RJ Mitte, the actor best known for playing Walter "Flynn" White Jr. on the Emmy-winning television series "Breaking Bad," has died at the age of 34.
The actor was declared dead at about 1:30 pm local time on Monday at his residence in Brownsville, Texas, Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told US media. The Brownsville Police Department told CNN that officers received an emergency call around midday and found Mitte already deceased. Police said no foul play is suspected and the investigation is ongoing.
Family statement
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte," his representatives said in a statement shared with media outlets.
A cause of death has not been provided by authorities, and an autopsy will be performed. Some outlets, citing unnamed sources, have reported the death as an apparent suicide; officials have not confirmed this, and readers are asked to respect the family's privacy while the investigation continues.
A breakthrough role
Like his character on "Breaking Bad," Mitte lived with cerebral palsy, and he drew on his own experience to bring authenticity to the role. He appeared across all five seasons of the AMC drama, which aired from 2008 to 2013 and won 16 Emmy awards, including two for outstanding drama series.
His character, Walter White Jr. — who adopted the nickname Flynn — used crutches and spoke with a slur, gaining greater prominence as the story arc of the series progressed. Mitte was part of the cast that won the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series in 2014.
Advocacy beyond acting
Mitte used his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's and as president of The Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic efforts and community initiatives.
He later starred as a high school wrestler with cerebral palsy in the 2021 coming-of-age drama "Triumph," and was a Screen Actors Guild spokesperson for performers with disabilities.
Sources: Reuters: 'Breaking Bad' actor and disability rights activist RJ Mitte dead at 34 | CNN: 'Breaking Bad' actor RJ Mitte dead at 34
The actor was declared dead at about 1:30 pm local time on Monday at his residence in Brownsville, Texas, Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told US media. The Brownsville Police Department told CNN that officers received an emergency call around midday and found Mitte already deceased. Police said no foul play is suspected and the investigation is ongoing.
Family statement
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte," his representatives said in a statement shared with media outlets.
A cause of death has not been provided by authorities, and an autopsy will be performed. Some outlets, citing unnamed sources, have reported the death as an apparent suicide; officials have not confirmed this, and readers are asked to respect the family's privacy while the investigation continues.
A breakthrough role
Like his character on "Breaking Bad," Mitte lived with cerebral palsy, and he drew on his own experience to bring authenticity to the role. He appeared across all five seasons of the AMC drama, which aired from 2008 to 2013 and won 16 Emmy awards, including two for outstanding drama series.
His character, Walter White Jr. — who adopted the nickname Flynn — used crutches and spoke with a slur, gaining greater prominence as the story arc of the series progressed. Mitte was part of the cast that won the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series in 2014.
Advocacy beyond acting
Mitte used his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's and as president of The Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic efforts and community initiatives.
He later starred as a high school wrestler with cerebral palsy in the 2021 coming-of-age drama "Triumph," and was a Screen Actors Guild spokesperson for performers with disabilities.
Sources: Reuters: 'Breaking Bad' actor and disability rights activist RJ Mitte dead at 34 | CNN: 'Breaking Bad' actor RJ Mitte dead at 34