Bryan Cranston said he is in ‘deep despair’ following the death of his on-screen son and Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte.
TMZ reported that the actor died by suicide in Texas on Monday, October 12, with police launching an investigation.
‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,’ his reps said.
Mitte rose to fame in his role as Walter White Jr in the Emmy-winning series, and used his platform to advocate for disability rights from his experience of living with cerebral palsy.
In an emotional Instagram post, Cranston said the pair had exchanged text messages in recent weeks and tried to arrange a catch-up.
He 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.’
He added: ‘Always listening to the advice that 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… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but still a kid.’
Mitte, real name Roy Frank Mitte III, was an actor and producer who started his career in entertainment playing minor roles in sitcoms such as Everybody Hates Chris and Hannah Montana.
He made a name for himself in 2008 after landing a lead role in hit crime series Breaking Bad, starring as the son of mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher Walter White, who transforms into a ruthless drug kingpin.
Mitte first appeared in the series aged 15 and had a recurring role until its conclusion in 2013, featuring alongside Hollywood stars such as Cranston and Aaron Paul, as well as Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk and Dean Norris.
Norris, who played Mitte’s uncle and DEA agent Hank Schrader on Breaking Bad, described the actor as a kind of son to him in a tribute on his social media.
‘Oh my God! Was working (and) just found out about RJ. I am heartbroken,’ Norris wrote.
‘Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking; I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.’
Paul, who played drug user turned drug dealer Jesse Pinkman, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: ‘I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you, my friend. You will be missed. 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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