Actor RJ Mitte, known for playing Walter White Jr in the television series Breaking Bad, has died aged 34, his representatives said on Monday. The cause of death of the actor, who had cerebral palsy, was not immediately disclosed. Shawn Riley, the late actor’s representative, announced the news in a statement that said: “It is with great sadness that we share the tragic passing of the beloved, kind-hearted actor and passionate advocate for people with disabilities, RJ Mitte.”
Mitte as Walter White Jr
Mitte was still a teenager when he began appearing in Breaking Bad in 2008, playing Walter White Jr, the son of chemistry teacher Walter White, who became a drug-trafficking kingpin. Bryan Cranston played the father in the role that brought him global fame.
Riley said Mitte drew on his personal experience of living with cerebral palsy, which gave his performance authenticity and helped him build a platform to raise awareness of disability issues and advocate for greater inclusion. He added that Mitte’s activism in the field later developed further, as he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and for the non-profit Shriners Children’s hospital network.
Mitte foundation and support for disability representation
Mitte also chaired a foundation bearing his name. Riley said he used it to support charitable efforts and community initiatives, while drawing on his public profile to challenge stereotypes and advocate for broader representation of people with disabilities. Breaking Bad ran for five seasons between 2008 and 2013 and became one of the most influential and critically acclaimed television programmes.
The New York Times also named it the best television series of the 21st century. Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, Walter White’s criminal partner, mourned his colleague, saying: “RJ, I love you, my friend. We will miss you.” Dean Norris, who played Walter White Jr’s uncle and a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, said his heart broke when he heard of the death.
He wrote that he had made a point of looking after Mitte and caring for him when he was a young child on set, even though he did not play his son in the series. Norris added: “He was such a wonderful, kind-hearted young man, and we will miss him terribly. It is heartbreaking, I cannot believe it.”
