RJ Mitte’s mother has paid tribute to the Breaking Bad actor after his death by suicide at the age of 34, describing his “deep empathy”, “neverending curiosity” and the impact he had on his family and community.
Dyna Mitte said she was “lost” without her son but wanted the work of The Mitte Foundation in Brownsville, Texas, to continue. The non-profit was founded by RJ’s paternal grandparents and aims to improve the quality of life of Central Texans.
“What can I say about my precious child?” she wrote in an Instagram tribute. “From the day we got RJ at 3 days old, he has been inspiring and sharing his heart with everyone he met.”
She said that learning to manage and eventually thrive with cerebral palsy, as well as finding success in acting, had required hard work, but that he was “always ready for the next challenge”.
Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three and became known internationally for playing Walter White’s son, Walt Jr, in Breaking Bad. He was adopted as a newborn by Dyna and her then-husband, Roy Frank Mitte Jr.
Dyna recalled the joy of watching her son connect with people, saying he “instantly charmed his way into people’s lives like they were family”. She also described travelling with him for professional commitments, saying he knew historical facts and places to visit wherever they went, from Florida to Lithuania.
She praised his “deep empathy for those who needed him to be their voice”, adding: “It was never a burden, but a role he loved to play.”
“We are lost without him, yet we know he wouldn’t want us to be,” she wrote. “He would want his message heard and the work we were doing with The Mitte Foundation in Brownsville to continue.”
RJ Mitte’s mother describes the warning sign
Dyna previously said that her son’s death had been unexpected because he appeared to be doing well professionally and had been speaking to a therapist.
“Parents should listen to their children and watch for signs. I thought RJ was in a place where we had gotten over the hump and that he was okay,” she said.
She said she realised there was a “red flag” when he failed to answer the phone, as they spoke regularly. Dyna added that conversations with RJ, his team and friends had caused her concern, prompting her to encourage him to speak to a counsellor.
She rejected speculation that career or financial difficulties had contributed to his death, saying he had three films released that year, two more due to come out, and several new projects agreed. She also said he had been planning a book and starting a food truck.
Dyna said a financial matter involving a former manager had happened years earlier, had been resolved and was not connected to what happened recently.
She said there had been personal difficulties and that RJ had spoken to his family, but they had not expected him to take his own life. She added that she believed he had suffered a mental-health setback and made the decision during a “weak moment”.
“A mother should never have to find her child that way,” she said. “It’s a hard pill to swallow.”
RJ Mitte was remembered at a Celebration of Life ceremony at the Mitte Center in Brownsville, Texas, on Friday. His former Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston said he was “in deep despair”, while Aaron Paul said: “I am at a loss. I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed.”
