'Breaking Bad' Actor RJ Mitte Dead at 34
RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, has died at 34. His representatives said he died Monday in Brownsville, Texas.
- 56 episodes: his run on Breaking Bad, across all five seasons.
- Age 3: when Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
- 2014: he shared the SAG ensemble drama award with the cast.
- Recent films included Triumph, Love Me Dead and Westhampton.
Why it matters: Mitte's character also had cerebral palsy, and the show's popularity gave him a platform for disability inclusion. He used it to push for representation on screen.
- He was an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's.
- He served as president of The Mitte Foundation.
How 33 sources split on this story
Where they split: Outlets differ on cause: some lead with a TMZ report, citing a county official, that he died by suicide, while others say no cause was given.
Center coverage, 14 sources: The center treats it as a career obituary, emphasizing his roles and disability work without reporting a cause.
Left coverage, 11 sources: The left frames the story around Mitte's advocacy and his representatives' statement, noting the cause was not officially released.
Right coverage, 8 sources: The right leads with the death and the TMZ report attributing it to suicide.
What’s next: His representatives asked that the family's privacy be respected.
- In the U.S., the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text at 988.
- Will officials or the family confirm a cause of death?
- Was Mitte born in Louisiana, as Deadline reports, or Mississippi, where the Hollywood Reporter says he was raised?
