RJ Mitte, 'Breaking Bad' Star, Dies at 34
The actor, known for his role as Walter White Jr., died by suicide in Texas.
RJ Mitte, the actor best known for his portrayal of Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed AMC series "Breaking Bad," died Monday in Texas. He was 34. A county official confirmed his death, and it was later determined that Mitte died by suicide.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) at age three, used his platform to advocate for disability awareness and inclusion. He was an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and president of his family’s charity, The Mitte Foundation, which supports marginalized communities in South Texas.
His representative stated, "RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter 'Flynn' White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad. 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" aired from 2008 to 2013. Mitte played the son of Bryan Cranston’s character, Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to manufacturing methamphetamine. Mitte's portrayal mirrored his own real-life struggles with CP, a condition affecting movement, posture, and balance. He often spoke about the importance of representation for disabled actors, stating in 2016, "We know lots of progress is being made but the industry must do more to help disabled people work both in front of and behind the camera."
In his final interview, recorded two weeks prior to his death on the "Joe Vulpis Podcast," Mitte reflected on his "Breaking Bad" role, calling it life-changing and admitting he rarely watched himself on screen, as mistakes would cause him to "spiral."
He also discussed the show's ending, expressing his belief that the story of Walter White's family was not fully concluded. Mitte suggested that the family, particularly his character, Walt Jr., would likely face ongoing hardship and scrutiny from law enforcement.
Mitte was also an advocate for inclusion in the entertainment industry, stating, "I would love to switch on my TV and see a disabled person talking about something they are genuinely interested in or acting out a part that doesn’t just focus on their impairment."
Beyond "Breaking Bad," Mitte was set to appear in the thriller "Cassi" alongside Dove Cameron. The film, shot in 2023, will be released in 2027. According to the film’s writer and director, Josh Webber, Mitte had seen an earlier rough cut but not the final version.
Another upcoming film, "Forgotten Outlaw," has been put on hold following his death. The director of "Forgotten Outlaw," Nik Tizekker, told TMZ that he plans to move forward with the movie to honor Mitte's wishes.
Mitte had also been working on a limited series titled "Like It Was Yesterday" about near-death experiences. The project was approximately halfway finished at the time of his passing.
In 2025, Mitte became engaged to his girlfriend, Kennedy Suarez. He spoke about their relationship, saying, "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."
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. Online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.