Bryan Cranston in ‘deep despair’ over ‘Breaking Bad’ son RJ Mitte’s death by suicide: ‘WHY?’

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Bryan Cranston is mourning the loss of his Breaking Bad co-star and onscreen son, RJ Mitte.

The Emmy winner took to social media to remember the actor and disability rights activist.

Mitte, who died on Monday, played Walter “Flynn” White Jr. to Cranston’s Walter White on all five seasons of the Emmy-winning series.

A spokesperson for Mitte confirmed that he died by suicide in Texas earlier in the day.

Cranston began his tribute on Monday by expressing that he is “in deep despair” after learning that his “sweet son on Breaking Bad” had passed away.

“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,” the actor wrote. “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.”

Cranston noted how he both heeded and ignored the advice “his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him – but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way.”

The Malcolm in the Middle star went on to praise Mitte’s activism, and how he become “a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities,” even heading up a philanthropic organization that focused on the disabled community.

“All that promise and potential now is such a loss,” Cranston wrote. “It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why?”

The actor revealed that the two men had been talking a few weeks ago about meeting up.

“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future,” Cranston wrote. “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.”

He concluded by writing: “I’ll miss you, son.”

Cranston’s tribute also urged “anyone who is contemplating suicide” to contact 9-8-8, the Suicide and Crisis Helpline.

“There is hope,” he added.

Tributes from other Breaking Bad actors

Cranston’s emotional post followed messages of grief from fellow Breaking Bad stars.

Norris, who played Walt Jr.’s uncle, Hank Schrader, called Mitte’s death “heartbreaking.”

“Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set,” he noted. “He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed.”

Matt Jones, who played Badger on the show, shared a photo of him and Mitte from January 2025, the last time they saw each other.

“You told me about all the plans you had. I was supposed to visit your new set up in Texas. We were gonna go out that night to visit Quezada’s club,” Jones recounted in an Instagram post.

“I bailed because I was tired. I’m so sorry. I met you 19 years ago, you were only 15,” he continued. “I’m beyond devastated. You were a little brother to all of us. I’m so so sorry.”

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in the series, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter that he was “heartbroken” and “at a loss” after hearing of Mitte’s death.

“You will be missed,” Paul said. “And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”

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