Actor RJ Mitte, best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on the acclaimed television series "Breaking Bad," died Monday in Texas at the age of 34, entertainment website TMZ reported. A county official confirmed his death to the outlet, which reported that he died by suicide. Law enforcement officials said an investigation into the circumstances of his death remains ongoing.
"It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte," his representatives said in a statement, asking that his family's privacy be respected during this difficult time.
Mitte, whose full name was Roy Frank Mitte III, was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and spent part of his childhood in Austin, Texas, and Lafayette, Louisiana. He moved to Los Angeles with his family as a teenager and began pursuing acting, initially landing small television roles and working as a background actor.
His breakthrough came in 2008, when he was cast as Walter "Flynn" White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston's character in AMC's "Breaking Bad."
Mitte, who had cerebral palsy, brought his personal experience with the condition to the role, as his character also lived with cerebral palsy. Beyond his acting career, he became a prominent advocate for disability awareness, equal opportunities and greater inclusion of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry.
In Breaking Bad
(Photo: AMC)
"Breaking Bad," which aired from 2008 to 2013, received 58 Emmy nominations and won 16 awards, including two for Outstanding Drama Series. In 2014, Mitte shared in the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Following his breakthrough, Mitte appeared in several television series, including "Switched at Birth," "Now Apocalypse" and "The Guardians of Justice."
His film credits included the 2021 drama "Triumph," in which he portrayed a high school student with cerebral palsy determined to become a wrestler, as well as "Love Me Dead" (2024) and "Westhampton" (2025). According to IMDb, his final screen role was in the independent film "Talking to Strangers."
Outside Hollywood, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, using his public profile to promote disability rights and greater representation. He was also president of the Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic and community initiatives.