Bryan Cranston Breaks His Silence After Death of ‘Breaking Bad’ Co-Star RJ Mitte: ‘I’m in Deep Despair’

Bryan Cranston is speaking out after the tragic passing of his Breaking Bad son RJ Mitte.

RJ, who was a disability rights advocate living with cerebral palsy and was best known for his role as Walter White Jr. on the hit AMC series, died on Monday (October 12) in an apparent suicide. He was 34-years-old.

Hours later, the 70-year-old Emmy-winning actor, who starred as Walter White on Breaking Bad, took to Instagram to mourn RJ.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” Bryan began. “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.”

“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,” Bryan continued. “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.”

“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 recalled. “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.”

Bryan then went on to recall one of the last times he spoke to RJ.

“All that promise and potential now is such a loss. It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life,” Bryan wrote. “Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago – figuring out when we could 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… I’ll miss you, son.”

He concluded by sharing a message with anyone who may also be going through a difficult time.

“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/),” Bryan shared. “There is hope.”

Via: Just Jared