Stars of Breaking Bad Pay Tribute to R.J. Mitte: "A Gentle Soul Lost Too Soon
Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn's characters, on Vince Gilligan's Emmy-winning series.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter · October 12, 2026 at 11:02 PM · AI-assisted report
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BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, 13 OCTOBER 2026 —
R.J. Mitte, the actor who portrayed Walter White Jr. on the Emmy-winning series "Breaking Bad," died Monday in Brownsville, Texas, at the age of 34, his representatives confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was disclosed, though TMZ reported it was a suicide.
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Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and later became a disability rights advocate. He played the son of Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn's characters, Walter and Skyler White, across the show's five-season run from 2008 to 2013. Earlier this month, Mitte appeared on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, where he reflected on working with Cranston and Gunn.
"Bryan and Anna, they have such a wealth of knowledge and have been working in the industry for many years at the time and even more now," he recalled. "And so every day, as far as it being a dark show having heavy themes, everything was very light-hearted, even in between takes."
Following the announcement, co-star Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, issued a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. "I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that."
Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank Schrader, also paid tribute. "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."
The Hollywood Reporter published the confirmation of Mitte's death on October 12, 2026, citing his representatives as the primary source.
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