American actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter “Flynn” White Jr. in the acclaimed television drama Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34. His representative confirmed his death on Monday, October 12. Mitte died in Brownsville, Texas, and authorities said the cause and manner of death had not been determined while the investigation remained ongoing.
Mitte lived with cerebral palsy and drew on his personal experience to portray Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s character, Walter White. The series aired on AMC for five seasons from 2008 to 2013. His performance helped raise awareness about disability representation in entertainment, and he received a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014 for his work on the show. Beyond acting, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and led The Mitte Foundation, which supported charitable initiatives and greater inclusion for people with disabilities.
Cranston paid tribute to his on-screen son, describing himself as being in “deep despair” over the loss and remembering Mitte’s growth from a young actor into a talented performer and disability rights advocate. Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, also expressed heartbreak, saying Mitte would be missed. Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank Schrader, remembered him as a “sweetheart of a young man.” Mitte’s other credits included Hannah Montana, Switched at Birth, The Guardians of Justice and Talking to Strangers, one of his latest projects.
