Bryan Cranston reflects on ‘Breaking Bad’ co-star RJ Mitte’s death at 34: ‘It’s a shame’
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ‘Breaking Bad’ actor Bryan Cranston recently opened up about the emotional impact of his co-star RJ Mitte’s tragic death at the age of 34. The veteran artist reflected on the tragedy during a red carpet appearance at the Broadway opening of Billy Crystal’s new play ‘860’ in New York City.
RJ played Cranston’s son, Walter White Jr., in the popular neo-Western crime drama. The 34-year-old tragically passed away on October 12. At the time, his representative shared that RJ drew “from his own experience living with cerebral palsy” for ‘Breaking Bad’ and “brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
Bryan Cranston says RJ Mitte’s death threw him in a ‘loop’
Reflecting on the tragic loss of his co-star, Cranston told Extra TV, “It’s a shame. You know, it threw me for a loop for several days. I didn’t understand it.” The actor also revealed that he was planning to meet with RJ just a few days before he passed away.
“He and I were trying to find out where we were,” Cranston shared, adding, “I was in New York. He was in Texas, and I was coming to L.A., and we were trying to figure out, and I just wonder if he wanted to talk to me about something. And it's like, oh, God. Thirty-four years old!”
Cranston also shared a powerful message about mental health, saying, “If you feel depression, it’s a real thing. You’re not alone and there’s help to guide you through as best they can and as best you can. So, seek help.”
Bryan Cranston was in ‘deep despair’ after RJ Mitte’s death
The ‘Breaking Bad’ star also paid a heartfelt tribute to RJ shortly after the news of his untimely death came to light. “I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad, has died,” Cranston wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement.
“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,” he shared. “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 continued.
“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… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show - but still a kid,” he mentioned.
“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,” Cranston stated.
The actor also shared that he was texting with RJ a few weeks before the tragedy to plan for a lunch. Cranston also wondered, “if that lunch would have changed his future,” and added that “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.” He concluded the tribute saying, “I’ll miss you, son.”
