Actor and advocate for disability rights RJ Mitte, who infused his portrayal of a young man with cerebral palsy in the pivotal role of Breaking Bad with personal experience, passed away on Monday at the age of 34, according to officials and his representatives.
Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa informed The Associated Press that she officially pronounced Mitte dead around 1:30 p.m. at what was reportedly his residence in Brownsville, Texas.
While she was unable to disclose the cause of death, she noted that an autopsy would be conducted.
Mitte portrayed Walter White Jr., the offspring of Bryan Cranston’s character, a chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer, throughout nearly all episodes of the five-season series aired on AMC, which was recently voted the best show of the 21st century in a poll conducted by The New York Times.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three, Mitte shared with The Associated Press in 2014 that his experiences with his disability, including challenges related to physical therapy, familial issues, and high medical expenses—central themes in the show—enhanced his performance.
RJ Mitte, known for his role as Walt Jr. in Breaking Bad, spoke out against bullying in Ottawa.
“You cultivate a different mindset and perspective on how the world perceives you and how you perceive the world,” he remarked. “You can leverage that. I consider it an asset rather than a hindrance.”
Mitte was born and grew up in Jackson, Mississippi.
He began his acting career with minor guest appearances on sitcoms after relocating to Los Angeles in 2006. Like his character, he was a teenager when he started his journey on Breaking Bad in 2007, with the series airing from 2008 to 2013.
“Mitte infused authenticity into the character and established a platform for disability awareness and inclusion,” the actor’s representatives stated in their announcement regarding his passing. The statement highlighted his commitment to challenging stereotypes and advocating for increased representation.
On Instagram, co-star Cranston paid tribute to Mitte, describing him as a “truly talented actor” who brought “immense joy and passion” to his role.
“I adored him and cherished our time together during the series and even after the spotlight on Breaking Bad faded,” Cranston shared, noting that they had been texting a few weeks prior to arrange a lunch meeting.
“I’ll miss you, son.”
Mitte’s later work included appearances in the ABC Family series Switched at Birth and the superhero parody series Guardians of Justice.
Additionally, he produced several independent films.
As a disability advocate, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and was the president of his own Mitte Foundation, which supported philanthropic and community initiatives focused on disabilities.