Just weeks ago, Bryan Cranston and RJ Mitte had been texting back and forth, trying to find time to grab lunch together. That lunch never happened.
Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte passed away this past Monday (October 12) at the age of 34. In a statement, his manager described him as "an actor, a philanthropist, and a tireless advocate for disability rights," noting that he "brought authenticity to the role by drawing from his own lived experience with cerebral palsy, and used that platform to champion disability awareness and inclusion." According to The Guardian, Mitte's publicist confirmed that he died by suicide.
Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three. He made his screen debut at 15 as Walter Jr., the son of protagonist Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston), and went on to appear in 56 episodes of Breaking Bad. He later became a spokesperson for disabled performers with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and served as a goodwill ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy. He also founded the nonprofit Mitte Foundation, dedicated to "challenging stereotypes and promoting the visibility of the disability community in society," according to the BBC. Beyond Breaking Bad, he appeared in projects including Switched At Birth, The Guardians of Justice, Who's Driving Doug, and Time Share, and served as an executive producer on Triumph.
In a tribute posted on Instagram, Bryan Cranston looked back on the pilot shoot in February 2007, remembering "a young man still green around the edges." He wrote: "Little by little, we watched him grow into a truly remarkable actor. He turned his experience on the show into a voice for performers with disabilities, and ran a charity dedicated to helping the disability community." He continued: "All that promise, all that potential — now it's such a huge loss. Learning that he chose to leave on his own terms makes it hit even harder. Why? We'd just been texting a few weeks ago, trying to figure out when we could grab lunch... I don't know if that lunch would have changed anything. But I know I loved him, and I'll always cherish the years we spent together on set, and the years after Breaking Bad's spotlight faded too. I'll miss you, kid."
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, also left a tribute: "RJ, I love you, friend. You'll be missed by so many." He added, speaking to anyone reading his words: "Please remember, you are loved, you are not alone, and never forget that." Dean Norris, who played Mitte's on-screen uncle Hank Schrader, wrote: "He was such a sweet young man and will be deeply missed by so many. This is truly heartbreaking, I can't believe it. Thinking of him and his family right now." Daniel Moncada, who played one of the twin assassins in the series, also posted: "Rest easy, RJ, I love you, I'll miss you, little brother."
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please don't go through it alone — seek professional counseling or contact a suicide prevention hotline in your area.
