RJ Mitte, who played Walter White’s son in “Breaking Bad,” hopes that there will be more opportunities for disabled actors in Hollywood in the future.
“I’m really looking forward to co-presenting the Paralympics and I truly hope Rio 2016 will open up further opportunities for other disabled actors in TV,” Mitte said at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. The actor will be the co-host of the Games on the country’s Channel 4.
According to the Irish Examiner, the actor said that the Paralympics, with 75 percent of its presenting team being comprised of people with disabilities, gives him a unique platform to raise awareness about the issue of representation in media.
“If we can make this happen, we will in turn help change attitudes towards disability across the world,” he said.
Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3. His character on the AMC drama “Breaking Bad,” Walt Jr., also had the condition.
Disability charity Scope found that 81 percent of disabled people don’t feel well-represented in TV and in the media. According to the Examiner, a 2014 study found that only 2.5 percent of people in major roles had a disability.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without my disability,” added Mitte. “I utilized everything I know about living with cerebral palsy for my role in ‘Breaking Bad.’ It was my acting ability that landed me the role, although my disability helped get me the part of Walt Junior — like everyone else, I went through a grueling audition process.”