‘Breaking Bad’ Stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Others Remember R.J. Mitte: “Sweetheart of a Young Man”
R.J. Mitte’s Breaking Bad co-stars are paying tribute to the actor after he died at age 34.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and later became a disability rights advocate, died Monday by suicide in Brownsville, Texas, his rep has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate R.J. Mitte,” they said in a statement.
One of his most notable roles was playing Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn’s characters, Walter and Skyler White, on Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad. The Emmy-winning series ran for five seasons, from 2008 to 2013.
Earlier this month, Mitte made an appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, where he praised working with Cranston and Gunn on the crime drama. “Bryan and Anna, they have such a wealth of knowledge and have been working in the industry for many years at the time and even more now,” he recalled. “And so every day, as far as it being a dark show having heavy themes, everything was very light-hearted, even in between takes.”
Following the news of Mitte’s death, Cranston, Aaron Paul and Dean Norris are among those remembering the actor.
“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight,” Cranston shared in a lengthy post 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. 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.”
He continued, “That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor. 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. It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… 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.”
“I can’t stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope,” Cranston concluded.
Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, also wrote in a statement shared with 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.”
Norris, who played Hank Schrader, the uncle to Walt Jr., shared, “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.”
Read more tributes from other industry notables below.
