Breaking Bad star RJ Mitty dies at the age of 34

A spokesman for the office of Magistrate Cindy Hinojosa in Brownsville, Texas, reported the death of actor RJ Mitty, best known for his role in the popular Emmy Award-winning television series, “Breaking Bad.” The spokesman stated that the 34-year-old actor died on Monday, and that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Brownsville Police told Ofoq News Network that they received an emergency report around midday on Monday local time, noting that Mete was already dead when the police arrived, and that there is no criminal suspicion at the present time. In a statement issued by his representatives, Mete’s family confirmed his death and praised his charitable efforts. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, in addition to his activity through The Mitte Foundation.

The family also highlighted his use of his media platform to “challenge stereotypes and promote better representation of people with disabilities.” Mitty, who suffered from cerebral palsy, played the son of Walter White (portrayed by Bryan Cranston) throughout the five seasons of the hit series “Breaking Bad,” which aired on the AMC network between 2008 and 2013 and won numerous awards and acclaim.

“I feel deep sorrow,” Cranston said in a statement issued Monday evening, expressing his deep sadness and condolences, and recalling their time working together. Cranston added: “I met him when he was only fourteen years old, when he was chosen to play the role of (Walter White Jr.), a role he played with great joy and enthusiasm.

Although he was born with cerebral palsy, he never allowed this challenge to be an excuse for anything; He faced the grueling filming schedule with great resolve and determination.” He concluded by saying: “I loved him, and enjoyed his company very much throughout the years of working on the series, even after the sparkle of fame that surrounded the series (Breaking Bad) faded...

An Early Start Born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1992, Mitty moved with his family to Hollywood when he was 14 years old to support his sister's career, after she was discovered by an agent when she was a young child in Houston, Texas. Initially, he worked as a supporting actor in series such as "Everybody Hates Chris" and "7th Heaven", and his first IMDb credit was as a "school athlete", without his credit, in the 2007 TV series "Hannah Montana".

His first audition was for a public service announcement for the state of California, specifically a “methamphetamine awareness ad,” which Mitty recalled on The Joe Vulpis Podcast earlier this October, noting the irony of it; His big breakthrough came later through a series revolving around a high school teacher who begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine. In the same interview, Mitty talked about his experience acting in the series “Breaking Bad” during his teenage years, saying: “We didn’t really realize at the time how big an impact the series would have.”

Mete confirmed that acting was not among his original plans, but he found his “passion” in it. Mete also posted a clip of the radio interview on his Instagram account recently, in which he discussed his feeling that the story of his character within the “White” family has not yet completed its chapters.

He said, "I think there are a lot of outstanding questions that may never be answered. I see that there is a big step still waiting for the (White) family," and he also hinted at his desire to present work that surpasses "Breaking Bad" in the future.

He added: "I set a very high ceiling for myself as a young man, a ceiling that is almost impossible to reach. I always tell people: Look, it's a very long way down the mountain."

Working for Fair Representation In 2021, Mitty starred in a film called “Triumph,” which was inspired by the true story of a high school student with cerebral palsy who aspired to join the wrestling team. The actor stated in an interview at the time that he felt a close connection to the story due to his personal experience with this health condition.

“You know, when a person has a disability, there are assumptions that they are weaker or slower or more fragile,” he said at the time. “When I was a child and growing up with cerebral palsy, I was told over and over that I would 'never walk normally' or 'I would never talk normally', and that I would never have a normal life or career.

That was the prevailing view at the time," he added. "But my family said, 'No, he's going to achieve and do important things.'" Mitty told Able magazine that the acting opportunities he was offered were often linked to his disability.

“We want to see ourselves on television and in films that accurately represent us while providing entertaining content at the same time,” he said. The actor also had a recurring role on the TV series "Switched at Birth" and this summer co-starred in the film "Westhampton" alongside actor Finn Wittrock.

Mitty's fellow actors, disability rights activists and other members of the "Breaking Bad" cast offered their condolences on his death. Dean Norris, who played the character of DEA agent Hank Schrader, said that Mitty's death was "heartbreaking," and added in a blog post on his account on the X platform: "Although RJ did not play the role of my son in the series, I always made sure to take care of him and take care of him when he was a young man on set."

He was a wonderful, kind-hearted young man, and we will miss him greatly. AMC also expressed its condolences, noting that Mitty “left an indelible impact on audiences around the world,” and the network added in an Instagram post: “RJ brought an air of authenticity, warmth and humanity to a character that has become an integral part of one of the most lauded and successful television dramas.”