from childhood and became a prominent disability rights advocate. He appeared in all five seasons of Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad, which aired from 2008 to 2013. Outside acting, he advocated for disability representation and served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy.
Following the news, Bryan Cranston, who played Mitte’s on-screen father, shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram. “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,” Cranston wrote. He added that Mitte “never — ever — allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything.” Cranston called the news “especially devastating” and urged anyone contemplating suicide to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, also released a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). “I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed,” Paul wrote. He added, “Please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Similarly, Dean Norris, who played Hank Schrader on the series, remembered Mitte fondly. “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,” Norris shared. He called the news “heartbreaking.”
Earlier this month, Mitte appeared on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, where he praised working with Cranston and Anna Gunn. He described the set atmosphere as “very light-hearted, even in between takes,” despite the show’s heavy themes.
