RJ Mitte’s poignant comment in final interview just days before his death: ‘Keep pushing forward’
RJ Mitte had been busy on the promotional trail just days before his death aged 34, opening up in his final interview about finding true purpose in giving back and his plans for the future.
Mitte, who played Walter White Jr in Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013, died on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) in Texas. An investigation into his death is ongoing.
RJ Mitte at his final public appearance, a screening of his film Talking To Strangers on September 30. Getty
Just 12 days earlier on September 30, Mitte made what would become his final public appearance at a Los Angeles screening for his Prime Video film, Talking to Strangers.
In his final interview, Mitte opened up about the enduring legacy of his biggest role and his philanthropic work on The Joe Vulpis Podcast.
The episode was released six days before his death.
Reflecting on his success, Mitte told Vulpis he wasn’t “a big award guy” and shared how awards affected his psyche.
“I think some of my saddest days are all my greatest moments … This is my own negative trait, I guess, when I receive an award, I don’t look at it like an accomplishment,” he said.
“I look at it like I have to do better … I guess I look at that and go, do I deserve this? Am I truly worthy of this award? And I need to be better, I need to raise that bar higher.
“I need to really live up to whatever that perception I have of myself or what I think the perception others have of me.”
Rather, Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, said what made him happiest was giving back to others.
“When you get to see someone’s life change, and you get to see a child’s life change, there’s no feeling like it in the world,” he said.
“You can watch a kid go from not being able to walk and not being able to talk to walking and talking, or finding that confidence, finding whatever it is – that, to me, is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.”
RJ Mitte played Walter White’s son in Breaking Bad. Ursula Coyote/AMC
Mitte moved back to Texas from California just before the covid pandemic and had dedicated his time to philanthropic work, including his family’s own Mitte Foundation, which provides scholarships and community grants.
“I’m the president of my family foundation,” he said.
“I have anywhere from 15 to 37 students on scholarship across the state of Texas. I love it. My grandfather was an amazing man, and my grandmother was an amazing woman that really believed in education.
“And I believe education is the backbone of everything.”
Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn and RJ Mitte in Breaking Bad. AMC
Mitte told Vulpis he planned to “keep pushing forward, keep doing the things that I love” in the future.
“I would like to try to find some time in the next couple of years to myself,” he said.
“But you know, I think just keep living the dream, you know? And I tell people, every dream could be a nightmare too. But just keep living it, keep pushing forward.”
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