RJ Mitte, 'Breaking Bad' Actor and Disability Advocate, Dies at 34
The actor, known for his role as Walter White Jr., passed away on Monday, with reports suggesting suicide.
RJ Mitte, an actor best known for his portrayal of Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed series "Breaking Bad," died on Monday at the age of 34. A county official in Brownsville, Texas, confirmed the actor's death to TMZ.
Mitte made his final public appearance on the red carpet for the premiere of his new film, "Talking to Strangers," in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, September 30. The film, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, saw Mitte star opposite Lin Yin. He had been actively promoting the independent movie in the days leading up to his passing.
In his final social media post on Thursday, October 8, Mitte encouraged fans to watch and support "Talking to Strangers." "Had the pleasure of attending the LA premiere for a film I made, Talking to Strangers The Movie, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video," he wrote. "It's got a little love, some comedy, and maybe even some drama. Go check it out!"
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three, was a vocal advocate for disability awareness, representation, and inclusion. He often spoke about how he drew from his personal experiences living with the condition for his role in "Breaking Bad." He appeared in 56 episodes of the Emmy-winning series, which aired from 2008 to 2013.
"I wouldn't be in the position I am in today without my disability," Mitte told The Wrap in 2016. "I utilized everything I know about living with cerebral palsy for my role in Breaking Bad. It was my acting ability that landed me the role, although my disability helped get me the part of Walt Junior. Like everyone else, I went through a grueling audition process."
Representatives for Mitte confirmed his death in a statement to Deadline, calling him a "beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate." The statement further noted that Mitte "brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."
TMZ has reported that Mitte's death may have been by suicide, though no further details regarding his passing have been released. Law enforcement has stated that a death investigation is ongoing. Mitte moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue acting. In addition to his acting career, he was also involved in philanthropy and aimed to raise awareness about disability representation in media. In 2016, he was preparing to co-present the Paralympic Games and expressed his goal of changing global attitudes towards disability.