RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad, dies at 34, outlets report
In short
Actor RJ Mitte, known for playing Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad, has died at 34, Russian outlets reported, citing TMZ and Deadline. His representatives confirmed his death without stating a cause, according to Meduza; TMZ reported suicide, while the investigation remains ongoing.
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Actor RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad, has died at 34, Russian outlets reported, citing TMZ and Deadline. RBC said Deadline had reported the death citing his representatives. Meduza also said his representatives confirmed the death, but had not given a cause. Kommersant, citing TMZ, reported that Mitte died Monday in Texas. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
TMZ reported that the death was a suicide, according to Kommersant, RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and Meduza. RIA Novosti said local law enforcement told TMZ that the investigation remained ongoing. Vedomosti likewise reported that the circumstances of the death were still being investigated. The actor's representatives, as quoted by Vedomosti, expressed sorrow at his death and highlighted his role as Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, in the AMC series. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Mitte had cerebral palsy, as did his character in Breaking Bad. RIA Novosti reported that he often spoke in support of people with medical conditions and their accurate portrayal on screen. Kommersant said he advocated for broader representation of actors with disabilities in Hollywood. His representatives said he drew on his own experience of cerebral palsy in the role and was an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, according to Vedomosti. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Kommersant reported that Mitte appeared in 56 episodes of Breaking Bad. The crime series aired from 2008 to 2013, Meduza reported. Its central character, chemistry teacher Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, begins producing methamphetamine while terminally ill, saying he wants to provide for his pregnant wife and son with cerebral palsy. Mitte also appeared in other film projects, according to Kommersant and Vedomosti. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Mitte used his profile to advocate for people with disabilities and their representation on screen. His representatives described his portrayal of a character with cerebral palsy as drawing on his own experience of the condition.
Key facts
- RJ Mitte died at 34, according to reports citing TMZ and Deadline. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He played Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, in Breaking Bad. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Meduza reported that Mitte's representatives confirmed his death without disclosing a cause. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reported that he died Monday in Texas, citing TMZ. [ 2 ]
- TMZ reported suicide, while local law enforcement said the investigation was continuing, according to RIA Novosti. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti quoted his representatives saying he was an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- His representatives did not disclose a cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing. Meduza reports the representatives' confirmation without a cause; TMZ's suicide account is relayed by the outlets, while RIA Novosti says law enforcement confirmed an ongoing investigation.