Breaking Bad Actor RJ Mitte Dies at 34

RJ Mitte, the actor and disability rights advocate best known for playing Walter White Jr. on the television series "Breaking Bad," has died at age 34, authorities and his representatives said Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa said she declared Mitte dead at approximately 1:30 p.m. at what she believed was his home in Brownsville, Texas. The cause of death was not immediately known, and an autopsy was planned.

Mitte portrayed the son of Bryan Cranston's character, Walter White, a chemistry teacher who becomes a methamphetamine dealer, throughout nearly all five seasons of the AMC drama. The series aired from 2008 to 2013 and became one of television's most acclaimed productions.

Mitte was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that shaped his life and informed his performance on the show. He also used his public profile to advocate for disability awareness, inclusion and greater representation in entertainment.

Cranston, who played Mitte's father on screen, expressed profound grief over the actor's death in a Facebook post Monday night.

"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," Cranston said.

Cranston recalled watching Mitte develop as an actor during production of the series. He said Mitte had been inexperienced when filming began but steadily improved over time.

"That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor," Cranston said.

Reflecting on their relationship beyond the show's production, Cranston added:

"I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed," Cranston said.

Mitte discussed how his disability had influenced his acting in a 2014 interview with The Associated Press. He said experiences involving physical therapy, family difficulties and substantial medical expenses, themes also explored in the television drama, gave him a different perspective on his work.

"You develop a different mentality and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world," Mitte told The Associated Press in 2014.

He continued by explaining how that perspective could benefit his acting.

"You're able to use that. And I think it's an asset instead of something that would hinder," Mitte said.

Mitte was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After moving to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue acting, he secured small guest roles on sitcoms before landing the role of Walter White Jr. in 2007.

His subsequent television credits included the ABC Family series "Switched at Birth" and the superhero satire "Guardians of Justice." He also worked as a producer on several independent films.

In a statement announcing his death, Mitte's representatives highlighted his contributions to disability advocacy, saying he "brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."

The representatives also described how he used his public profile to challenge stereotypes and encourage broader representation of people with disabilities.

Beyond acting, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's. He also led the Mitte Foundation, which supported philanthropic and community initiatives related to disabilities.