*Content warning: This article contains references to suicide* The cast of Breaking Bad have paid tribute following the tragic death of their co-star RJ Mitte, with Bryan Cranston saying he’s in “deep despair”. RJ Mitte, who played Walter “Flynn” White Jr in Breaking Bad, died aged 34 on Monday, October 12, at his home in Brownsville, Texas. His representative said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte. At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones.” Although his representatives did not disclose a cause of death in their initial announcement, Reuters later reported that Mitte’s publicist had confirmed he died by suicide. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told the Associated Press that the actor was pronounced dead at around 1.30pm local time and said an autopsy will be carried out. Mitte lived with cerebral palsy, as did his Breaking Bad character, and was a prominent advocate for disability rights. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and was president of the Mitte Foundation. Breaking Bad stars are ‘heartbroken’ over the death of RJ Mitte Mitte’s Breaking Bad co-stars are sharing tributes for the late actor, with Walter White star Bryan Cranston, who played his on-screen father, sharing a lengthy post on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bryan Cranston (@bryancranston) “I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. 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. He praised Mitte’s determination while filming with cerebral palsy and his subsequent disability advocacy, before revealing they had been texting just weeks earlier about meeting for lunch. Describing the news that Mitte had taken his own life as “especially devastating”, Cranston questioned whether their planned meetup might have made a difference, adding: “I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future.” He ended his tribute by writing, “I’ll miss you, son,” before urging anyone contemplating suicide to “please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dean Norris (@deanjnorris) Hank Schrader actor Dean Norris also responded to the news on Instagram, writing, “I am heartbroken. Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.” Jesse Pinkman star Aaron Paul also shared the following statement with The Hollywood Reporter, “I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.” Featured image credit: Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock/AMC Post navigation Next story
