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Actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, who brought a lifetime of experience with cerebral palsy to fictional family struggles in an essential role on Breaking Bad, died Monday at age 34, authorities and his representatives said.
Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told The Associated Press that 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.
Diagnosed at age three, Mitte told The Associated Press in 2014 that his disability and the surrounding struggles with physical therapy, family problems and exorbitant medical bills — all key subjects on the show — made him better at his job.
WATCH | Mitte talks disability, bullying and Breaking Bad at 2014 Ottawa event:
Breaking Bad star gives anti-bullying speech
RJ Mitte, known as Walt Jr. of Breaking Bad, was in Ottawa to speak out against bullying.
“You develop a different mentality and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world,” he said. “You’re able to use that. And I think it’s an asset instead of something that would hinder.”
Mitte was born and raised in Jackson, Miss.
He landed small guest roles on sitcoms after moving to Los Angeles to act in 2006. Like his character, he was in his mid-teens when he began his work on Breaking Bad, starting in 2007. The show ran from 2008 to 2013.
“Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” the actor’s representatives said in a statement announcing his death. The statement said he used “his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation.”
On Instagram, co-star Cranston eulogized Mitte as a “really fine actor” who brought “such joy and enthusiasm” to the role.
“I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed,” Cranston wrote, adding he was texting with Mitte a few weeks ago to set up a meeting for lunch.
“I’ll miss you, son.”
Mitte’s later credits included the ABC Family series Switched at Birth and the superhero satire series Guardians of Justice.
He was also a producer of several independent films.
As an advocate, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He was also president of his own Mitte Foundation supporting philanthropic and community initiatives around disabilities.