RJ Mitte, the actor who played Walter White Jr. on “Breaking Bad,” has died at 34, according to statements from his representatives reported by Variety, Deadline, E! News and USA Today. No cause of death has been given.
Editorial cartoon of RJ Mitte. An illustration, not a photograph.
What his representatives said
Mitte’s representatives confirmed the news on Monday, Oct. 12, and told Deadline he died in Brownsville, Texas. In a statement they called him a “beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate.” They added: “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.” The representatives asked for privacy for his family and close ones.
Career and advocacy
Mitte played the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White on the AMC drama from 2008 to 2013. Like his character, he lived with cerebral palsy, which USA Today says was diagnosed when he was 3. His role brought wider attention to the condition, and he spoke publicly about disability representation in Hollywood.
He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and was president of the Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. His later credits include “The Oak Room,” “The Recall” and the Netflix series “The Guardians of Justice.” Variety reports he had been promoting a new film, “Talking to Strangers,” in recent days.
In a 2014 event for UNC Best Buddies, he said: “Having a disability, it’s not a disability. It’s knowledge that you can take into the world. It’s something you can learn and grow from.”
Variety and E! report that Mitte was engaged to his partner, Kennedy Suarez. USA Today says the story is still developing, and we will update this report if his family or representatives share more.
Sources: Variety, Deadline, E! News, USA Today. The images are editorial cartoons, not photographs.
