Casting director Sharon Bialy recalls RJ Mitte's breakthrough role on Breaking Bad

Sharon Bialy, a veteran casting director known for projects such as The Walking Dead and The Handmaid’s Tale, spoke about the late actor RJ Mitte, who died on Oct. 12 at age 34. Bialy explained that the role of Walt Jr. was written by creator Vince Gilligan for an actor with cerebral palsy, prompting a nationwide search that involved contacting disability organizations and schools.

"How great would it be if he was on the cover of Teen Beat magazine, a young actor with cerebral palsy?" Bialy recalled telling Gilligan during the casting process.

Mitte, then 14, auditioned on Feb. 23, 2007, and was selected after a series of readings with Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn in New Mexico. He later appeared in a guest spot on the series Vegas, and in 2011 presented Bialy and her partner Sherry Thomas with a Media Access Award for promoting opportunities for actors with disabilities.

Bialy said she hopes people will remember Mitte for his talent, his perseverance through physical and speech therapy, and his advocacy for broader representation of disabled performers. She added that help is available for anyone in crisis, urging readers to call or text 988.