Bryan Cranston Mourns RJ Mitte After Breaking Bad Star's Death

Bryan Cranston is mourning the death of RJ Mitte, the actor who portrayed his son on Breaking Bad, after Mitte died at age 34 on Monday in Brownsville, Texas. Cranston shared a tribute on Instagram, remembering his co-star's growth as an actor, determination and work supporting people with disabilities.

Mitte's representative confirmed to People that the actor died by suicide. His death prompted tributes from Cranston and other colleagues who worked with him on the AMC drama, which aired from 2008 to 2013.

Cranston described his grief in a personal message reflecting on their relationship both during production and after the series ended.

"I'm in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died," Cranston wrote on Instagram. "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 recalled how Mitte grew from a teenager beginning his television career into an accomplished performer. He also remembered the guidance he and Anna Gunn, who played Mitte's on-screen mother, offered during the young actor's time on the series.

"Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him – but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way…" Cranston continued.

Mitte's work extended beyond acting, as he used his public profile to advocate for performers with disabilities. Cranston highlighted both his professional development and his efforts to support the disability community.

"He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but still a kid. That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor. He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential now is such a loss."

Cranston, 70, also addressed the circumstances of Mitte's death, expressing shock at the loss of someone he had recently been communicating with.

"especially devastating to hear that he took his own life." Cranston said.

The actor said their recent conversations had included plans to meet for lunch, leaving him wondering whether another meeting might have made a difference. He also emphasized the affection he felt for Mitte throughout their years working together and their continued relationship after the show concluded.

"Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future," Cranston wrote. "But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I'll miss you, son."

Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Cranston's character, Walter White, and Gunn's character, Skyler White, throughout the show's 2008–2013 run. The character also had cerebral palsy, reflecting Mitte's real-life diagnosis.

Variety described Mitte's performance as "a breakthrough for disability representation," highlighting the significance of his role in portraying a character with a disability on a major television series.

Outside acting, Mitte supported several organizations serving people with disabilities. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's and was president of the Mitte Foundation, a community-based nonprofit organization.

Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank Schrader, Walter White's brother-in-law and Mitte's on-screen uncle, also remembered the actor and the relationship they developed during filming.

"Though RJ didn't play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking, I can't believe it.

Thinking of him and his family." Norris wrote on Instagram.

Norris's tribute emphasized his concern for Mitte when he was young and the lasting impression the actor made on colleagues. His message added to the expressions of grief from the show's cast.

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, also released a statement mourning his friend.

"I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend.

You will be missed." Paul said.