US actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr, the son of drug kingpin Walter White in the television drama Breaking Bad, has died aged 34.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his representative told the BBC.
Mitte died in Brownsville, Texas. No immediate cause of death was provided.
The actor, who lived with cerebral palsy, drew on his personal experience to portray Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr in the Emmy-winning series, which starred Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014 for his work on the show.
“Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” his representative, Sean Reilly, said in a statement to the BBC.
Mitte also served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
He established The Mitte Foundation to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. Through his platform, he sought “to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities”, Reilly said.
The Brownsville Police Department confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to the BBC. It said the cause and manner of death had not been determined and that the investigation remained ongoing. Police said foul play was not suspected.
Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told the Associated Press that Mitte was declared dead on 12 October at what was believed to be his home. She added that a post-mortem examination would be carried out.
Breaking Bad aired on US cable broadcaster AMC for five seasons between 2008 and 2013.
Cranston paid tribute to his on-screen son on Instagram, saying he was in “deep despair” following news of Mitte’s death.
The crime drama, created by Vince Gilligan, received 58 Primetime Emmy nominations and won 16 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014.
Cranston played Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher in New Mexico who turns to crime to support his family after receiving a cancer diagnosis. As Walter becomes increasingly involved in the methamphetamine trade, his relationship with his son, Walt Jr, deteriorates. The younger White frequently expresses his displeasure with his father’s behaviour through humour.
“I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm,” Cranston said.
“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor.”
Cranston also praised Mitte’s advocacy for performers with disabilities, noting that he never allowed his cerebral palsy to “be an excuse for anything”.
“All that promise and potential now is such a loss,” Cranston wrote, adding that he “thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed”.
“I’ll miss you, son,” he said.
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, one of the show’s leading characters, said he was heartbroken by Mitte’s death in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
“RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed,” he said. “And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Dean Norris, who played Mitte’s uncle, Hank Schrader, also paid tribute to the actor.
“RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set,” Norris wrote.
“He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed,” he added.
Mitte grew up in Louisiana and was in his early teens when he auditioned for his breakthrough role. He moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to support his younger sister’s acting career.
He previously revealed that his first audition in Los Angeles was for a California state public service announcement promoting an anti-methamphetamine campaign.
“Fast forward to auditioning for Breaking Bad, which is still, in my opinion, an anti-meth thing because it doesn’t end well for anyone,” he said on the Joe Vulpis Podcast earlier this month.
Mitte’s character was based on a late friend of Gilligan who had a more severe form of cerebral palsy and used forearm crutches, which the actor did not require.
His portrayal was widely recognised for its authenticity and accessibility. The character used humour to navigate his teenage years, while his disability was rarely discussed in the series.
Following his rise to fame, Mitte campaigned for more varied roles and more complex portrayals of people with disabilities, including conditions that are not immediately visible.
“Whenever awards season rolls around, we always hope to see a diverse group of projects that reflect all of us, in body and mind,” he told the BBC in 2021.
“Watching the awareness grow around disability representation has been great to see, but breakthroughs sometimes come in pieces and moments instead of larger change,” he said.
Mitte’s other screen credits include Hannah Montana, Switched at Birth and Westhampton. His latest project, Talking to Strangers, was released earlier this year.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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