Actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, who drew on his experience with cerebral palsy to portray a key character in the acclaimed television series “Breaking Bad,” died on Monday at the age of 34, authorities and his representatives said.
Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told The Associated Press that she declared Mitte dead at around 1:30pm at what she believed was his home in Brownsville, Texas. She said the cause of death was not immediately known and that an autopsy would be conducted.
Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s chemistry teacher-turned-methamphetamine dealer Walter White, in nearly every episode of the five-season AMC series. The show was recently ranked the best television series of the 21st century in a New York Times poll.
Cranston expressed profound grief over the actor’s death, describing Mitte as his “sweet son.”
“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 wrote in a Facebook post on Monday night.
“Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never — ever — allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination,” he added.
In an interview with the AP in 2014, Mitte said his experience with disability, including physical therapy, family challenges and high medical expenses, had helped him become a better actor. These issues were also among the themes explored in the series.
“You develop a different mentality and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world,” he said. “You're able to use that. And I think it's an asset instead of something that would hinder.”
Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue an acting career. He initially landed small guest roles on sitcoms before securing his role in “Breaking Bad” in 2007. The series aired from 2008 to 2013.
Cranston recalled that Mitte was relatively inexperienced when filming began but gradually developed into a talented actor.
“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot,” Cranston wrote, “but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor.”
He added, “I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed.”
In a statement announcing his death, Mitte’s representatives said he had brought authenticity to his role while using his public profile to raise awareness about disability and promote inclusion.
They said he had used “his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation.”
Mitte’s subsequent acting credits included the ABC Family series “Switched at Birth” and the superhero satire “Guardians of Justice.” He also worked as a producer on several independent films.
Beyond acting, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He also led his own Mitte Foundation, which supported philanthropic and community initiatives related to disabilities.