Dean Norris, Marlee Matlin and several other celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to “Breaking Bad” star and disability advocate RJ Mitte, who died by suicide Monday. The actor, who had cerebral palsy, was 34.
“Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ,” Norris, who played Mitte’s on-screen uncle Hank Schrader in “Breaking Bad,” wrote on X Monday. “I am heartbroken. Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set.”
He added: “He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family.”
Bryan Cranston, who played Mitte’s onscreen father Walter White, followed suit with his own tribute Monday evening, sharing he was in “deep despair” over his co-star’s passing.
“We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could meet for lunch,” Cranston wrote. “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.”
Matlin, who worked with Mitte on ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth,” expressed a similar sentiment, writing on X, “My heart is shattered. There will never be another like RJ Mitte. You will always have a place in my heart. RIP.”
As we previously reported, Mitte, who notably starred as Walter White Jr. on the hit AMC drama “Breaking Bad,” died Monday at the age of 34. Mitte’s representative later confirmed to media that the actor died by suicide.
Like his character on “Breaking Bad,” Mitte had cerebral palsy, prompting the actor to become a disability rights advocate and philanthropist during his lifetime. “Speechless” star Micah Fowler, who also has cerebral palsy, even made a point to highlight Mitte’s advocacy work in his tribute posted to Instagram.
“I’m so, so Heartbroken! I will miss you! The world will miss you! I will never forget working with you on disability advocacy projects and on the Motionless Documentary,” he wrote. “You were a pioneer in the Entertainment industry as you broke through stereotypes and displayed your talents in numerous acting roles.
“I so looked up to you and gained confidence from you as I entered into playing JJ on ‘Speechless,’” he continued. “I’ll never forget working with you and hanging! Will never forget you man. RJ – Your legacy will endure. Rest in Peace!”
For a full round-up of tributes to Mitte, keep reading.
