‘Breaking Bad’ star RJ Mitte dies at 34, police say

HARLINGEN, Texas ( KVEO ) — “Breaking Bad” actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte is dead at the age of 34, the Brownsville Police Department confirmed Monday.

The cause and manner of death remain under investigation, police say.

Mitte is known for his roles in various television shows including “Breaking Bad,” “The Oak Room,” “The Recall,” and “The Guardians of Justice.”

Mitte, who had cerebral palsy , is perhaps best remembered for his starring role as Walter White Jr. in “Breaking Bad.” Mitte starred alongside Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn, who played his parents on the show.

Diagnosed at age 3, Mitte said in a 2014 interview that his disability and the surrounding struggles with physical therapy, family problems and exorbitant medical bills — all key subjects on the show – made him better at his job.

“You develop a different mentality, and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world,” he continued at the time. “You’re able to use that. And I think it’s an asset instead of something that would hinder.”

“Breaking Bad” is widely considered to be one of the greatest shows of all time, according to viewers and experts .

As an advocate, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He was also president of his own Mitte Foundation supporting philanthropic and community initiatives around disabilities.

The Mitte Cultural District also confirmed Mitte’s death and released the following statement:

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Mitte Cultural District shares the news of the passing of RJ Mitte, President of the Mitte Foundation, beloved friend, and dedicated champion of the arts whose commitment to Brownsville will forever be part of our community’s story. RJ was more than a supporter of the Mitte Cultural District. He was a friend, a partner, and someone who genuinely believed in the power of arts and culture to bring people together. He believed that the Mitte Cultural District could serve as a bridge connecting generations, cultures, abilities, and communities through shared experiences and creative expression. His commitment to Brownsville and his family’s philanthropic legacy helped shape an extraordinary chapter in our cultural history, including our recent designation as a Texas Cultural District.” Actor RJ Mitte presents the Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship at the 39th College Television Awards presented by the Television Academy Foundation at the Saban Media Center on Saturday, March 16, 2019, in the NoHo Arts District in Los Angeles. (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images) Reba Cardenas McNair, chair of the Mitte Cultural District Board of Directors, shared: “RJ was a tremendous asset to our community, and we are devastated by this loss. His commitment to Brownsville and the Mitte Cultural District went far beyond philanthropy. He genuinely believed in our community, our artists, and the power of arts and culture to bring people together. RJ understood the importance of carrying forward his family’s legacy while helping us build something meaningful for future generations. His friendship, generosity, and belief in Brownsville will never be forgotten.” Daniella Lopez Valdez, executive director of the Mitte Cultural District, shared: “RJ believed in Brownsville. He believed in our artists, our children, our cultural institutions, and the incredible potential of this community. But more importantly, he believed in bringing people together. He understood that the arts are a bridge — a bridge between generations, between cultures, between people of different abilities and backgrounds, and between where a community has been and where it dreams of going. RJ was part of our cultural family. He celebrated our milestones, believed in our vision, and reminded us that the work we do here matters far beyond Brownsville. We will miss his friendship, his encouragement, and his unwavering belief in what this community could become. RJ’s advocacy for inclusion and accessibility reflected the very heart of our mission: creating a cultural community where differences are celebrated, barriers are removed, and the arts belong to everyone. As we mourn this tremendous loss, we extend our deepest condolences to RJ’s family, loved ones, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. We will honor his memory by continuing the work he believed in, building bridges through the arts, creating opportunities for inclusion, and ensuring that Brownsville’s cultural community continues to thrive. RJ, thank you for believing in Brownsville, for believing in our artists, and for helping us build a legacy that will connect our community for generations to come. Your legacy will forever be woven into the story of the Mitte Cultural District.”

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Mitte Cultural District shares the news of the passing of RJ Mitte, President of the Mitte Foundation, beloved friend, and dedicated champion of the arts whose commitment to Brownsville will forever be part of our community’s story.

RJ was more than a supporter of the Mitte Cultural District. He was a friend, a partner, and someone who genuinely believed in the power of arts and culture to bring people together.

He believed that the Mitte Cultural District could serve as a bridge connecting generations, cultures, abilities, and communities through shared experiences and creative expression.

His commitment to Brownsville and his family’s philanthropic legacy helped shape an extraordinary chapter in our cultural history, including our recent designation as a Texas Cultural District.”

Actor RJ Mitte presents the Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship at the 39th College Television Awards presented by the Television Academy Foundation at the Saban Media Center on Saturday, March 16, 2019, in the NoHo Arts District in Los Angeles. (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)

Reba Cardenas McNair, chair of the Mitte Cultural District Board of Directors, shared:

“RJ was a tremendous asset to our community, and we are devastated by this loss. His commitment to Brownsville and the Mitte Cultural District went far beyond philanthropy. He genuinely believed in our community, our artists, and the power of arts and culture to bring people together.

RJ understood the importance of carrying forward his family’s legacy while helping us build something meaningful for future generations. His friendship, generosity, and belief in Brownsville will never be forgotten.”

Daniella Lopez Valdez, executive director of the Mitte Cultural District, shared:

“RJ believed in Brownsville. He believed in our artists, our children, our cultural institutions, and the incredible potential of this community. But more importantly, he believed in bringing people together.

He understood that the arts are a bridge — a bridge between generations, between cultures, between people of different abilities and backgrounds, and between where a community has been and where it dreams of going.

RJ was part of our cultural family. He celebrated our milestones, believed in our vision, and reminded us that the work we do here matters far beyond Brownsville. We will miss his friendship, his encouragement, and his unwavering belief in what this community could become.

RJ’s advocacy for inclusion and accessibility reflected the very heart of our mission: creating a cultural community where differences are celebrated, barriers are removed, and the arts belong to everyone.

As we mourn this tremendous loss, we extend our deepest condolences to RJ’s family, loved ones, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

We will honor his memory by continuing the work he believed in, building bridges through the arts, creating opportunities for inclusion, and ensuring that Brownsville’s cultural community continues to thrive.

RJ, thank you for believing in Brownsville, for believing in our artists, and for helping us build a legacy that will connect our community for generations to come.

Your legacy will forever be woven into the story of the Mitte Cultural District.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.