Actor and advocate for disability rights, RJ Mitte, known for his portrayal of a character with cerebral palsy on the TV series “Breaking Bad,” passed away at the age of 34 on Monday, according to authorities and his representatives. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa confirmed Mitte’s death around 1:30 p.m. at his residence in Brownsville, Texas, but the cause of death remains undisclosed pending an autopsy.
Mitte played the character Walter White Jr., son of the character portrayed by Bryan Cranston, on all episodes of the popular AMC show “Breaking Bad” during its five-season run, which was recently ranked as the best show of the 21st century in a New York Times poll. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three, Mitte shared in a 2014 interview that his personal experiences with disability, physical therapy, family issues, and high medical costs mirrored key themes on the show, enhancing his performance.
Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte pursued acting in Los Angeles in 2006 and landed minor roles in sitcoms before joining the cast of “Breaking Bad” in 2007 as a teenager. His representatives praised his commitment to raising awareness about disabilities and promoting inclusivity, highlighting his efforts to challenge stereotypes and advocate for greater representation.
Fellow “Breaking Bad” co-star Bryan Cranston paid tribute to Mitte on Instagram, commending his talent and positive energy on set. Cranston reminisced about their time working together and expressed his sadness over Mitte’s passing, mentioning recent plans for a lunch meeting.
Apart from “Breaking Bad,” Mitte appeared in the series “Switched at Birth” on ABC Family and the superhero satire show “Guardians of Justice.” He also ventured into film production and was actively involved in advocacy work, serving as an ambassador for organizations like United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, as well as founding the Mitte Foundation to support charitable initiatives related to disabilities.