Highlights
- Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte has tragically died by suicide at age 34 in Brownsville, Texas on Monday.
- Bryan Cranston shared a deeply emotional tribute, revealing they texted to plan lunch just a few weeks ago.
- Co-stars Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, and Marlee Matlin also posted heartfelt statements mourning his loss.
Bryan Cranston is mourning the sudden loss of RJ Mitte, the 34-year-old actor who played his on-screen son in the acclaimed AMC drama Breaking Bad. Mitte died by suicide on Monday (October 12, 2026) in Brownsville, Texas, according to law enforcement sources and his representatives.
The Emmy-winning actor shared his devastation on social media late Monday night. “I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight,” Cranston wrote alongside a photo of the two actors. “RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died”.
Cranston reflected on their initial meeting nearly two decades ago. “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 recalled. “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”.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three, shared the same condition as his television counterpart. Cranston praised his resilience, stating, “Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never – ever – allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but still a kid”.
The tragedy is magnified by how recently the two had connected. “It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch,” Cranston revealed. “I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future”. He closed his statement with a simple sign-off: “I’ll miss you, son,” before sharing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Beyond his acting career, Mitte fiercely championed disability representation in Hollywood. Cranston highlighted this advocacy in his tribute. “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 noted.
The grief spans the entire Breaking Bad cast. Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, offered a brief statement: “RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed”.
Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank Schrader, expressed immediate shock upon hearing the news. “Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ. I am heartbroken,” Norris wrote. “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”.
Mitte’s Switched at Birth colleagues also echoed the heartbreak. Marlee Matlin wrote, “My heart is shattered. There will never be another like RJ Mitte”. Lea Thompson added her respects, calling him “joyous, professional, kind and very, very good,” noting, “Rest in peace RJ your work inspired so many”.
A representative for Mitte confirmed his passing, stating, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte”.
