Hollywood actor Bryan Cranston has expressed profound grief following reports of the death of RJ Mitte, his on-screen son in the television drama Breaking Bad, at the age of 34.
Cranston, who portrayed Walter White in the popular AMC series, honoured Mitte in an emotional Instagram post, recalling their years together on the show and their relationship after it ended.
TMZ, citing sources, reported that Mitte died by suicide, although authorities are reportedly still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” Cranston wrote.
The actor recalled that Mitte was only 14 when he joined the cast as Walter White Jr., a role he said the young performer approached with joy and enthusiasm.
Cranston described Mitte as a determined young actor who faced the demands of filming with commitment, despite living with cerebral palsy.
Mitte was born with the condition, which was also incorporated into his character in Breaking Bad. His performance contributed to wider conversations about disability representation, while he also became an advocate for inclusion and awareness.
He served as an ambassador for organisations including United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, using his public platform to promote greater understanding of people living with disabilities.
In his tribute, Cranston said Mitte refused to let cerebral palsy define or limit his ambitions.
He also remembered the actor as a teenager who valued the guidance of his television parents, Cranston and Anna Gunn, while sometimes choosing to learn lessons through his own experiences.
Despite his involvement in a successful television production, Cranston said Mitte remained a young person growing up and finding his way.
The Breaking Bad star disclosed that they had been exchanging text messages only a few weeks earlier as they attempted to arrange lunch.
Cranston said his affection for Mitte continued long after the series ended and the attention surrounding the programme began to diminish.
He expressed sadness at the prospect of no longer seeing his former co-star, whom he affectionately regarded as a son.
The actor also used the tribute to appeal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help, directing them to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.
“There is hope,” Cranston wrote in his message encouraging people in crisis to reach out for support.
Breaking Bad followed the story of Walter White, a chemistry teacher who turns to producing illegal drugs after receiving a cancer diagnosis. The series earned widespread acclaim and became one of the most influential television dramas of its era.
Mitte's role as Walter White Jr. made him part of the central family storyline, alongside Cranston and Gunn, who played his parents.
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