RJ Mitte, Walter White Jr. from Breaking Bad, dies aged 34

American actor RJ Mitte, known around the world as Walter White Jr. from Breaking Bad, died on Monday in Brownsville, Texas. He was 34. His spokesperson confirmed that he took his own life, the Guardian reports. The BBC cites a statement given to the Reuters agency.

Police in Brownsville do not suspect a violent death. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told the AP agency that an autopsy will be carried out. There are no further details.

Mitte had cerebral palsy and drew on his own experience in shaping the role. His character walked with crutches, and viewers knew him as the son of chemistry teacher Walter White, who becomes a drug kingpin. Walter White was played by Bryan Cranston. The series ran for five seasons on the cable channel AMC, from 2008 to 2013, and Mitte appeared in 56 episodes.

His representative Sean Reilly wrote in a statement:

"With deep sorrow we announce the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte." (translated)

Cranston said goodbye on Instagram. He wrote that he met Mitte when the actor was 14, and that the news that he had taken his own life hit him especially hard. A few weeks ago the two had exchanged messages about a possible lunch together.

"I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future. But I do know that I loved him." (translated)

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, said the news left him utterly lost and broken. Dean Norris, who played Mitte's on-screen uncle Hank Schrader, wrote that he always looked out for him on set when he was still a child.

Mitte was also an ambassador for the organisations United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, and chair of the Mitte Foundation. After the series ended, he campaigned for more diverse roles for disabled people in film and television. A few days before his death he was promoting the new film Talking to Strangers.

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