US actor RJ Mitte, best known for his role as the defiant son of drug kingpin Walter White in the drama series Breaking Bad, has died aged 34.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his representative told the BBC.
He died in Brownsville, Texas. No immediate cause of death was provided.
Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, drew on his own experience for his role as Walter White Jr in the Emmy-winning drama series starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. He earned a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014 for his work on the series.
“Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” his representative Sean Reilly said in a statement to the BBC.
Mitte also served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
He created The Mitte Foundation as well, to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, using his platform “to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities”, Reilly said.
Breaking Bad aired on US cable broadcaster AMC for five seasons from 2008 to 2013.
The anti-hero drama created by Vince Gilligan earned a whopping 58 Primetime Emmy nominations and won 16, including two for Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014. It is widely credited as being one of the best US TV series of the 21st century.
Cranston plays a high school chemistry teacher in New Mexico who turns to a life of crime to support his family after a cancer diagnosis. As he descends deeper into the underbelly of the meth trade, he drifts further from his son, Walt Jr, who made his displeasure known with levity through much of the series.
