Bryan Cranston Mourns Breaking Bad Co Star RJ Mitte

A planned lunch that never took place has become a painful reminder of a friendship for Bryan Cranston, who paid tribute to his former Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte after the actor died at 34. Cranston shared the tribute on Instagram following Mitte's death on Monday, October 12, reflecting on their continued connection after the AMC drama ended.

Cranston, 70, played Walter White, the father of Mitte's character, Walter White Jr., throughout the acclaimed television series. In his post, he recalled watching Mitte develop from a teenager beginning his Hollywood career into an accomplished performer and said their relationship had continued beyond their time working together.

Recalling their recent conversations, Cranston described how the two had been trying to arrange a reunion over lunch.

"We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch," Cranston wrote.

The exchange had taken place only weeks before Mitte's death. Cranston also reflected on the uncertainty surrounding the meeting they had hoped to arrange and whether it might have affected what followed.

"I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future," Cranston wrote.

Cranston's tribute followed confirmation of Mitte's death from the actor's representative, who spoke to People and Variety, according to the source report. The representative confirmed that Mitte had died by suicide.

Mitte was best known for portraying Walter White Jr. across all five seasons of Breaking Bad, the AMC drama that followed the lives of Walter White and his family. His on-screen relationship with Cranston's character made the two actors central figures in the show's family storyline.

The report did not provide further details about the circumstances of Mitte's death. The story remained developing when the source article was published on October 13, 2026.