RJ Mitte, 'Breaking Bad' Actor and Disability Advocate, Dies at 34
The actor, who played Walter White Jr. and lived with cerebral palsy, passed away in Texas; his castmates have shared tributes.
RJ Mitte, known for his role as Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed AMC series "Breaking Bad," has died at the age of 34. A county official confirmed his death to TMZ, stating that Mitte passed away on Monday in Texas and that a death investigation is ongoing. Multiple castmates and colleagues have shared tributes following the news.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) at age three, used his platform to advocate for disability awareness and inclusion. His representative released a statement acknowledging his passing as a "tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte." The statement highlighted his authentic portrayal of Walter White Jr. on "Breaking Bad" and his ambassadorship for organizations like United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
Mittens played Walter White Jr. in 56 episodes of "Breaking Bad" from 2008 to 2013. The series, which followed a high school chemistry teacher's transformation into a meth manufacturer, garnered widespread critical acclaim.
Matt Jones, who played Brandon 'Badger' Mayhew on "Breaking Bad," shared a heartfelt tribute to Mitte, expressing regret over their last interaction. "January 2025. This was the last time I saw you," Jones posted on social media, accompanied by a photo of himself with Mitte. "We stood in the back of a group photo making jokes and talking about how ridiculous our lives were." Jones recounted Mitte's plans for a new setup in Texas and his regret at having "bailed because [he] was tired" on an invitation to go out that night. "I’m so sorry. I met you 19 years ago, you were only 15. I’m beyond devastated. You were a little brother to all of us," Jones wrote.
Mitte's advocacy extended to calling for greater representation of disabled actors in television and film. In a 2023 interview with WUWF, he emphasized the impact of positive influences with disabilities, stating, "TV really brings communities together in a way that you might not realize through social outlet. I think that can really inspire individuals, and that can do wonders for confidence and self-esteem." He noted that seeing characters with similar struggles succeed could provide crucial motivation.
In 2016, Mitte expressed a desire for more on-screen portrayals of disabled individuals that focused on their interests rather than solely on their impairments. He told the Irish Examiner, via Variety, that while progress was being made, the industry needed to do more to support disabled individuals both in front of and behind the camera. He advocated for increased visibility beyond events like the Paralympics.
Mitte also acknowledged how his disability shaped his career. "I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without my disability," he said. "I utilized everything I know about living with cerebral palsy for my role in Breaking Bad."
"Breaking Bad put me on the map," Mitte told The Independent in 2021. "None of my projects would exist without that show and the opportunity it gave me. It really opened a lot of doors for me. I wouldn’t have the media profile and the following that I have today without Walter White Jr. I would just be some kid who lives in Texas."
Mitte's passing comes a year after his engagement to Kennedy Suarez. He proposed to Suarez on her 30th birthday at the 56th annual Dia del Sol 2025 benefit in Carlsbad, California, an event that supported United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego. Suarez described the occasion as "a fairytale."
Mitte and Suarez resided in Brownsville, Texas. Mitte was also the president of The Mitte Foundation, a charity focused on revitalizing marginalized communities in South Texas.
Born in Mississippi, Mitte discovered at age six that he was adopted. He spoke of his gratitude for his adoptive mother, who adopted him after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He also recounted supporting his mother and sister financially after his mother's car accident left her partially paralyzed and resulted in job loss.
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