RJ Mitte, 'Breaking Bad' Actor, Cause of Death Revealed
The actor, known for his role as Walter White Jr., died by suicide at age 34.
The cause of death for RJ Mitte, the actor best known for his role as Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed AMC series "Breaking Bad," has been confirmed as suicide. Mitte passed away on October 12 at the age of 34.
Mitte's representative released a statement confirming the tragic news, stating, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte.” The statement highlighted Mitte's authentic portrayal of Walter "Flynn" White Jr., a character with cerebral palsy, a condition Mitte himself lived with. His role on "Breaking Bad" provided him with a platform to advocate for disability awareness and inclusion.
Beyond his acting career, Mitte was a dedicated philanthropist. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and as president of The Mitte Foundation, which supported community initiatives. His work aimed to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.
Authorities confirmed that Mitte died in Texas, and an investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoing.
In the days leading up to his death, Mitte had been active publicly. He made his last public appearance on October 2, discussing his new film, "Talking to Strangers," where he played a character with cerebral palsy. He was also present at a screening of the film in Beverly Hills on September 30.
In his final interview on "The Joe Vulpis Podcast" on October 5, Mitte reflected on living life to the fullest, drawing from his experiences in his acting. "I live life to the fullest," he said. "I always try. I have a very finite amount of time."
Mourning Mitte's passing, "Breaking Bad" co-stars, including Bryan Cranston who played his on-screen father, Walter White Sr., shared tributes. Cranston expressed his deep despair, noting that he had been in contact with Mitte just weeks prior. "I loved him and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series and after the spotlight on ‘Breaking Bad’ dimmed,” Cranston wrote. “I’ll miss you, son.”
For those in need of support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and the Crisis Text Line can be accessed by texting 741741.