Bryan Cranston Mourns “Breaking Bad” Son RJ Mitte’s Death by Suicide: ‘Why?’
“It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life,” the actor wrote of his onscreen son
Bryan Cranston paid tribute to his onscreen son RJ Mitte, following the “devastating” news of the actor’s death
Mitte, who played Walter “Flynn” White Jr. on Breaking Bad, died by suicide on Monday, Oct. 12, at age 34, his rep confirmed to PEOPLE
In Cranston’s emotional tribute, he urged those who are “contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need”
Bryan Cranston says he is in “deep despair” following the death of his onscreen son, RJ Mitte, on Monday, Oct. 12.
Mitte, a disability rights activist and actor known for playing Walter “Flynn” White Jr. in all five seasons of the AMC series Breaking Bad,died at age 34, a rep told PEOPLE in a statement on Monday. His rep later confirmed to PEOPLE that he died by suicide.
Bryan Cranston and RJ Mitte on June 14, 2010 in West Hollywood, California.Credit: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Mitte’s Breaking Bad costars paid tribute to him in the hours after his death, including Cranston, who posted an emotional message to Instagram.
“RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm,” Cranston, 70, wrote. “Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination.”
Bryan Cranston and RJ Mitte on January 18, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: Kevin Winter/WireImage
“Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him. But being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way…,” the actor continued. “He was one of the stars of a hit TV show - but still a kid.”
“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor,” Cranston added.
Cranston celebrated Mitte’s activism, noting that he was a “vocal advocate for performers with disabilities. He wrote that Mitte “was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community.”
“All that promise and potential now is such a loss,” Cranston said.
“It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life,” he wrote. “Why?”
The actor said he and Mitte texted a few weeks ago and tried to plan lunch.
“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future…,” Cranston wrote. “But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed.”
Cranston concluded his post by writing, “I’ll miss you, son.”
Bryan Cranston and RJ Mitte in ‘Breaking Bad’.Credit: Lewis Jacobs/AMC
The final message in Cranston’s tribute was to urge “anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline,” writing, “There is hope.”
Cranston’s emotional post followed messages of grief from Breaking Bad stars Dean Norris and Aaron Paul.
Norris, who played Hank Schrader, called Mitte’s death “heartbreaking” in a statement. “Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed,” Norris, 63, said. “I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”
Paul, 47, who played Jesse Pinkman in the series, said he was “at a loss” after hearing the news, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed,” Paul said. “And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Mitte earned the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award in 2013 for his work on Breaking Bad, and he also appeared in ABC Family’s Switched at Birth, the superhero series The Guardians of Justice, and had early appearances in Hannah Montana and Everybody Hates Chris.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
Source: Entertainment
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