Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte has died at the age of 34. He was found dead at his home in Brownsville, Texas, on 12 October and his representative has since confirmed that he died by suicide.
‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,’ the rep said.
The actor, model and disability rights activist rose to fame playing Walter White’s son, Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr in Breaking Bad and tributes have poured in from his former co-stars, all of whom say they are heartbroken by the news of his death.
RJ Mitte says he has 'finite time' in last interview
The actor’s recent appearance on The Joe Vulpis podcast has resurfaced following the news, where he spoke about living ‘life to the fullest’ and said he has ‘a very finite amount of time’.
‘I would like to try to find some time in the next couple of years to myself,’ he told Vulpis. ‘But you know, I think just keep living the dream, you know? And I tell people, every dream could be a nightmare too. But just keep living it, keep pushing forward.’
What disability did RJ Mitte have?
The actor was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three and dedicated a lot of his life and career to disability rights activism. At the age of 14, he moved to LA and worked with a personal talent manager to find opportunities where he could educate viewers, which is exactly what he did through his role in Breaking Bad, who had severe cerebral palsy, between 2008 and 2013. Mitte later became an Actors Award (formerly Screen Actors Guild) spokesperson for actors with disabilities, a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and founded his own non-profit organisation, the Mitte Foundation.
Was RJ Mitte engaged to Kennedy Suarez?
The actor is survived by his family and his fiancée Kennedy Suarez, who he proposed to last October after five years together. The lawyer remained largely out of the spotlight during her relationship with Mitte. She reportedly celebrated her birthday two days before Mitte's death.
'I’m thrilled to have found my person, my partner in life who makes me want to be better, no matter what we’re doing,' Mitte told People last October. 'Kennedy is my everything and I can’t wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next.'
RJ Mitte's childhood
Although, he had a remarkable career, Mitte’s life was not without immense challenges. His adoptive parents separated when he was a toddler and after his mother became paralysed, he assumed financial responsibility for his family at the age of 13. Mitte remained financially responsible for his mother and younger sister for many years.
‘She was in a car accident,’ he said of his mother’s accident in an interview in 2016. ‘A car ploughed into her at 40mph and ruptured her spine. Afterwards, she couldn’t lift [his sister] Lacey because of the operations she’d had. So I took care of Lacey. There’s a 12-year age gap between us and her dad wasn’t really around, so I guess I was a bit of a father figure to her as well as a brother. I changed her diapers, made up her bottles, fed her, rocked her, bathed her – everything, I did it.’
Tributes from RJ Mitte's co-stars
The tragedy of his death has been felt by the acting community as well as his many fans and admirers around the world. Bryan Cranston, who played his father in Breaking Bad, was one of the first to pay tribute. ‘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. ‘[…] He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities and was the head of a philanthropic organisation with a focus on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential now is such a loss.’
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, also shared a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. ‘I am at a loss,’ he wrote. ‘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.’
Dean White, who also starred in the show added: ‘He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.’ As did the actor Matt Jones who shared a picture of the two of them together on Instagram and wrote, ‘This was the last time I saw you. We stood in the back of a group photo making jokes and talking about ridiculous our lives were. You told me about all the plans you had. […] I’m beyond devastated. You were a little brother to all of us. I’m so sorry.’
Similarly, Lea Thompson, who starred alongside Mitte in Switched at Birth, described him as ‘joyous, professional and kind’. She wrote, ‘I’m so broken hearted to hear of this passing. May his memory be a blessing. Rest in peace RJ, your work inspired so many.’
‘RJ was a very hard worker ever since his childhood from helping his mom,’ filmmaker Michael D Coffey, who worked with Mitte in Triumph, shared. ‘He was always travelling to hospitals, etc to advocate for people with disabilities. RJ will be greatly missed by the many, many lives he touched.’
Nikki Peach is a senior writer at Grazia, working across news, entertainment, features. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).