Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte dies aged 34 as Bryan Cranston pays tribute

RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr in *Breaking Bad*, died on Monday, 12 October 2026, aged 34. Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told the Associated Press she declared him dead at about 1.30pm in Brownsville, Texas. CBS News said a representative had separately confirmed his death to its reporters.

Bryan Cranston, who played Mitte’s on-screen father, said he was in “deep despair” at losing his “sweet son”. He recalled meeting Mitte when he was 14 and said he played the role with “joy and enthusiasm”. CBS reported that the two had recently exchanged messages about meeting for lunch. “I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future,” Cranston wrote.

Mitte’s representative Sean Riley said the actor drew on his experience of living with cerebral palsy in his performance and used his profile to promote disability awareness and inclusion.

Nieuws.nl reported that a spokesperson had confirmed suicide to American media, but did not identify the spokesperson or the outlets. TMZ attributed the same claim to unnamed sources. Cyndi Hinojosa told the Associated Press she could not provide a cause of death and said an autopsy would be performed. CBS News also reported that no cause had been provided.