RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walt Jr in Breaking Bad, once claimed he paid more in taxes than he earned from the show, alleging that a financial manager left him in debt for a decade. The actor died at the age of 34 on Monday, October 12. His publicist confirmed he had taken his own life.
Speaking to the BBC, his representative said: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte."
Financial struggles and a 'bad' manager
In November 2024, RJ admitted he had "paid more in taxes than I got from Breaking Bad". He blamed some of his financial misfortune on having a "bad" financial manager, whom he alleged was targeting people with disabilities and the elderly.
Asked whether the show made him a millionaire, RJ told The Iced Coffee Hour podcast: "I've paid more in taxes than I got from Breaking Bad. It's just the name of the game with it. Like, you know, young kid."
He explained that he had a large team at one point and was travelling the world, adding: "I was paying to keep my career going... everything went back into the business." He also said he "got royally hammered" in the last four years of his highest earning series.
Allegations of siphoning funds
Initially, RJ and his family managed his finances, but under pressure to hire a "proper accountant", he eventually sought a manager. He claimed he subsequently "got eaten". Asked whether the individual invested his money poorly or siphoned funds, RJ said the person was "still out there" so he couldn't "go into details", but shared an overview of their alleged actions.
"I can't go into details because this person - I don't know - is still out there, but I know she got 14 other actors. I was like one of this big group that she was targeting," he said. "Primarily people with disabilities, elderly, like older actors in the industry and worked at the sheriff's department where she had her office at."
He claimed she was "siphoning funds", saying: "I would write a cheque and, like, to go pay my taxes. And instead of her using it to pay my taxes, she would send me a fake filing of taxes and take that money." He added: "It's my negligence... the IRS doesn't really care about you."
A decade to pay off
Asked whether she was in prison, RJ said she was still "around" and claimed the practice was "very common". He added: "It only took me 10 years to pay it off. It was a rough thing, but, like, you know, it was a lesson learned."
RJ, who had cerebral palsy and was a strong advocate for performers with disabilities, described his misfortune as both a "blessing and a curse", saying it provided knowledge "like no one had." Bryan Cranston, who played his on-screen father, said RJ didn't allow his cerebral palsy to "be an excuse for anything".
For emotional support, the Samaritans 24-hour helpline is available on 116 123, or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.
