RJ Mitte’s death at 34 leaves ‘Breaking Bad’ co-stars ‘heartbroken’ as tributes pour in

BROWNVILLE, TEXAS: ‘Breaking Bad’ star RJ Mitte’s death has left his co-stars devastated. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just three years old.

The actor was 34 when he died on Monday, October 12. Soon after the news of his death broke, tributes began pouring in for the disability rights activist, who was popularly known for playing Walter “Flynn” White Jr across all five seasons of the AMC series.

Dean Norris mourns ‘Breaking Bad’ star RJ Mitte

Dean Norris, who also starred in the Emmy-winning series as Hank Schrader, called Mitte’s untimely passing “heartbreaking,” as per The Hollywood Reporter.

The 63-year-old actor shared, “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. I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in ‘Breaking Bad’, also mourned Mitte’s death.

“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,” Paul said.

Bryan Cranston pays tribute to RJ Mitte

Mitte’s on-screen father, Bryan Cranston, took to Instagram to pay tribute to the actor.

He began, “I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. 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.”

Praising Mitte for never using his cerebral palsy diagnosis as an excuse, the 70-year-old actor stated that Mitte “met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination. Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him.”

Cranston ended his tribute by noting that they had stayed in touch and were even planning to meet for lunch.

“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But 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… I’ll miss you, son,” he added.

Lea Thompson and SAG-AFTRA honor RJ Mitte

Filmmaker Michael D Coffey, who cast Mitte to play him in ‘Triumph’, remembered him as “awesome” and “a very hard worker”, as reported by PEOPLE.

“He was always traveling to hospitals, etc to advocate for people with disabilities. RJ will be greatly missed by the many, many lives he touched,” Coffey added.

Lea Thompson, who worked with Mitte on ‘Switched at Birth’, wrote on Instagram, “I had the pleasure of working with @rjmitte on Switched at birth. He was joyous, professional, kind and very, very good.”

“May his memory be a blessing. Rest in peace RJ your work inspired so many,” the actress added.

SAG-AFTRA also mourned Mitte’s death. Taking to X, the labor union wrote, “We're saddened by the passing of RJ Mitte, who rose to fame playing Walter "Flynn" White Jr on the hit series ‘Breaking Bad.’

Mitte won a Screen Actors Guild Award for best drama ensemble in 2014 for the show's final season. #SagAftraMember since 2006.”