‘Breaking Bad’ actor RJ Mitte passes away at 34
On October 12th, it was announced that actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, best known for his role as Walt Jr. in the hit TV series “Breaking Bad,” had passed away at the age of 34 in Brownsville, Texas. His passing has left fans, colleagues and loved ones reflecting on a career that far exceeds television and has brought many together to honor Mitte’s memory.
When “Breaking Bad” was in the early stages of being made, show creator Vince Gilligan wrote up a character with cerebral palsy. A neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and posture due to abnormal brain development. When asked about casting, Gilligan said this about Walt Jr.: “Finding someone to play Walter Jr. in ‘Breaking Bad’ was no easy task. The character was written with cerebral palsy, and I felt strongly that the actor should have CP too.
My casting team searched across the U.S. and beyond… and that’s how we found RJ Mitte.” Mitte, having been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at age 3, brought authenticity to a character who lived with the same condition he had, and helped garner awareness of a disability that television often overlooked.
As the series played out, Walt Jr. became an emotional anchor in a fractured family torn apart by crime and deception. His character’s loyalty, love, and vulnerability was the one bright spot in an ensemble of morally bankrupt characters enrolled in a world of crime and chaos. Mitte’s performance established him as a recognizable presence in a series that attracted a global audience. More importantly, it showed that actors with disabilities belong in complex and meaningful roles; not just typecast in stories written to educate general audiences about disabilities.
During “Breaking Bad”’s run, Mitte advocated for disability awareness, inclusion, and opportunities for people with disabilities in the entertainment industry. Mitte used his public platform to encourage and champion an understanding of what people with disabilities can accomplish. He also supported organizations including United Cerebral Palsy and Shriner Children’s. Mitte was also the president of a non-profit corporation, The Mitte Foundation, which focuses on improving the quality of life for central Texans through education and community.
News of Mitte’s death has prompted an outpour of grief and remembrance from those who admired his work and commitment to inclusion. In the days prior to his passing, Mitte’s friends recall him feeling hurt and sad. His loved ones offered any help they could. Dyna Mitte, RJ’s mother said she had tried to take RJ to go see a therapist, but he always declined stating he was fine. RJ Mitte’s life ended far too soon, but his commitment to helping others and advocating for those with disabilities remains as a testament to what all of us should strive for.
Mitte once said, “Be the reason someone feels accepted, not the reason they lose hope.” Mental health struggles can be difficult to recognize from the outside, but it’s important to make an effort and see how someone in your own life is doing, as they may be struggling with their own private battle.