RJ Mitte, 'Breaking Bad' Star, Dies by Suicide at 34
The actor, known for his role as Walter White Jr., reflected on his most challenging scenes in a podcast recorded weeks before his death.
RJ Mitte, an actor best known for his role as Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed series "Breaking Bad," died by suicide on Monday in Texas. He was 34 years old.
Mitte's final interview was recorded on October 5 for The Joe Vulpis Podcast, where he discussed his experiences on the hit television show, his character's trajectory, and his personal struggles. The interview took place just two weeks before his death.
In the podcast, Mitte reflected on his portrayal of Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston's character, Walter White. The actor, who himself lived with cerebral palsy, drew from his personal experiences to bring authenticity to the role. He described one of his most complicated scenes as the final phone call Walter Jr. had with his father, a moment he felt he understood better in retrospect. "In reality, I didn't understand it as much as I do now," Mitte said of the scene where his character grapples with the realization that his father is the drug kingpin Heisenberg.
Mitte also shared that he found it difficult to watch himself on screen, as any perceived mistake would cause him to "spiral" and dwell on what could have been done differently. Consequently, he primarily watched only the first episode of each "Breaking Bad" season and the final episode of the series.
When asked about the future of Walter White's family, Mitte expressed a somber outlook, believing they would not be in a good place and would likely not receive Walter White's illicit earnings. He speculated that the family would remain under surveillance by law enforcement following Walter White's criminal activities.
Mitte's audition for "Breaking Bad" was a lengthy process, spanning over six months. He described the role as