RJ Mitte's Financial Struggles on 'Breaking Bad' Revealed Ahead of His Death
The actor, known for his role as Walter White Jr., shared that he paid more in taxes than he earned from the hit series.
RJ Mitte, who gained fame for his portrayal of Walter White Jr. in "Breaking Bad," disclosed in a resurfaced interview that he earned less from the critically acclaimed series than he paid in taxes. Mitte died on Monday at the age of 34 in Brownsville, Texas.
Mitte, who famously played the son of Bryan Cranston's character Walter White, appeared in 56 episodes of the show. In an interview on "The Iced Coffee Hour" podcast, filmed less than a year before his death, he revealed that the financial returns from "Breaking Bad" were not as substantial as many might assume. He stated, "I was paying more in taxes than I got from Breaking Bad."
The actor explained that he did not receive any residual payments because the show achieved significant popularity through streaming platforms after its initial run concluded in 2013. Mitte, who openly advocated for disability rights and lived with cerebral palsy, had a Coogan Account, a trust mandated to protect minors' earnings in entertainment, requiring 15% of a minor's income to be set aside until they reach the age of majority.
He further elaborated that there were times he was "paying to keep my career going," with all earnings reinvested into the industry. When questioned about whether he profited from his role or had any surplus income after expenses, Mitte indicated otherwise.
Mitte acknowledged that the cast and crew knew they were working on something special, praising the writing of the pilot episode. However, he characterized his initial pay as "minimum," noting it was his first speaking role. He described "Breaking Bad" as "not, like, very lucrative as far as like across the board" during its original broadcast. The cast was reportedly informed of potential cancellations each season until the show gained traction on streaming services. "You know that was our big moment, when streaming came in and people binge-viewed Breaking Bad," Mitte said.
He refuted online rumors suggesting he was worth millions, stating, "I think it's what I've earned in my entire life." Mitte also attributed some financial difficulties to having a "bad business manager."
Representatives for Mitte confirmed his death on Monday, issuing a statement that read, "It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte." The statement highlighted his role as Walter "Flynn" White Jr. and his dedication to disability awareness and inclusion, noting his work as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's.