Bryan Cranston mourns RJ Mitte, calls death a suicide

The Breaking Bad star expressed deep despair on Instagram, noting Mitte’s advocacy for disability rights and confirming the cause of death as suicide.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 04:02:23 GMT

Bryan Cranston posted an Instagram tribute on Monday night after RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on "Breaking Bad," died at age 34. Cranston wrote that Mitte’s death was a suicide and reflected on the actor’s career and advocacy.

What happened

RJ Mitte’s representatives announced his death on Oct. 12, 2026. The actor, known for his role as Walter "Flynn" White Jr., was 34 and had cerebral palsy. Both Variety and Page Six reported that Cranston’s Instagram message was published on Oct. 13, 2026, and that he described his grief as "deep despair" and confirmed the cause of death as suicide.

What the reports add

Variety provided Cranston’s full statement, including his recollection of meeting Mitte when he was 14 and casting him in 2007, and highlighted Mitte’s work as a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities. Page Six reproduced the same Instagram caption and added that Cranston’s post featured a younger photo of the two together. Both outlets quoted the same passage about Mitte’s determination to meet the demanding shooting schedule despite his disability.

What was said

"I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died," Cranston wrote, according to Variety.

"I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm."

He added, "Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never – ever – allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination." (Variety)

Cranston also noted, "He was one of the stars of a hit TV show – but still a kid. That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor." (Variety)

How it came about

Felo News previously reported on Mitte’s death on Oct. 12, noting the actor’s advocacy for disability rights but not confirming a cause (see RJ Mitte death). Crancran’s tribute adds the cause and personal reflections that were not included in the earlier Felo piece.