Brownsville, Texas – Breaking Bad actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte died on Monday at age 34, authorities and his representatives said. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told The Associated Press she declared Mitte dead at about 1.30 p.m. at what she believed was his home in Brownsville, Texas. She said she was unable to provide a cause, but an autopsy will be performed.
Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer Walter White, on nearly every episode of the five seasons of the AMC show, which recently ranked as the best of the 21st century in a New York Times poll. “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” Mitte’s representatives said in a statement announcing his death.
The statement said he used “his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.” Mitte’s portrayal of Walter White Jr., a teenager navigating the challenges of cerebral palsy while coping with his family’s dramatic transformation, earned him widespread recognition and made him a beloved figure both on screen and within the disability advocacy community. His work extended beyond acting, as he became a sought-after speaker and campaigner for authentic representation of people with disabilities in film and television. His death marks a significant loss to both the entertainment industry and the disability rights movement.
