'Breaking Bad' actor RJ Mitte dies at 34
RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on "Breaking Bad," has died at 34, and his representative said Tuesday that he died by suicide. Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, used his fame to speak up for disability awareness and representation. Former co-stars, including Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, paid tribute.
RJ Mitte, the actor who played Walter "Flynn" White Jr. on "Breaking Bad," has died at 34, the BBC and NPR reported. His representative, Sean Reilly, told NBC News on Tuesday, Oct. 13, that his cause of death was suicide, TODAY reported.
Mitte died Monday in Brownsville, Texas, where he had moved, a local justice of the peace, Cyndi Hinojosa, told NBC News. Page Six reported that a medical examiner will rule on the manner of death after an autopsy, and that a judge said there appeared to be no signs of foul play. Brownsville police said Monday that the official cause and manner of death were still pending, KRGV reported.
Mitte had cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition diagnosed when he was about 3 years old, TODAY reported. He drew on that experience to play Walt Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston's chemistry teacher turned drug maker. Mitte later served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, and he started the Mitte Foundation, his representative said.
Cranston wrote that he was in "deep despair," the BBC reported. He recalled that Mitte was only 14 when he was cast, and praised his advocacy, saying he never allowed cerebral palsy to "be an excuse for anything." Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, said he was heartbroken. "Please know you are loved, and you are not alone," Paul said, according to the BBC.
After the show ended, Mitte campaigned for more varied and complex depictions of characters with disabilities, both visible and invisible. His other credits include "Switched at Birth" and "Talking to Strangers," which came out this year.
What we know: Mitte died Monday at 34 in Brownsville, and his representative says he died by suicide.
What we don't: The official findings, which await an autopsy.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the U.S.
Where outlets agree The BBC and NPR both report that RJ Mitte, who played Walter White's son on "Breaking Bad," has died at 34.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.