Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte dies in Texas at age 34
RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. on the AMC series Breaking Bad, died on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Texas at the age of 34.
Authorities Confirm Death of Actor in Texas
Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa declared Mitte dead at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time on Monday at what she believed was his home in Brownsville, Texas. Hinojosa stated that an autopsy would be performed. While preliminary reports cited through TMZ indicated the actor may have died by suicide, local authorities had not released a detailed public account of the exact cause of death at the time of reporting.
Mitte’s representatives confirmed the actor’s passing in a statement. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” the statement read.
Mitte Used Personal Experience for Breaking Bad Role
Born Roy Frank Mitte III in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 21, 1992, the actor moved to Los Angeles with his family in 2006 to pursue acting. His career shifted when he was cast as Walter White Jr.—also known as Flynn—in the crime drama Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008 to 2013 across five seasons and 56 episodes. Series creator Vince Gilligan based the character on a real-life college friend who also had cerebral palsy and used forearm crutches.
Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three, drew from his own experiences to bring authenticity to the role. “Living with CP gives me a deep understanding of how my body works, how it moves, and how it adapts,” Mitte said. “I try to bring that authenticity into every character.”
Following the conclusion of Breaking Bad, which garnered 58 Primetime Emmy nominations and 16 wins, Mitte appeared in numerous television and film projects. He was part of the cast that won the SAG Awards’ Ensemble in a Drama Series trophy in 2014, alongside appearances in Switched at Birth, Now Apocalypse, The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!), The Oak Room, and The Recall. His recent credits included the indie drama Talking to Strangers, which held a red-carpet screening on September 30 at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, as well as Triumph, Love Me Dead, and Westhampton.
Mitte Led Disability Awareness and Charity Work
Beyond his onscreen work, Mitte maintained an active role in disability awareness and inclusion. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and held the position of president at The Mitte Foundation, an Austin-based charity supporting educational, community, aging, and disability services.
In October 2025, Mitte announced his engagement to partner Kennedy Suarez during an appearance at the 56th annual Dia del Sol benefit supporting United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego. He is survived by his fiancée, his parents, and his younger sister Lacianne.
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