Actor Dean Norris has recalled the protective bond he shared with RJ Mitte on the sets of Breaking Bad, as Hollywood mourns the death of the actor and disability rights advocate at the age of 34.
Mitte, who became widely recognised for his portrayal of Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed television drama, died in Brownsville, Texas, on Monday, October 12. His death was confirmed by his representatives, who did not disclose the cause.
Norris, who played Hank Schrader, Walter White Jr.’s uncle in Breaking Bad, shared an emotional message on X after learning about the actor’s death.
“Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ. I am heartbroken. Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. 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,” Norris wrote.
Oh my God! Was working just found out about RJ
I am heartbroken
Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set. 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.
💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Dean Norris (@deanjnorris) October 12, 2026
Academy Award-winning actor Marlee Matlin, who worked with Mitte on the television series Switched at Birth, also expressed her grief.
“My heart is shattered. There will never be another like RJ Mitte. You will always have a place in my heart. RIP,” she wrote on X, alongside a photograph of the two actors.
My heart is shattered. There will never be another like RJ Mitte. You will always have a place in my heart. RIP https://t.co/kfS8gv5kHx
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) October 12, 2026
Mitte’s representatives confirmed his death in a statement that acknowledged both his acting career and his commitment to disability advocacy.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” the statement said.
How RJ Mitte made Breaking Bad a turning point for disability representation
Mitte was best known for playing Walter White Jr., also called Flynn, the son of Walter White, portrayed by Bryan Cranston, in Breaking Bad.
The award-winning crime drama, which aired from 2008 to 2013, followed a high school chemistry teacher whose involvement in the illegal drug trade transformed his family’s life.
Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, portrayed a character with the same condition. His performance gave visibility to an underrepresented community in mainstream television and became an important part of his work towards greater inclusion in entertainment.
Beyond Breaking Bad, Mitte appeared in Switched at Birth and continued to pursue film and television projects while advocating for greater opportunities for performers with disabilities.
He also supported philanthropic initiatives and worked with organisations dedicated to disability awareness.
His death has drawn tributes from across the entertainment industry, with former colleagues remembering not only his work on screen but also the personal relationships he built throughout his career.
- Breaking Bad
- Hollywood
- RJ Mitte
