Actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. in the hit TV series Breaking Bad, has died at 34. The actor, who lived with cerebral palsy, became an important voice and broke stigma about the neurological disorder throughout his life.
RJ Mitte died on Monday in Brownsville, Texas, his representatives confirmed.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” Mitte’s representatives said in a statement. “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
His cause of death was not immediately disclosed in the initial announcement. Born on August 21, 1992, in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte rose to fame playing the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White and Anna Gunn’s Skyler White in the acclaimed AMC drama Breaking Bad. The show ran for five seasons, from 2008 to 2013.
Mitte’s character, Walter Jr., was an important part of the story and, just like Walter, he had cerebral palsy. His performance helped raise awareness of the condition and challenged stereotypes about people with disabilities.
Appearing on the Joe Vulpis Podcast , RJ Mitte shared his own experience working as an actor with cerebral palsy, and what it gave him.
“That’s really the greatest thing that Breaking Bad has given me, is to be able to lend my voice to causes that make a meaningful impact that changes people’s lives,” he said.
RJ Mitte, ‘Breaking Bad’ star, dies at 34
RJ Mitte might have been an actor, but his work extended far beyond being in front of the camera on screen. The actor was a passionate advocate for disability rights and representation in Hollywood. For example, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
He was also president of the Mitte Foundation, which supported charitable causes and inclusion.
Following his success on Breaking Bad, Mitte continued to work in television and film. His credits included Switched at Birth and The Guardians of Justice, among other projects.
At the time of his death, he was also promoting his new film, Talking to Strangers, and had several projects in development. RJ Mitte is survived by his fiance, Kennedy Suarez, whom he got engaged with last year.
Rest in peace, RJ Mitte. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.
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