The Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte died on Monday aged 34, his representatives confirmed.
Mitte died in Brownsville, Texas. No cause of death was given.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” Mitte’s representatives said in a statement. “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
The Brownsville Police Department said no foul play was suspected and the investigation into his death was ongoing. Cameron County justice of the peace, Cyndi Hinojosa told the Associated Press that an autopsy would be performed.
From the age of 15, Mitte played Walter White Jr, the son of Bryan Cranston’s high school chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin, on 56 episodes of the acclaimed AMC show, which is often cited as one of the best television programs of all time.
Mitte had cerebral palsy, a condition he shared with his Breaking Bad character.
In 2015, he spoke to the Guardian about being a disabled actor who plays disabled characters.
“You accept the risks and you accept these will be the parts you play. But it’s all about how you play those parts – you have to show the inner strength that people have.”
Mitte’s costars paid tribute to him after news of his death broke, including Bryan Cranston who wrote a lengthy tribute on Instagram.
“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight,” Cranston wrote. “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.
“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.”
Cranston said he “thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I’ll miss you, son.”
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, said in a statement: “I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed.”
Dean Norris, who played Walt Jr’s uncle Hank Schrader, wrote on social media: “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.”
In addition to Breaking Bad, Mitte had roles on several series, including Switched at Birth and The Guardians of Justice. Just days before his death, he was promoting his new movie, Talking to Strangers, billed as a “romantic tragedy”.
Earlier this month, Mitte appeared on the Joe Vulpis Podcast, speaking in depth about his time on Breaking Bad. He noted his character was based on a real-life friend of the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan.
“It really felt real playing this character and getting into the groove with this character,” Mitte said.
Offscreen, Mitte was an outspoken advocate for disability representation in entertainment, and served in various philanthropic roles, including as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and as president of the Mitte Foundation.
Born in 1992, Mitte was raised in Mississippi by adoptive parents. In a 2016 interview with the Guardian, he said he found out he was adopted when he was eight years old.
“My step-brother told me. He’d overheard my mum and my stepdad at the time talking about it, and he threw it in my face. But I didn’t really care. It didn’t seem relevant, because I never once in my life felt unloved or like I was a burden.”
