RJ Mitte's painful cerebral palsy treatments, violent bullying and becoming a teen carer for his adopted mother inspired his disability advocacy - before Breaking Bad star's suicide aged 34

Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte's life was cut short yesterday when he died by suicide at the age of 34, leaving Hollywood in mourning. 

It is a heartbreaking end to Mitte's story, after he overcame immense hardship to fulfil his dream of becoming an actor. 

Life provided obstacles from the beginning, with Mitte suffering from permanent brain damage after he was born not breathing. 

He never learnt his birth mother's identity, having been adopted by Roy Frank Mitte Jr and Dyna Mitte, who believed she couldn't have children having previously battled ovarian cancer. 

Roy and Dyna separated when he was two months old, and Mitte did not know he was adopted until he was six, when his stepbrother overheard the news and told him 'You are adopted. They don’t love you.' 

In 2016, Mitte described his relationship with his father as 'kind of estranged' after his father remarried and 'had his own little family', saying that he would only see him once a year.

Yet he remained incredibly close to his adopted mother, who helped him manage his cerebral palsy. 

He was diagnosed with the lifelong neurological condition, caused by his brain damage, at the age of three. It permanently affects body movement, muscle control, muscle tone, and posture.

Diagnosed at the age of three, Mitte endured 10 years of wearing casts, leg braces and painful physical therapy so that he could walk. 

Dyna remained his biggest cheerleader during his treatment, previously explaining: 'I never wanted him to feel he couldn't do something. 

'If he came home and said "I can't play football", I would say let's go in the backyard and see what we can do. Maybe we can figure out a different way to play.'

Such was the support that Mitte received that he believed all children went to occupational and speech therapy, and it was only when a fellow pupil told him that it 'wasn't normal' to have a disability that he realised he was different. 

His school years were rough, with Mitte recalling he 'went through the wringer', with bullies, who broke his hand and choked him during violent attacks. 

He also had to juggle his studies with caring for his mother who lost her job after a car accident left her partially paralysed for six years. 

Dyna had also become pregnant and welcomed a daughter, Lacianne, shortly before the accident, with Mitte having to step up and care for them aged 12. 

Mitte recalled: 'She [Dyna] was a single parent, and we had just moved into a new place in Louisiana and feared we would lose everything.

'I mowed lawns, picked up stuff and took it places. I did whatever I could to scrape cash together. I have devoted my life to my mum and my sister, and I still take care of them today.'

However, the family were given a fresh chance when they relocated to Los Angeles. 

Lacianne had been cast in a commercial when she was only 18 months old after a talent agent spotted her in a water park, with the family moving away from the South in a bid to land her more work. 

At this point Mitte was asked if he'd consider acting, but Dyna was hesitant at first, recalling: 'My first reaction was "no". 

'He had gone through a lot and I didn't want him to go through the rejection and the negativity that's inherent in this business.' 

Yet Mitte was determined and began picking up roles as an extra on shows such as Hannah Montana. 

He previously told The Guardian: 'I had a lot of responsibility at the age of 12. By 13, I was the main breadwinner for my family. It was scary but necessary. 

'I started off working as an extra, and I had to keep getting jobs to pay the bills. It evolved into a career very quickly. I think that accident changed our lives. 

'It changed the dynamics of my relationship with my sister. Lacey is my baby, my little girl. We are still very close.'

Within a year of moving to LA, he had landed his role as Walter White Jr in Breaking Bad – which ran for five seasons between 2008 and 2013 and is widely regarded by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time.

'I saw this as an opportunity to change my life for the better, and I took it,' Mitte recalled. 'It turned into a career.'

The role took Mitte's career to a whole new level and 'opened a lot of doors' for him.

'Breaking Bad put me on the map,' he told The Independent in 2021. 'You’re only talking to me today because of it. 

'None of my projects would exist without that show and the opportunity it gave me. It really opened a lot of doors for me. I wouldn’t have the media profile and the following that I have today without Walter White Jr. I would just be some kid who lives in Texas.'

With his newfound fame, Mitte called for more representation of disabled actors on television.

'Representation is everything, as we've seen over the last ten years with the growth of representation on television,' he told WUWF in 2023.

'Having positive influences of individuals with disabilities, not just cerebral palsy, but all of them, changes the mindset. TV is something that we all share; we all watch. TV really brings communities together in a way that you might not realize through social outlet.

'I think that can really inspire individuals, and that can do wonders for confidence and self-esteem. If you see a character that's going through the same struggle as you, and they're succeeding, and in your life you may not be, it can help inspire you to get that extra push,' he added.

Mitte also credited his disability for taking him in the direction he went down: 'I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without my disability,' he said. 'I utilised everything I know about living with cerebral palsy for my role in Breaking Bad.' 

Last year, he offered advice to young people living with disabilities, saying: 'My hope is to inspire a "never give up" mentality.

'If there is something you want in life, pursue it no matter how hard it may be. Keep your dreams alive. Don't lose sight of who you want to become.' 

Mitte also found love with Kennedy Suarez, whom he'd been friends with for a decade before things turned romantic between them. 

He proposed on October 10, 2025 – Suarez's 30th birthday – and told People at the time: 'I'm thrilled to have found my person, my partner in life who makes me want to be better, no matter what we're doing.

'Kennedy is my everything, and I can't wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next.'

Mitte and Suarez lived in Brownsville, Texas, and the actor was president of The Mitte Foundation, his family's Austin-based charity. The Foundation rejuvenates and funds South Texas-based marginalized communities. 

Tragically, the pair would never make it down the aisle. 

The news of Mitte's death came on Monday, with his representative releasing a statement that read: '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.

'Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.'

Mitte's on-screen father in Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston, 70, said that he is 'in deep despair', as he shared a heartbreaking Instagram tribute writing, 'I’ll miss you, son.'

The actor added that it was 'especially devastating' that Mitte 'took his own life' as the two had recently been texting and making plans to meet up for lunch.

'RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,' he wrote alongside a photo of them together. '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.'

'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.'

Cranston said that Mitte was '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… 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.'

'He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and 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 went on: 'It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago - figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future…'

'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… I’ll miss you, son.'

A county official confirmed to TMZ that Mitte died on Monday in Texas – and that a death investigation is ongoing. The publication added that it was told by a separate source that Mitte had died by suicide.

Mitte went on a hot air balloon ride with his Breaking Bad co-star Luis Moncada just eight days before he died. 

In what was his final public appearance, RJ attended the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in New Mexico, the largest balloon festival in the world, alongside Luis, 49, who played ruthless cartel hit man Marco Salamanca in the series. 

Following news of RJ's devastating death, Luis shared footage from their time together as they took a ride in a hot air balloon. 

The poignant video saw Luis tell RJ, who rested his head on his shoulders: 'Let's hold hands bro. Put your head on my shoulder. You're going to be ok.' 

Fans wrote: 'This is so heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss.'

Mitte's upcoming film, Forgotten Outlaw, has been put on hold following his death. The actor was set to star in the Nik Tizekker movie , which was in pre-production before being paused after Mitte's death by suicide, according to TMZ.

Tizekker told the publication he plans to move forward with the movie to honor the late actor's wishes.

The director also told TMZ that Mitte was perfect for the role, both for his understanding of the character and his physical resemblance to the person he was set to portray.

Production of the film is now on hold, with future plans to recast Mitte's role later on. The team is also working to secure more funding for the project - something Mitte was helping with prior to his death.

Tizekker also revealed that he and Mitte were working on a limited series titled Like It Was Yesterday, about near death experiences.

Mitte had already filmed scenes alongside actress Catherine Carlen, who played his mom.

The project was approximately halfway finished before Mitte's death.

Tizekker said he hopes to eventually release the series if he can get the funding for it.

Meanwhile, podcaster Joe Vulpis - who spoke to Mitte in his final interview two weeks before his death - told TMZ he was stunned by the news.

Vulpis said Mitte was making plans for the future when he last saw him to film the podcast.

He described the actor as 'so positive' and 'one of the most kind and genuine people [he] got to speak with.'

'His passing is super surprising because he was so grounded and down to earth,' he added.

Vulpis said the two spent more time together after filming the podcast and that Mitte talked about what was coming next and was focused on his charitable efforts and future projects.

He told the podcast host that he had just signed on for another film and was promoting his project Talking to Strangers.

And in his final interview with Vulpis, Mitte reflected on his iconic role as Walter White Jr.

Mitte shared that the 'most complicated' scene he had to film came during a phone call with his onscreen father.

'I really think for me one of the most complicated scenes that I've had to do was that final phone call... It's the last time he talks to him. In reality, I didn't understand it as much as I do now.'

'But I still had a lot of pressure and felt a lot of pressure in trying to make sure that was right. And where it set, and the tones, and the confusion, and the different levels of that.'

He went on: 'Because he's now hearing this in his school. He's hearing it from people. He's been stained by this reputation of Heisenberg. And it's like, I don't know who Heisenberg is. Wait, that's my dad. That's my father, and he killed my uncle. Like he's a murderer.'

'And so that realization for him was something that I really wanted to make sure that I met those criteria. And you know, listening to the directors, listening to Vince [Gilligan], and really Bryan [Cranston] was there that day as well.'

'He was in the room when we did that scene. So really kind of figuring out how to do that scene justice.'

Mitte also said that he didn't like watching himself onscreen, because any mistake would make him 'spiral.'

'I find for me it doesn't help me. I dwell in it. I'm someone that when I mess up or like something happens, I dwell and I spiral. Where it's like, what could I have done differently? How could I have done that differently?' 

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Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte reflected on his 'most complicated' scene in heartbreaking final interview just days before his death by suicide at 34 

If you or someone you know in the US needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988. There is an online chat at 988lifeline.org 

In the UK, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or www.samaritans.org