RJ Mitte, the American actor who earned widespread recognition for playing Walter White Jr. in the hit television series Breaking Bad, has passed away at the age of 34.
He died in Brownsville, Texas, though an official cause of death has not been disclosed.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his representative told the BBC.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, channeled his personal journey into his portrayal of the resilient son of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in the critically acclaimed drama. His performance alongside Cranston and Aaron Paul helped earn him a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014.
“Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” his representative Sean Reilly said in a statement to the BBC.
Beyond his television work, Mitte was a prominent voice for disability representation. He served as an ambassador for both Shriners Children’s and United Cerebral Palsy, advocating for greater opportunity and access throughout his career.
He created The Mitte Foundation as well, to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, using his platform “to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities”, Reilly said.