RJ Mitte Break the bad co-stars pay tribute to actor after his death at age 34.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and later became an advocate for disability rights, died Monday in Brownsville, Texas, his representatives previously announced. No cause of death has been revealed, but TMZ reported that he had committed suicide.
One of his most notable roles was as Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn’s characters Walter and Skyler White, in Vince Gilligan’s film. Break the bad. The Emmy Award-winning series ran for five seasons, from 2008 to 2013.
Earlier this month, Mitte made an appearance on The Joe Vulpis podcastwhere he praised the work with Cranston and Gunn on the crime drama. “Bryan and Anna have a wealth of knowledge and have been in the industry for many years then and even longer now,” he recalls. “And so every day, since it was a dark show with heavy themes, everything was very light, even between takes.”
Following the news of Mitte’s death, Cranston, Aaron Paul and Dean Norris are among those remembering the actor.
“I am in deep despair as I write this tonight,” Cranston shared in a lengthy post on Instagram. “RJ Mitte, my adorable son on Break the bad died. I met him when he was just 14 years old, playing the role of Walter White Jr., a role he played with such joy and enthusiasm. Born with cerebral palsy, he never allowed this challenge to be an excuse for anything. He faced the demanding filming schedule with great determination. He always listened to the advice his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him – but as a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring advice to learn the hard way… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but he was still a kid.
He continued, “This kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February 2007, but little by little we saw him become a really good actor. He used his experience on the show to become a strong advocate for disabled artists and was the head of a philanthropic organization focused on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential is now such a loss. It’s especially devastating to learn that he took his own life. Why ?We were texting each other just a few weeks ago about 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 really enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the show, and after the spotlight on. Break the bad attenuated… I will miss you, my son.
“I cannot stop here without imploring anyone who is considering suicide to call the support they 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’m lost. I’m heartbroken by this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed. And to anyone reading this, know that you are loved and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Norris, who played Hank Schrader, Walt Jr.’s uncle, shared, “Even though RJ didn’t play my son on TV, I always looked out for him when I was young on set. He was a lovely young man and he will be greatly missed. It’s so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. I’m thinking of him and his family.”
Read more tributes from other industry notables below.
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