The news of the passing of RJ Mitte, the actor who became famous for portraying Walter White Jr. in the cult series Breaking Bad, deeply affected audiences and colleagues who had shared a significant portion of their professional journey with him. The actor died at the age of 34 and, after initial reports of his death, his spokesperson confirmed that it was a suicide. Among the most touching condolences was a message from Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White in Breaking Bad, the father of Mitte’s screen character. The actor shared on Instagram a long and moving remembrance of his young colleague.
RJ Mitte, the cause of the Breaking Bad actor’s death
The cause of death was confirmed by RJ Mitte’s spokesperson, the same one who had previously announced the actor’s passing through a sorrow-filled statement. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were initially under investigation: according to People, Brownsville police had received a call at 12:50 local time and found the actor dead in his home. In an initial communication, authorities specified that the cause and manner of death were still being determined as part of an ongoing inquiry. In the statement released to announce his passing, Mitte’s representative recalled not only the actor’s talent, but also his civic commitment: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic passing of the beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, RJ Mitte. Drawing on his own life experience with cerebral palsy, Mitte gave authenticity to his role and built a platform dedicated to raising awareness about disability and inclusion.”
After the success of Breaking Bad, Mitte continued to champion the rights of people with disabilities and to work in television and film, taking part in productions such as Switched at Birth, Robot Chicken, This Close, Now Apocalypse and others. At the time of his death, the actor had several projects in development or production and was promoting his new film, Talking to Strangers.
Bryan Cranston remembers RJ Mitte: “It’s devastating to learn that he took his own life”
The loss of RJ Mitte left Bryan Cranston in a state of deep grief. The actor who portrayed Walter White entrusted a long tribute to Instagram, describing the colleague he had always regarded as far more than just a TV son. In his post, Cranston recalled the first meeting with Mitte, when the young actor had just turned 14, and the artistic and personal growth he had witnessed during the filming. Here is the full English translation of his message:
“I met him when he was just 14 years old and had been chosen to portray Walter White Jr., a role he played with such joy and enthusiasm. Born with cerebral palsy, he never, ever allowed this difficulty to become an excuse not to do something. He faced the demanding pace of filming with great determination. He always listened to the guidance his television parents, Anna Gunn and I, gave him, even though, as a teenager, he sometimes mischievously disobeyed our suggestions to learn for himself. When we started filming the pilot episode of Breaking Bad, in February 2007, he was still quite new, but gradually we watched him grow into a genuinely skilled actor. He managed to transform the experience of being on the show into an opportunity to become a staunch advocate for actors with disabilities, and he led a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping the disability community. All of these promises and this potential now represent a huge loss. It is especially devastating to know that he took his own life. Why? We were exchanging messages just a few weeks ago, trying to figure out when we could meet for lunch together. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I know that I cared for him and that I deeply enjoyed spending time with him during the years of the series and even after the Spotlight on Breaking Bad had faded. I will miss you, son.”
The message from Bryan Cranston to those going through a difficult moment
Cranston’s tribute did not end with the personal remembrance of his colleague. The actor also wanted to reach out to anyone who might be facing suicidal thoughts, urging them to seek help and not to endure a moment of suffering alone: “I can’t end this here without a plea to anyone contemplating suicide: please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to receive the support you need. There is hope.”
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