Breaking Bad Actor RJ Mitte Dies at 34 in Texas

Actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. on the AMC series Breaking Bad, died on Monday at his home in Brownsville, Texas. He was 34.

His representatives confirmed the death. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa pronounced him dead at about 1:32 p.m. local time. Brownsville police said they responded to a call around 12:50 p.m. and found no immediate signs of foul play. An autopsy is planned. Later reports from his representatives indicated the death was by suicide.

Mitte was born Roy Frank Mitte III on 21 August 1992 in Jackson, Mississippi. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three and used his own experience for the role of Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s character. He appeared in all five seasons of the series, which aired from 2008 to 2013, and received a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast.

Beyond acting, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He founded The Mitte Foundation to support philanthropic work and greater representation of people with disabilities. His representatives said he used his platform to challenge stereotypes.

Co-stars paid tribute. Bryan Cranston wrote that he met Mitte when the actor was 14 and that Mitte never treated his cerebral palsy as an excuse. Aaron Paul said he was heartbroken and reminded readers that they are loved and not alone. Dean Norris recalled looking out for the younger actor on set.

Mitte had been promoting a new film, Talking to Strangers, in the days before his death. He had also appeared in other projects including The Guardians of Justice. Police and officials said the investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States can be reached at 988.