Bryan Cranston mourns death of former "Breaking Bad" co-star RJ Mitte
Actor Bryan Cranston expressed sorrow over the suicide of RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on "Breaking Bad" and was an advocate for people with disabilities.
Actor Bryan Cranston said on Monday that he was grieving the death of his former "Breaking Bad" co-star RJ Mitte, who died by suicide in Brownsville, Texas. Cranston noted that the two had been in contact by text a few weeks before Mitte’s death and had been planning to meet for lunch.
"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 said in a statement.
Cranston, who portrayed Walter White on the AMC series, recalled meeting Mitte when the actor was 14 and was cast as Walter White Jr. He highlighted Mitte’s determination in meeting the show’s demanding schedule despite living with cerebral palsy and praised his work as a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities.
"He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination," Cranston added.
Mitte, 34, appeared in 56 of the series’ 62 episodes and later led a philanthropic organization focused on the disabled community. Cranston reflected on Mitte’s growth as an actor from the pilot’s early days in 2007 to his later performances, describing the loss as a loss of promise and potential.