Brownsville, Oct 13 (V7N)- American actor RJ Mitte, best known for portraying Walter White Jr. in the hit television series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34, his representatives confirmed on Monday (October 12).
Mitte died in Brownsville, Texas. The cause and manner of his death have not yet been determined, and authorities said the investigation is ongoing. An autopsy is expected to help establish the cause of death.
Despite living with cerebral palsy, Mitte built a successful acting career and became a prominent advocate for disability rights and inclusion.
In a statement to the BBC, his representative described him as a beloved actor, philanthropist and disability rights activist, expressing deep sadness over his death.
Mitte drew on his own experiences with cerebral palsy to portray Walter White Jr., the son of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, in Breaking Bad. Aaron Paul appeared in the series as Jesse Pinkman.
The series aired on the US cable network AMC from 2008 to 2013, running for five seasons. It received 58 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won 16 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014.
Mitte’s performance helped raise awareness about disability representation in television. He received a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014 for his work on the series.
Beyond acting, Mitte worked to improve the rights and welfare of people with disabilities. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and established the Mitte Foundation to support charitable initiatives and community programmes.
His representative, Sean Reilly, said Mitte used his public profile to challenge misconceptions about people with disabilities and promote greater inclusion across society, including in the entertainment industry.
Mitte’s death marks the loss of an actor whose work on screen and advocacy efforts helped bring greater visibility to people living with disabilities.
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