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RJ Mitte

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RJ Mitte
Mitte in 2015
Born(1992-08-21)August 21, 1992
Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedOctober 12, 2026(2026-10-12) (aged 34)
Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
Years active2006–2026
OrganizationThe Mitte Foundation
PartnerKennedy Suarez (2018–2026)

Roy Frank "RJ" Mitte III (/ˈmɪti/ MITT-ee; August 21, 1992 – October 12, 2026) was an American actor and disability rights activist. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was three years old. He moved to Los Angeles in 2006 and worked with a personal talent manager to find acting opportunities where his disability could educate viewers. After playing minor roles in sitcoms, he was cast in his breakthrough role as Walter White Jr. on the AMC neo-Western crime drama television series Breaking Bad (2008–2013).

Mitte starred in the ABC Family teen and family drama television series Switched at Birth (2014) and the Netflix live-action/adult animated mixed media superhero television series The Guardians of Justice (2022). He appeared in Who's Driving Doug (2016), the thriller-drama Time Share (2018), the independent comedy Standing Up for Sunny (2019), the thriller The Oak Room (2020), and the coming-of-age drama Triumph (2021), the lattermost of which he executive produced.

Mitte advocated for cerebral palsy and other disabilities. He was a Screen Actors Guild spokesman for actors with disabilities, a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy, and the president of the nonprofit organization the Mitte Foundation.[1][2] He received the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award in 2013.

Early and personal life

Roy Frank Mitte III was born on August 21, 1992, in Jackson, Mississippi.[3][4] He was delivered by emergency caesarean section and was not breathing at birth, which resulted in permanent brain damage (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy).[5] He was adopted a few weeks later by Roy Frank Mitte Jr. and Dyna Mitte, who separated when he was two months old.[6] He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three, and doctors put his legs in casts for six months in an attempt to straighten his feet.[3]

He was raised by his mother following his parents' separation, splitting time between Lafayette, Louisiana, and Austin, Texas.[7][6] After his mother became paralyzed following a car accident,[8] Mitte assumed financial responsibility for his family at the age of 13, which by then also included his sister, Lacianne Carriere, who had been born when he was 11. As of 2015, he remained financially responsible for both his mother and sister.[9]

Mitte was fitted with leg braces and used crutches throughout most of his childhood. His body became stronger over time through sports and exercise, and he no longer needed walking devices by his teenage years.[10] In 2006, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, with his family after his younger sister received a job offer in a movie production.[11][12]

Mitte was in a relationship with girlfriend Kennedy Suarez from 2018, having been long-term friends beforehand. He announced their engagement in October 2025.[13]

Career

Mitte at the 68th Annual Peabody Awards in 2009

After receiving several roles as an extra, including in the Disney teen sitcom Hannah Montana,[14] Mitte became interested in films and decided to take acting lessons. Shortly after, he was offered the role of Walter White Jr., a character who also has cerebral palsy, in the AMC series Breaking Bad.[15] Series creator Vince Gilligan modeled the character on a friend who had cerebral palsy and used crutches;[1] the character used crutches to walk, though Mitte did not require them in real life by that time.[16] Variety's Daniel D'Addario called Mitte's performance "a breakthrough for disability representation". Mitte felt the role "set really high standards ... that I can never meet".[17]

At the 2013 Media Access Awards, Mitte received the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award for his portrayal of Walter White Jr. on the series and also presented the eponymous RJ Mitte Diversity Award to deaf actor Ryan Lane.[18] The Screen Actors Guild named Mitte as the spokesman for actors with disabilities and he was the representative of Inclusion in the Arts and Media of Performers with Disabilities, which employs artists with disabilities.[19]

In 2011, Mitte starred in the short horror film Stump.[20] That same year, he worked as executive producer of the documentary Vanished: The Tara Calico Story, about the disappearance of Tara Calico.[21] Around and after Breaking Bad's conclusion in 2013, Mitte appeared in the films House of Last Things (2013),[22] Dixieland (2015),[23] and as the lead character in Who's Driving Doug (2016).[24] He had a guest appearance on Vegas in 2012,[25] and a recurring role in Switched at Birth in 2014.[26] He participated in the second series of Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls in 2017,[27] departing in the second episode due to the camp's disorganization.[28]

The cast of Breaking Bad at San Diego Comic-Con in 2018. (L–R): Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Mitte, Dean Norris.

Mitte modeled for a spring 2014 Gap ad campaign.[29] He appeared on the cover of the February/March 2015 issue of Neurology Now, published by the American Academy of Neurology. The issue included a short biography and his views on cerebral palsy, bullying, and his acting career.[30] He was also named a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy in 2015.[31] In June 2015, he modeled on a fashion show catwalk for Vivienne Westwood.[32] In November 2015, Mitte was announced to be a presenter as part of British Channel 4's coverage of the 2016 Rio Summer Paralympics.[33] In 2016, he appeared in the music video for "If I Get High" by English rock band Nothing but Thieves.[34]

Mitte was cast in several science fiction and thriller films, including The Recall (2017),[35] Time Share (2018),[36] and River Runs Red (2018),[37] and he was the lead in the comedy film Standing Up for Sunny (2019), portraying a man with cerebral palsy.[38] On television, he appeared in an episode of This Close in 2018,[39] in two episodes of Now Apocalypse in 2019,[40] and as a lead role in The Guardians of Justice in 2022.[41] Mitte played the lead characters in The Oak Room (2020),[42] The Unseen (2023),[43] and Triumph (2021), and executive-produced the latter,[44] before his roles in Love Me Dead (2024) and Westhampton (2026).[45] He appeared as a lead in Josh Webber's Love Me Dead, which premiered in Germany in 2024; following changes and reshoots, it is scheduled to be released in 2026 or 2027 as Cassi.[46] Some of Mitte's final roles included Talking to Strangers and One Eye Open (both 2026), both of which he was promoting days before his death.[47][48]

In November 2025, in an interview with the Iced Coffee Hour podcast, Mitte stated that he had experienced financial difficulties after hiring a business manager who he alleged stole money intended for tax payments and provided him with falsified tax filings. He said that the resulting tax liabilities and interest took ten years to settle, stating "I've paid more in taxes than I got from Breaking Bad".[49][50]

Death

Mitte at Rose City Comic Con in 2024

Mitte died at his home in Brownsville, Texas, on October 12, 2026, at the age of 34. Emergency personnel received a call at 12:50 p.m., and arrived at his residence,[51] where local authorities pronounced him dead at 1:32 p.m.[52] His representative said that Mitte had died by suicide.[53] He made his final public appearance eight days earlier at the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with Breaking Bad co-star Luis Moncada.[54]

Several of Mitte's co-stars shared tributes, including Breaking Bad actors Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Bob Odenkirk, and Switched at Birth co-stars Marlee Matlin and Lea Thompson. Cranston, who portrayed Mitte's on-screen father, praised his determination and wrote that "he never – ever – allowed that challenge [of cerebral palsy] to be an excuse for anything".[55][56][57][58]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
2011 Stump Tim [20]
2013 House of Last Things Tim [22]
2015 Dixieland CJ [23]
2016 Who's Driving Doug Doug [24]
2017 The Recall Brendan [35]
2018 Time Share Tom [36]
Rivers Run Red Officer Thomas [37]
2019 Standing Up for Sunny Travis [38]
Carol of the Bells Scott Johnson [59]
2020 The Oak Room Steve [42]
2021 Triumph Mike (also executive producer) [44]
2023 The Unseen Tommy Olson [43]
2024 Love Me Dead Isaac [46]
2025 Westhampton Fitz [45]
2026 Talking to Strangers Joshua [47]
One Eye Open Brad Everett [48]
TBA Cassi Isaac [46]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2006 Everybody Hates Chris Audience member Episode: "Everybody Hates Elections" [60]
2007 Hannah Montana School Jock Episode: "Schooly Bully" [61]
2008–2013 Breaking Bad Walter White Jr. Main role [51]
2013 Vegas Russ Auster Episode: "Paiutes" [25]
2014 Switched at Birth Campbell Bingman Recurring role (season 3) [26]
2016 Robot Chicken Walter White Jr. (voice) Episode: "Food" [62]
2017 The Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls Contestant Season 2 [27][28]
Chance Solomon Episode: "The Collected Works of William Shakespeare" [51]
2018 This Close TJ Black Episode: "Who We Are" [39]
2019 Now Apocalypse Leif 2 episodes [40]
2022 The Guardians of Justice Mind Master Main role [41]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref.
2013 "Dead Bite" Hollywood Undead [63]
"Party Like Tomorrow is the End of the World" Steel Panther [63]
2016 "If I Get High" Nothing but Thieves [63]
"In the Dark" 3 Doors Down [64]
2024 "Never Really Know" Kameron Marlowe [65]

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Project Result Ref.
Media Access Awards 2013SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell AwardBreaking BadAwarded[18]
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2012Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBreaking BadNominated[66]
2013Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBreaking BadNominated[67]
2014Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBreaking BadWon[68]
Young Artist Awards 2012Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor 17–21Breaking BadNominated[69]

References

  1. 1 2 Saad, Nardine (October 13, 2026). "Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte dies aged 34". Los Angeles: BBC News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2026. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  2. ↑ Beard, Brandy (October 12, 2026) [October 12, 2026]. "Breaking Bad actor, disability rights activist RJ Mitte dies at 34". KBTX-TV. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "RJ Mitte of 'Breaking Bad' on Living with Cerebral Palsy". YouTube. June 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Birthday: RJ Mitte". August 18, 2017. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ "R.J. Mitte: 'I have devoted my life to my mom and my sister'". www.smh.com.au. August 24, 2019. Archived from the original on December 9, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Tumin, Remy (October 12, 2026). "RJ Mitte, Who Played Walter White's Son on 'Breaking Bad,' Dies at 34". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  7. ↑ Epstein, Elena (April 6, 2015). "BREAKING BAD'S RJ MITTE ON GROWING UP WITH CP". LA Parent. Archived from the original on April 10, 2026. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  8. ↑ "What was RJ Mitte's net worth? Breaking Bad star once revealed how his manager stole his money". AOL. October 13, 2026. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  9. ↑ Ferguson, Donna (February 17, 2016). "RJ Mitte: 'Breaking Bad didn't even make me a millionaire'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on June 1, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ Natasha Wasinkski (October 10, 2013). "'Breaking Bad's' R.J. Mitte talks about living with cerebral palsy". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  11. ↑ Calabro, Tina (March 17, 2010). "'Breaking Bad' actor RJ Mitte finds 'perfect role' prepared him to become an activist". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  12. ↑ Turnquist, Kristi (October 21, 2010). "'Breaking Bad' costar RJ Mitte on ability, disabilities, and filming in Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  13. ↑ Robinette, Ashlyn (October 16, 2025). "Breaking Bad Star RJ Mitte Is Engaged! All the Details of His Proposal to Kennedy Suarez (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  14. ↑ Clements, Erin (September 18, 2013). "RJ Mitte, Miley Cyrus Appeared On Hannah Montana Together". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ Tina Calabro (March 17, 2010). "'Breaking Bad' actor RJ Mitte finds 'perfect role' prepared him to become an activist". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  16. ↑ Gajewski, Josh (March 2, 2008). "For once, his disability was an advantage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  17. ↑ D'Addario, Daniel (October 12, 2026). "Breaking Bad Star RJ Mitte's Heartbreaking Performance as Walter White Jr. Was a Breakthrough for Disability Representation". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  18. 1 2 "2013 Media Access Awards". Writers Guild of America. November 1, 2013. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014.
  19. ↑ Wolfe, Kathi (April 2012). "For Mitte, 'Bad' Rep is Good". Independence Today. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Nakata, Steve (March 22, 2022). "'Breaking Bad' star to discuss how cerebral palsy helped shape his career". WSU Insider. Washington State University.
  21. ↑ "Vanished: The Tara Calico Story". Indiegogo. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  22. 1 2 Qateel, Nav. "An undeniably effective movie". Influx Magazine. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  23. 1 2 Linden, Sheri (April 19, 2015). "Dixieland: Tribeca Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  24. 1 2 Farber, Stephen (February 12, 2016). "Who's Driving Doug: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  25. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (November 2, 2012). "Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte Books Ticket to CBS' Vegas (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  26. 1 2 Harp, Justin (October 4, 2013). "Breaking Bad RJ Mitte joins Switched at Birth". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  27. 1 2 Harrison, Ellie (August 29, 2017). "Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte on surviving bullying, trolls and Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls". Radio Times. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  28. 1 2 Houghton, Rianne (September 6, 2017). "Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte QUITS Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ Parks, Chanel (February 18, 2014). "Gap Goes Back To Basics For Spring". HuffPost. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  30. ↑ Childers, Linda (February 2015). "Breaking Good: After the role of a lifetime, Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte is busting stereotypes about cerebral palsy and speaking out against bullying". Neurology Now. 11 (1). Minneapolis, Minnesota: American Academy of Neurology: 22–25. S2CID 147052248.
  31. ↑ "Celebrity Ambassadors". Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  32. ↑ Locker, Melissa (June 22, 2015). "Breaking Bad's Walt Jr. Walked In A Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show". TIME. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte joins Channel 4's Paralympics presenters". Channel 4. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Nothing But Thieves hire 'Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte for emotional 'If I Get High' video". nbhap.com. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  35. 1 2 Smith, Derek (June 14, 2017). "Review: The Recall". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  36. 1 2 Scheck, Frank (January 22, 2018). "Time Share: Film Review | Sundance 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Lewis, Hilary (September 25, 2018). "Taye Diggs, George Lopez Revenge Thriller River Runs Red Acquired by Cinedigm (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  38. 1 2 Maddox, Garry (June 13, 2019). "Why the kid from Breaking Bad walked out of his new Australian comedy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  39. 1 2 Oller, Jacob (February 16, 2018). "This Close Wastes Its Compelling Premise". Paste. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  40. 1 2 Petski, Denise (June 28, 2018). "Now Apocalypse: RJ Mitte & Grace Victoria Cox Set To Recur On Starz Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Meek, Andy (March 4, 2022). "Netflix' New Superhero Show Might Be The Weirdest Thing You Ever Watch". BGR. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  42. 1 2 Hoad, Phil (April 21, 2021). "The Oak Room review – bar-room tales brew up a storm". The Guardian. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  43. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (March 16, 2023). "Jennifer A. Goodman Thriller 'The Unseen' Starring 'Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte Acquired by Gravitas Ventures". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  44. 1 2 Rampton, James (June 24, 2021). "RJ Mitte: 'My goal is to show people how normal disability is'". The Independent. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  45. 1 2 Lang, Brent (December 12, 2025). "Westhampton With Finn Wittrock, RJ Mitte and Jake Weary Acquired by New Distributor Obscured Releasing (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  46. 1 2 3 Wiseman, Andreas (September 14, 2026). "Dove Cameron & RJ Mitte Thriller Cassi Gets Sales Launch At TIFF Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  47. 1 2 Shanfeld, Ethan (October 12, 2026). "RJ Mitte, Breaking Bad Star, Dies at 34". variety. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  48. 1 2 Moore, Julia (October 12, 2026). "RJ Mitte's 'Heartbroken' Costars on Breaking Bad Speak Out After His Death at 34". People. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  49. ↑ Davies, Matt (October 13, 2026). "RJ Mitte 'barely saw Breaking Bad money' as financial manager left him in years of debt". Daily Mirror. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  50. ↑ "RJ Mitte's financial ordeal resurfaces following his death: 'I've paid more in taxes than I got from Breaking Bad'". The Express Tribune. October 13, 2026. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  51. 1 2 3 Blanchet, Brenton; Mandell, Sean; Bacher, Danielle (October 12, 2026). "Breaking Bad Star RJ Mitte, Disability Advocate Who Played Walter White's Son, Dies at 34". People. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  52. ↑ Helsel, Phil; Gandhi, Insiya; Arcodia, Juliette (October 12, 2026). "RJ Mitte, actor best known for playing Walter White Jr. on 'Breaking Bad,' dies at 34". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2026. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  53. ↑ Hurtado, Yamillah; Mandell, Sean (October 12, 2026). "Breaking Bad Actor and Disability Activist RJ Mitte's Death at 34 Confirmed as Suicide: Rep". People. Archived from the original on October 13, 2026.
  54. ↑ Flam, Charna (October 12, 2026). "RJ Mitte Made His Final Appearance Alongside Breaking Bad Costar Luis Moncada in New Mexico 8 Days Before His Death". People. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  55. ↑ Flam, Charna (October 12, 2026). "Bryan Cranston Mourns Breaking Bad Son RJ Mitte's Death by Suicide: 'Why?'". People. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  56. ↑ Thomas, Carly (October 12, 2026). "Breaking Bad Stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Others Remember R.J. Mitte: 'Sweetheart of a Young Man'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  57. ↑ Tinoco, Armando (October 12, 2026). "RJ Mitte Remembered By Breaking Bad Co-Stars: 'This Is So Heartbreaking'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  58. ↑ Hurtado, Yamillah; Bacher, Danielle (October 13, 2026). "Breaking Bad Star Bob Odenkirk Pays Tribute to RJ Mitte After His Death at 34: 'This Is Simply, Deeply, Sad'". People. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Inclusion Films Produces the Award-Winning Film, Carol of the Bells". Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego. February 28, 2020. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  60. ↑ "RJ Mitte Opens Up About Living with a Disability, Acting, Dating and Hollywood - Exclusive Interview". The Untitled Magazine. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on September 9, 2026. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  61. ↑ Clements, Erin (September 18, 2013). "RJ Mitte, Miley Cyrus Appeared On 'Hannah Montana' Together". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  62. ↑ Rohn, Jake. "Exclusive: RJ Mitte Is Down To Voice 'Walter White Jr.' In A Robot Chicken Movie". Movie Ranker. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  63. 1 2 3 Stolworthy, Jacob (February 9, 2016). "Breaking Bad: Walter Jr actor RJ Mitte stars in Nothing But Thieves music video". The Independent. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  64. ↑ Childers, Chad (February 22, 2016). "3 Doors Down, 'In the Dark' – Exclusive Video Premiere". Loudwire. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Kameron Marlowe Recruits Breaking Bad Star For 'Never Really Know' Video". www.antimusic.com. December 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  66. ↑ "18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. January 29, 2012. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  67. ↑ "19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. January 27, 2013. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  68. ↑ "20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. January 18, 2014. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  69. ↑ "34th Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. May 5, 2013. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.

Further reading

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