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The cast of Breaking Bad is mourning their co-star RJ Mitte, who died October 12 at age 34. 

Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White character, on all five seasons of the acclaimed AMC drama. 

The actor and disability rights activist was found dead at his home in Brownsville, Texas, according to reports. The cause of death was suicide, his representative told Deadline.

RJ Mitte remembered by ‘Breaking Bad’ co-stars

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Mitte began working on Breaking Bad in 2007, when he was a teenager. He also appeared in the Freeform series Switch at Birth and movies such as Westhampton, Triumph, The Unseen, and Standing Up for Sunny. Just days before his death, he was promoting his latest film, a romantic drama titled Talking to Strangers. 

Several of Mitte’s Breaking Bad costars took to social media media to express their shock and grief over his death, including Cranston, who posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” he wrote. Cranston went on to describe his co-star as “raw” talent who rose to the challenge of working on the prestige drama “head on with great determination.”

“Little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor. He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential now is such a loss,” Cranston continued, adding that he had been texting with Mitte just a few weeks ago and making plans to meet for lunch. “I’ll miss you, son,” he wrote.

“Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ. I am heartbroken,” wrote Dean Norris, who played Walt Jr.’s uncle, DEA agent Hank Schrader. “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.”

Matt Jones, who played Badger, shared a photo of himself and Mitte from January 2025. 

“This was the last time I saw you,” he captioned the Instagram post. “We stood in the back of a group photo making jokes and talking about how ridiculous our lives were. You told me about all the plans you had. I was supposed to visit your new set up in Texas. We were gonna go out that night to visit Quezada’s club. I bailed because I was tired. I’m so sorry. I met you 19 years ago, you were only 15. I’m beyond devastated. You were a little brother to all of us. I’m so so sorry.”

Jesse Pinkman actor Aaron Paul also remembered Mitte in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. 

“I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news,” he said. “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.”

Marlee Matlin, with whom he appeared on Switched at Birth, also paid tribute to Mitte.

“My heart is shattered,” she wrote on Instagram. “There will never be another like RJ Mitte. You’ll always have a place in my heart.”

Mitte used ‘his platform to challenge stereotypes’

Mitte had cerebral palsy, as did his character on Breaking Bad, and was an advocate for actors with disabilities. 

“Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” the actor’s representatives said in a statement shared with the Associated Press, adding that he used “his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation.”

Susan Sellers, the president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy said the organization “is deeply saddened by the passing of RJ Mitte, a talented actor and passionate advocate for people with cerebral palsy.”

Mitte had a “commitment to ensuring that people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities are seen, heard, and afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential,” she told USA Today, describing him “an integral part of our community and mission.”

“His legacy will live on in the lives he inspired and in the ongoing work to build a more inclusive world for people with disabilities,” she said.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.

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