RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on “Breaking Bad,” died Monday at age 34, his representative confirmed. TMZ reported that he died by suicide.
Just a week before his death, Mitte appeared on “The Joe Vulpis” podcast, an episode recorded Oct. 5 that has since taken on new weight. Asked how he drew on real emotion for intense scenes on the AMC series, Mitte spoke about his approach to living.
“I live life to the fullest. I always try. I have a very finite amount of time.”
“I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen a lot of s—t in this world,” he said. “I’ve seen the most beautiful things and I’ve seen some of the most heinous things in working with communities all around the world. And I find drawing from experience is something that’s really important as an actor.”
Mitte, who had cerebral palsy, spent much of his career working to challenge stereotypes and expand representation for people with disabilities. He told the podcast that the platform “Breaking Bad” gave him for that advocacy mattered more than the show’s fame or awards.
“That’s really the greatest thing that ‘Breaking Bad’ has given me, is to be able to lend my voice to causes that make a meaningful impact that changes people’s lives.”
“I think that’s one of the greatest things that I have and it’s not the awards. It’s not all of these things people assume come with this. It’s literally being able to impact someone’s life in a meaningful way that without that, wouldn’t have it,” he added.
He described “giving back” as his greatest achievement. “One of the things that makes me truly the happiest is helping others and my foundation work,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mitte said he hoped to keep funding his projects and providing resources for others, and to “keep living the dream.”
“I tell people, you know, every dream could be a nightmare, too … but just keep living it, just keep pushing forward. As long as my family is healthy and happy, I’m happy.”
Mitte’s last public appearance came Oct. 2, days before his death, on the podcast Stauros Entertainment, where he discussed his role in the upcoming film “Talking to Strangers,” playing a man with cerebral palsy in a love affair.
In a statement, Mitte’s representative said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte.” The statement noted he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24 hours a day.
