Bryan Cranston has shared a heartfelt tribute following the death of RJ Mitte, his costar from the hit series Breaking Bad, at the age of 34, as reported by Variety. The news has left his former castmates reflecting on the time they spent together on set and the lasting impact Mitte had on the acting community.
Cranston expressed his grief by sharing a message about their long history together. “I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” wrote Cranston. He recalled their first meeting, noting that he met Mitte when he was only 14 years old.
The actor highlighted Mitte’s dedication during the demanding production schedule of the show. “Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never – ever – allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination.”
Mitte appeared in 56 of the 62 episodes of Breaking Bad during its run from 2008 to 2013
Cranston remembered watching him grow from a teenager into a professional actor during their time filming the pilot in February of 2007. He noted that Mitte was always receptive to advice from his television parents, Anna Gunn and himself, even when he occasionally acted like a typical teenager.
Beyond his acting career, Mitte became a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s Hospitals, and he led the Mitte Foundation, which is a Texas-based nonprofit started by his family in 1994.
The circumstances surrounding his death have been confirmed as suicide. “It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life,” Cranston wrote. He shared that the two had been in contact recently, noting, “We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I’ll miss you, son.”
Other members of the Breaking Bad cast have also shared their condolences. Bob Odenkirk, who portrayed Saul Goodman, told People that he would remember Mitte as a “good person who shared his personal story and his time to help out others. Whenever I saw him, he was meeting the world with positivity and a strong desire to connect. This is simply, deeply sad.”
Dean Norris, who played Hank Schrader, shared his thoughts on X on Monday. “Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ,” he wrote. “I am heartbroken. Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”
Mitte had cerebral palsy, which he was diagnosed with at age three. His commitment to representation in the industry was recognized in 2013 when he received the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award. In addition to his work on Breaking Bad, Mitte held roles in the series Switched at Birth and the Netflix project The Guardians of Justice.
Mitte was also actively promoting his role in the film Talking to Strangers shortly before his death.
Published: Oct 13, 2026 06:37 pm