Breaking Bad Actor RJ Mitte Dies at 34

US actor RJ Mitte, widely recognized for his role as Walter White Jr., the defiant son of drug kingpin Walter White in the Emmy-winning drama series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34. His representative conveyed "profound sadness" in a statement to the BBC, also highlighting Mitte's philanthropy and passionate advocacy for disability rights. Mitte passed away in Brownsville, Texas, though no immediate cause of death was provided.

Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, drew upon his personal experiences to portray Walter White Jr. in the critically acclaimed series, which also starred Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. His authentic portrayal earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014. His representative, Sean Reilly, stated that Mitte "brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion." Beyond acting, Mitte served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, and established The Mitte Foundation to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, aiming to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.

Breaking Bad aired on US cable broadcaster AMC for five seasons, from 2008 to 2013. The anti-hero drama, created by Vince Gilligan, garnered 58 Primetime Emmy nominations and secured 16 wins, including two for Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014. Mitte, who grew up in Louisiana, moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to support his younger sister's acting career. He once shared on the Joe Vulpis Podcast that his first audition in Los Angeles was for an anti-meth public service announcement.

His character, Walter White Jr., was based on Gilligan's late friend, who had a more severe case of cerebral palsy requiring forearm crutches, which Mitte did not need. Mitte's other notable on-screen credits include Hannah Montana, Switched at Birth, Westhampton, and his latest project, Talking to Strangers, released earlier this year.

What to watch: Tributes from colleagues and fans for his advocacy and acting contributions.

Editor's note: The draft captures the essential details of the actor's death, his career, and his advocacy work as provided in the source.