RJ Mitte, the actor best known for playing Walt Jr in the Emmy-winning series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34. His representative confirmed the news on Monday evening, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow actors.
Representative confirms tragic passing
In a statement, Mitte's representative said: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."
Mitte, whose real name was Roy Frank Mitte, was not only an actor but also a producer. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, and was president of his own charitable organisation, the Mitte Foundation, which championed philanthropic causes and worked to confront stereotypes surrounding people with disabilities.
Fans and fellow actors pay tribute
Social media has been flooded with condolences. One fan posted: "RIP RJ. What a legend. Your legacy lives on forever." Another commented, alongside a video of Mitte discussing the possible future of his Breaking Bad character: "Oh my gosh man. RIP. This hits so much harder watching now."
US actor and singer Vincent Martella, best known for voicing the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb, also paid tribute on X. He wrote: "What a kind and wonderful person. Devastating. So young and genuinely nice to everyone he spoke to. This is truly awful. Sending love to his family."
Life with cerebral palsy and advocacy
Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three and revealed he underwent "years of physical, occupational, and speech therapy" from that young age. He spoke openly about the importance of disability being "part of his story" but was adamant it did not "define his story". He was passionate about using his platform as an actor to educate and inform audiences about disability issues.
His character in Breaking Bad, Walt Jr, the son of Bryan Cranston's character, also had cerebral palsy. The series ran from 2008 to 2013 and received 58 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning 16, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.
Recent work and personal life
Prior to his passing, Mitte had been promoting his new film, Talking to Strangers, and had appeared on podcasts just days ago. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Beyond Breaking Bad, Mitte played Mind Master in the Netflix superhero series The Guardians of Justice, and appeared in 2017's The Recall and 2020's The Oak Room. He also secured TV roles in Switched At Birth, Vegas, Now Apocalypse and Chance, and featured in films including Time Share, Dixieland and Westhampton.
In the 2021 drama Triumph, he played a high school senior who, at considerable personal sacrifice, attempts to become a wrestler despite living with cerebral palsy. He also starred opposite Dove Cameron in Love Me Dead and opposite Finn Wittrock in Westhampton.
Mitte was engaged to his long-term partner Kennedy Suarez, with whom he had been since 2018. The cause of death remains unconfirmed, and his family has not yet issued a further statement.
