RJ Mitte, who played Walter Jr. on“Breaking Bad”and became a powerful voice for disability representation in Hollywood, died by suicide Monday at age 34. A county official confirmed the death to TMZ, and the investigation is ongoing. He died in Texas.
Mitte’s final public appearance came just days before his death. On October 2, he joined the Stauros Entertainment podcast to discuss his new film“Talking to Strangers,”calling the cast“amazing”and praising the movie for“stepping out of the realm of comfort.”He was also photographed on September 30 at a Beverly Hills screening for the film. Beyond his acting work, Mitte lived with cerebral palsy and served as a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, advocating throughout his career for authentic disability representation on screen.
His death is a reminder that the people who inspire us most can also be struggling in ways we don’t see. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential support. How do you think Hollywood can better support actors with disabilities, both on screen and behind the scenes?
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.