NRT briefing
Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte dies aged 34
Based on reporting by BBC News.
The Brief
US actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr in the Emmy-winning drama series Breaking Bad, has died aged 34. His representative told the BBC that he died in Brownsville, Texas, with no immediate cause of death provided.
Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, drew on his own experience for the role, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2014. His representative Sean Reilly said Mitte "brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."
Mitte also served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's, and created The Mitte Foundation to support philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. Breaking Bad aired on AMC for five seasons from 2008 to 2013, earning 16 Primetime Emmy awards.
After rising to prominence, Mitte advocated for more varied roles and complex depictions of characters with disabilities. His other credits include Hannah Montana, Switched at Birth, and his latest project, Talking to Strangers.