RJ Mitte, the actor best known for playing Walter White Jr in the hit series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34. The star, who had cerebral palsy and was a passionate disability advocate, was found dead after police received a call at 12:50pm local time. He was pronounced dead at 1:32pm local time, and a medical examiner will determine the official cause of death following an autopsy. There was no sign of foul play.
Investigation and cause of death
The Brownsville Police Department received the call and found Mitte dead upon arrival. They said: "The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation." According to TMZ and the Guardian, his representatives confirmed that he took his own life.
Mitte's representative said: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."
Career and final interview
Mitte appeared in all five seasons of Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008 to 2013. The show followed high school teacher Walter White, diagnosed with stage-three lung cancer, who began producing and selling methamphetamine to pay for his treatment and leave money for his family.
Just days before his death, Mitte gave his final interview, reflecting on a difficult scene in which Walter makes a final call with his father. He said: "I really think for me one of the most complicated scenes that I've had to do was that final phone call. That's my father, and he killed my uncle. Like he's a murderer.
"And so that realisation for him was something that I really wanted to make sure that I met those criteria. And you know, listening to the directors, listening to Vince [Gilligan], and really Bryan [Cranston] was there that day as well. He was in the room when we did that scene. So really kind of figuring out how to do that scene justice."
Tributes from co-stars
Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White, shared that the pair had been texting weeks before Mitte's death and planned to meet for lunch. He wrote: "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.
"Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never – ever – allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head-on with great determination."
Cranston added: "Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him – but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but still a kid.
"That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but 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."
He continued: "It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I'll miss you, son."
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, said he is 'at a loss' after learning of his friend's death. He told 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."
Fans also shared tributes on Cranston's post. One read: "This is so heartbreaking I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending love to you and RJ's family & friends. Rest in peace." Another read: "Rest in peace RJ, I wish his family privacy and support during these dark times, if anyone you know or yourself, might be struggling with suicidal or harmful thoughts, please reach out to someone." A third read: "We really lost a great human being. An awful tragedy. Rest in peace brother."
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