Sean Reilly, a representative for actor RJ Mitte, said suicide was the cause of death of the “Breaking Bad” star, who died Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, in Brownsville, Texas, at 34.
“Sadly, we can confirm that suicide was the cause of death,” Reilly said in a statement on Oct. 13.
Local Justice of the Peace Judge Cyndi Hinojosa confirmed the death Monday, Oct. 12, in Brownsville, where Mitte had moved. A judge said there appeared to be no signs of foul play, and an autopsy remained pending as of Oct. 15.
His obituary lists a celebration of life on Friday, Oct. 16, in Brownsville, where he lived.
A Role Built on Authenticity
Mitte played Walter “Flynn” White Jr., the teenage son at the center of the Albuquerque meth saga, across all five seasons of AMC’s Emmy-winning drama, one of television’s most decorated dramas. He had cerebral palsy and was diagnosed at three years old.
His representatives announced the death in a statement: “It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte.”
“RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” the representatives said.
“Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s,” the statement added.
Advocacy Off the Screen
Mitte spent much of his career pushing for broader representation of people with disabilities on screen, and he became one of the industry’s most visible advocates for disabled performers. He told the BBC, in a conversation about how he broke into the film business and what it meant to work as an actor with a disability: “Disabled or not, everyone deserves an opportunity.”
Mitte said in 2019 that disabled actors faced a shortage of roles and recognition, and he argued the industry needed far more representation than it was offering.
He also served as president of his own Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic and community initiatives around disabilities. His other credits include the ABC Family series “Switched at Birth,” “The Oak Room,” “The Recall,” “The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!),” “Triumph” and “Standing Up for Sunny,” and he produced several independent films.
Costars Remember Mitte
Bryan Cranston, who played his on-screen father, wrote on Instagram: “I’ll miss you, son.” He also wrote: “We were texting each other just a few weeks ago — figuring out when we could meet for lunch.”
Anna Gunn, who played Mitte’s TV mother Skyler White, said in a statement on Oct. 14: “I’ll never forget meeting RJ when he was only 14 years old.” She also said: “What I choose to remember and cherish today are the quiet, personal moments I shared with my beloved TV son.”
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, wrote on Instagram: “I’m so sorry RJ. What an absolute tragic loss. I love you my friend. I loved your mother. Your sister. I loved your laugh and how much fun you had riding the wave we were all blessed to be on with Breaking Bad.”
Susan Sellers, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, said in a statement that the group was “heartbroken by the loss.” She said: “We knew him as someone who brought kindness, humor, and genuine warmth to every interaction.”
Fans and fellow performers circulated tributes as word of the death spread, making the same point as his representatives: a young actor, handed a part written around a disability he lived with daily, used it to argue the business had room for more people like him.
Engagement and a Recent Outing
Mitte was engaged to Kennedy Suarez, having proposed after the two dated for years. He took a hot air balloon ride with “Breaking Bad” costar Luis Moncada at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 4, and the two were all smiles in social media posts from the get-together.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988, and an online chat option is also available.