Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte dead at 34 as heartbroken co-stars pay tribute

Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte has died, aged 34.

Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. in the hit series from 2008 to 2013, died on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) in Texas. His representative has since confirmed to People that the actor died by suicide.

His death investigation is ongoing.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his representatives said in a statement to Deadline.

“Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”

Breaking Bad co-stars pay tribute

Mitte’s Breaking Bad co-star and on-screen dad Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White on the series, shared a gut-wrenching tribute to Instagram.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” he began. “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.“

Cranston said that “kid” was pretty raw when they started filming the pilot in February 2007, but little by little “we watched him grow into a great actor”.

“He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organisation with a focus on helping the disabled community,” he wrote.

“All that promise and potential now is such a loss. It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why?“

Cranston said he’d texted Mitte just weeks ago, figuring out when they 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…” he wrote.

“I’ll miss you, son.”

He concluded by saying: “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.”

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, was one of the first to pay tribute to Mitte.

“I am at a loss,” Paul said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

“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.”

Dean Norris, who played Hank Shrader, was shocked by the news of Mitte’s death.

“Oh my God! Was working just found about RJ I am heartbroken. Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set,” Norris wrote on social media.

“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.”

Mitte’s advocacy and life beyond TV

Mitte appeared in 56 episodes of Breaking Bad, and was also known for his work in Switched at Birth, Now Apocalypse and The Guardians of Justice.

Mitte announced his engagement to partner Kennedy Suarez in 2025.

Read more

Selma Blair released on bail after arrest over alleged violent plane incident

He proposed during his appearance at the 56th annual Dia del Sol 2025 benefit to raise money for charity United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of San Diego.

“I’m thrilled to have found my person, my partner in life who makes me want to be better, no matter what we’re doing,” he told People last year.

“Kennedy is my everything and I can’t wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next.”

Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, was a long-time advocate for disability support and awareness.

He was born and raised by adopted parents in Jackson, Mississippi, and diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was three years old.

Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and he was the president of his own charity, the Mitte Foundation, which supported various philanthropic efforts while challenging stereotypes about people with disabilities.

In an interview with Future of Personal Health last year, he said: “Disability is part of my story, but it doesn’t define my story. I want young people, disabled or not, to know their dreams are valid, their voices matter, and there is always a place for them in this world.

“Living with CP gives me a deep understanding of how my body works, how it moves, and how it adapts. I try to bring that authenticity into every character.

“I also look for filmmakers who want to represent people with disabilities living full, rewarding, fulfilling lives, not defined by their diagnosis but shaped by their humanity.”

Just days ago, Mitte recalled how his role on Breaking Bad materialised.

“My character was written with someone with cerebral palsy. This was from the beginning, that was always the case,” Mitte said on The Joe Vulpis Podcast.

“Walt Jr. was based on a real person, a friend of (Breaking Bad creator) Vince Gilligan in college who had cerebral palsy, who used forearm crutches and sometime after passed away. So it really felt real playing this character and getting into the groove with this character.”

His most recent credit was starring opposite Lin Yin in Talking to Strangers.

The drama even had a red-carpet screening less than a fortnight ago on September 30, which he attended.

He wrote on Facebook at the time: “Had the pleasure of attending the LA premiere for a film I made, Talking to Strangers The Movie, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

“It’s got a little love, some comedy, and maybe even some drama. Go check it out.”

Mitte is survived by his fiancee, parents, and younger sister Lacianne.

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636). In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).