RJ Mitte, the actor best known for playing Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, died Monday in Brownsville, Texas, at the age of 34. His last interview took place just days before his death.
According to People, the Brownsville Police Department responded to a call at 12:50 p.m. local time and found actor RJ Mitte dead at his home. His representatives confirmed his death on Monday, October 12, in a statement.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” the statement reads.
“Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
It was later confirmed in a statement to People that he took his own life.
“At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones,” the representative’s statement read, per Variety.
A medical examiner is expected to determine the official cause and manner of death following an autopsy. The judge said there appeared to be no signs of foul play.
“The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation,” the Brownsville Police Department told People.
RJ Mitten has died at 34
In his last interview, recorded shortly before his death, RJ reflected on a particularly challenging moment from his years working on Breaking Bad.
The drama centered on Walter White, a teacher whose life takes a dramatic turn after he learns he has stage-three lung cancer. Desperate to secure his family’s financial future before his death, Walter enters the world of illegal drug manufacturing.
RJ portrayed Walter’s son, whose relationship with his father becomes increasingly complicated as the story unfolds. He said: “It’s the last time he talks to him. In reality, I didn’t understand it as much as I do now. But I still had a lot of pressure and felt a lot of pressure in trying to make sure that was right,” according to Mirror.
Estimates of RJ’s personal wealth circulated for years, with some reports putting his net worth somewhere between $3 million and $5 million. But the actor himself once offered a different perspective, saying: “I think it’s what I’ve earned in my entire life.”
His role in Breaking Bad, however, proved financially significant, with his earnings from the series helping him become the primary provider for his family.
Read more:
