RJ Mitte's mother, Dyna Mitte, has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late son, marking a month since the Breaking Bad actor took his own life at the age of 34. The star died on 12 October, and his representatives later confirmed that he had taken his own life, prompting an outpouring of devastation from fans worldwide.
This week, Dyna took to Instagram to share her agony over the loss of her son, explaining that she is finding life without him incredibly painful. She posted a photo of herself and RJ posing outdoors with green plants cascading behind them, accompanied by an emotional message reflecting on her love for him and her continuing devastation.
A Mother's Heartbreaking Words
In her post, Dyna wrote: "My beautiful boy, it has been a month since you left us. I miss you so much it hurts." She continued: "There are days that it feels like it happen today, and at times it feels like forever ago. I am trying to navigate through this new life, but it is so painfully difficult. What I would not give to hold you again, see that beautiful smile, laugh at the crazy conversations we had, are just look at you. I love you forever + time."
She concluded: "Please continue to watch over us. With all my love, Mom." The update was met with a wall of support from followers, many commenting on the impact RJ made during his 34 years of life.
Co-Star Tributes and Legacy
Last month, a spokesperson for the actor confirmed his death, issuing a statement that said: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte." His publicist later revealed that he had taken his own life.
Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston shared a tribute in the wake of the news, writing online: "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."
He continued: "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." Noting that RJ had taken his own life, Bryan added: "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."
Advocacy and Career
RJ previously told the Associated Press back in 2014 that his life experiences guided his performance on Breaking Bad. He explained that his disability and the surrounding struggles with physical therapy, family problems and medical bills improved his performance.
He said: "You develop a different mentality and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world. You're able to use that. And I think it's an asset instead of something that would hinder."
A disability rights activist as well as an actor, RJ was president of the nonprofit organization the Mitte Foundation, through which he advocated for greater inclusion for those with disabilities. He also battled to increase recognition of cerebral palsy and other disabilities. The star was a Screen Actors Guild spokesman for actors with disabilities and a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy. He also served as an ambassador for the Shriners Children's in Shreveport, Louisiana, having been treated at the Shriners Hospital as a child.
