RJ Mitte's Final Interview Reveals Thoughts on 'Breaking Bad' Legacy, Future Projects
The 'Breaking Bad' star, who died at 34, discussed his iconic role, personal struggles, and upcoming work in his last known interview.
RJ Mitte, best known for his role as Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed series "Breaking Bad," died Monday at the age of 34. His death has put his upcoming film, "Forgotten Outlaw," on hold. Director Nik Tizekker told TMZ that the project was in pre-production and will be paused following Mitte's passing. Tizekker intends to move forward with the film to honor the late actor's wishes, with plans to recast Mitte's role.
Mitte's final known interview, conducted two weeks prior to his death on "The Joe Vulpis Podcast," offered a glimpse into his reflections on his career and future aspirations. Podcaster Joe Vulpis expressed shock at the news, describing Mitte as "so positive" and "one of the most kind and genuine people" he had encountered. Vulpis noted that Mitte was making future plans, discussing charitable efforts and new projects, including another film and his project "Talking to Strangers."
During the interview, Mitte revisited his iconic role as Walter White Jr., a character with cerebral palsy, a condition he shared in real life. He admitted to finding it difficult to watch himself on screen, stating that any perceived mistake would cause him to "spiral." He recounted that the most challenging scene he filmed was the character's final phone call with his onscreen father, Walter White, portrayed by Bryan Cranston. Mitte explained the complexity of conveying the character's realization of his father's actions and the impact of the "Heisenberg" persona.
Mitte also speculated on the fate of the White family after the events of "Breaking Bad," suggesting a grim reality rather than a hopeful conclusion for Skyler, Walt Jr., and Holly, given the involvement of law enforcement in a global drug distribution case.
He described his "Breaking Bad" audition process as extensive, lasting over six months, and called the role "truly life-changing." Mitte acknowledged that the show's impact was not fully realized by the cast and crew during its initial run. He also expressed that while he was proud of the show, he aimed to surpass its success in his own career, setting a high bar for himself.
Mitte was a vocal advocate for disability awareness and inclusion in the entertainment industry. He stated that his own disability had been instrumental in his career, allowing him to bring authenticity to his role as Walter White Jr. He called for greater representation of disabled individuals both in front of and behind the camera, emphasizing that this visibility should extend beyond quadrennial events like the Paralympics.
Beyond his acting career, Mitte was involved in philanthropic work. He was engaged to Kennedy Suarez and they were active in supporting charities, including the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of San Diego. Mitte also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, a charity focused on revitalizing marginalized communities in South Texas.
A county official confirmed Mitte's death in 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." The statement further noted that Mitte "brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion" and served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
"Breaking Bad" aired for five seasons from 2008 to 2013, earning widespread critical acclaim. Mitte appeared in 56 episodes of the series and also had roles in "The Recall" and "The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!)." He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three.