Watch: ‘Breaking Bad’ Star RJ Mitte Dead at 34
Hollywood is honoring RJ Mitte‘s life and legacy.
After the Breaking Bad actor and philanthropist’s rep confirmed his passing Oct. 12, fans, friends and fellow stars, including costar Aaron Paul,mourned his death.
“I am at a loss,” Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
Meanwhile, costar Dean Norris—who played his uncle, Hank Schrader, on Breaking Bad—wrote on X, “Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ. I am heartbroken.”
“Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set,” he continued. “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.”
His Switched at Birth costar Lea Thompson also spoke out, writing on Instagram Oct. 12, “He was joyous, professional, kind and very, very good. I am so broken hearted to hear of his passing. May his memory be a blessing. Rest in peace RJ your work inspired so many.”
Mitte, who was residing in Brownsville, Texas, at the time of his death, made what would be his last red carpet appearance on Sept. 30, attending a screening of his film Talking To Strangers at Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif.
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Days later, Mitte reflected on his career and his Breaking Bad journey with onscreen parents Bryan Cranston and Anna 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,” Mitte said on the Oct. 5 episode of The Joe Vulpis Podcast. “So every day, as far as it being a dark show having heavy themes, everything was very light-hearted, even in between takes.”
Mitte, a disability rights advocate who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3, also spoke about his connection to his Breaking Bad character Walt Jr., who was inspired by creator Vince Gilligan‘slate friend.
“Walt Jr. was based on a real person,” Mitte said. “A friend Vince had in college who had cerebral palsy who used forearm crutches and, sometime after, passed away. So it really felt real playing this character and getting into the groove with this character.”
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Mitte played Walt Jr. in all five seasons of Breaking Bad before the series ended in 2013.
Keep reading for a look back at Mitte’s life and career in photos.
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John Sciulli/Getty Images for Neuro Brands
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