Breaking Bad supporting cast member Dean Norris and Emmy winner Anna Gunn spoke about the death of their former co-star R.J. Mitte, who died by suicide at age 34 this week.
Mitte died Monday in Brownsville, Texas. His rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died by suicide. Mitte was best known for playing Walter “Flynn” White Jr. on Breaking Bad.
Norris, who played Hank Schrader on the AMC drama, spoke with TalkShopLive during a previously scheduled livestream held after news of Mitte’s death broke. He was appearing on the show to promote signed copies of his upcoming book, Do What You’re Gonna Do: The Definitive Oral History of Breaking Bad, which will be released Nov. 17.
“We’ve had some tragedy in the Breaking Bad family,” Norris said. “It’s unimaginable, it’s unbelievable. It’s heartbreak. Rest in peace, R.J. Sweet, sweet boy, I’m going to miss you a lot. Thank you for the prayers, we appreciate it. Feeling a little blue. Our dear boy, R.J.”
Later in the interview, Norris spoke again about Mitte, who had cerebral palsy, and encouraged anyone experiencing suicidal ideation to seek help.
“It’s such a tragedy with R.J. We’re all just shocked and in deep despair,” he said. “I loved that kid and am going to miss him. Life goes on. Please, please, if you need help, or if you know anybody who needs help, talk to somebody. There are suicide hotlines. There are all kinds of things. So please, please, please know that you can talk to somebody, okay?”
While discussing the series, which concluded in 2013 after a five-season run but has built a massive fan following, Norris said he still speaks with co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, who he said will be at Comic-Con. At the mini-reunion, he said, “We will get to hug each other over this great tragedy that happened.”
Norris also told viewers when he last saw Mitte.
“It was literally about three weeks ago. At a fan expo, at a convention signing. Who knew that would be the last time that I would see him,” he said. “So, yes, tragedy has hit us and we’re all just trying to get through it. Rest in peace, R.J.”
Asked by a viewer how he was doing, Norris said: “I’m a little sad right now, a lot of sad right now, that’s how I’m doing. But keep putting one foot in front of the other.” He added that the loss of Mitte “will forever change the dynamic of our cast.”
“With R.J. passing, I just feel it on texts and emails with everybody,” Norris said. “It will forever change our thing. Rest in peace, R.J. And we’re sorry.”
Norris said he is set to appear on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune this week, and plans to donate to a charity that deals with suicide and will “devote my book tour to R.J., because it’s just such a tragedy. Don’t want to bring everybody down.”
“Rest in peace, R.J. And I wish you nothing but peace and good vibes for all of you out there,” he concluded. “Cherish the ones you love, and you never know if it’s the last time you’re gonna see them.”
Gunn, who played Mitte’s on-screen mother, Skyler White, released a statement Wednesday about Mitte’s death. “I’ll never forget meeting R.J. when he was only 14 years old,” the actor said. “I was immediately struck by the depth and complexity of someone so young. He was gentle and bold, exceedingly kind and wickedly funny, a bit rebellious (like any teenager) yet eager to learn and hone his craft. Above all, he was doggedly determined that his disability would not impede him, but would instead give him the opportunity to enlighten and educate others through his nakedly truthful portrayal of Walt ‘Flynn’ Jr.”
“How lucky we were that R.J. came into the Breaking Bad family and lit up our lives. How lucky I was to play his TV mom, to watch him evolve and expand as an actor and human being as the seasons went by, and for all the years after as he continued to serve his community with tireless advocacy and philanthropic work. I was so proud of him; we all were,” Gunn added.
“There truly are no words to express the heartbreak of a loss this profound, the loss of a beautiful young man who had such an impact upon this world, with still so much ahead of him,” she continued. “What I choose to remember and cherish today are the quiet, personal moments I shared with my beloved TV son. Moments of mutual support and understanding, of belly-aching laughter and silliness, of care and deep love. You live in my heart forever, my dearest R.J.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 in the U.S.