RJ Mitte, best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on AMC’s acclaimed crime drama “Breaking Bad,” has died at 34. Mitte’s representatives confirmed Monday, Oct. 12 that the actor died in Brownsville, Texas, but did not disclose his cause of death, TMZ reported that a county official described Mitte’s death as a suicide, though further details surrounding the circumstances have not been publicly established, and an investigation is ongoing.
Representatives for the actor said in a statement reported by Variety: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, best known for his role as Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion. Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities. At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones.”
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte suffered brain damage at birth, and was given up for adoption. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Mitte became widely recognized for playing Walter White’s son across 56 episodes of “Breaking Bad,” which aired from 2008 to 2013. Like his character, Mitte had cerebral palsy, a condition that influenced his work and helped bring greater visibility to disability representation on television. His performance on the Emmy-winning series established him as a prominent figure in the show’s ensemble cast.
Outside acting, Mitte championed disability rights and inclusion in the entertainment industry. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and led the Mitte Foundation, which supported philanthropic initiatives, including efforts to improve quality of life in Texas. His other screen credits included “The Guardians of Justice,” “The Oak Room” and “The Recall,” “The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!),” as well as a recurring role on “Switched at Birth.”
Mitte had continued pursuing acting projects and speaking about his work, including his new movie “Talking to Strangers,” which he was heard promoting on podcasts just days prior to his death. He was also engaged to his longtime partner, Kennedy Suarez, who have been together since 2018.
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