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, 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
Soon, the social media was abuzz with posts mourning RJ Mitte’s demise. Taking to social meida, RJ Mitte’s Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston shared a pic with the late actor and 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. 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. 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”.