RJ Mitte was honored by several former Breaking Bad costars one month after his death.
Photos obtained by Page Six on Sunday, November 8, showed Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Bob Odenkirk honoring Mitte at the late actor’s celebration of life.
Jonathan Banks and Raymond Cruz were also in attendance alongside other friends. The solemn event was held at Hope Lutheran Church in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7.
News broke in October that Mitte, a disability rights advocate, died by suicide. He was 34.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” Mitte’s rep said in a statement to Us at the time. “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the [Breaking Bad] role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
Mitte had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 3 years old and went on to play Cranston’s onscreen son in Breaking Bad, with his character also having CP.
“Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s,” his rep said in the statement. “He also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.”
Mitte’s spokesperson went on to ask that the public “respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones” as they grieve his death. After his death, Mitte’s Breaking Bad costars — including Cranston — paid tribute to him.
“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. 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,” Cranston wrote via Instagram in October. “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. Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him — but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way … He was one of the stars of a hit TV show — but still a kid.”
He continued, “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. He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential now is such a loss. It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why?”
Cranston shared that the pair were “texting each other just a few weeks ago” and trying to find a time to meet for lunch.
“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed…” Cranston wrote. “I’ll miss you, son. I can’t stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
