Dean Norris Pays Tribute to ‘Breaking Bad’ Co-Star RJ Mitte After His Death at 34

Actor Dean Norris said Monday he was “heartbroken” after learning that RJ Mitte, his co-star on the Emmy-winning series “Breaking Bad,” had died at 34.

“Was working, just found out about RJ,” Norris, who played DEA agent Hank Schrader on the show, wrote in a post on X on Monday evening. “I am heartbroken.”

Mitte played Walter “Flynn” White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White and Anna Gunn’s Skyler White, in 56 episodes of the AMC drama, which ran from 2008 to 2013. Mitte, who had cerebral palsy, used his fame to push for disability rights and more disability representation in film and television. His representative, Sean Reilly, confirmed the death in a statement to USA Today.

Mitte was declared dead at 1:32 p.m. local time at his residence in Brownsville, Texas, on Monday, Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told USA Today. His representatives gave no immediate cause of death. TMZ, citing a county official, described the death as an apparent suicide; law enforcement told TMZ an investigation into his passing remains ongoing, according to the Daily Caller.

Norris remembers his co-star

“Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set,” Norris wrote. “He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. Thinking of him and his family.”

Roles beyond the show

Mitte’s other credits included the films “The Oak Room” and “The Recall,” and the Netflix series “The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!).” He spoke often about life with cerebral palsy and became one of Hollywood’s most visible disability rights advocates.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.

Reporting based on coverage by USA Today, NorthJersey.com and the Daily Caller.