Breaking Bad Actor RJ Mitte's Cause of Death Revealed

Oct 13, 2026 - 07:15

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‘Breaking Bad’ Actor RJ Mitte's Cause of Death Revealed

Content warning: This story discusses suicide.

More details have been shared about RJ Mitte's death.

After a rep for the Breaking Bad star confirmed he died in Texas on Oct. 12, his cause of death has now been revealed. The 34-year-old died by suicide, his rep confirmed to People.

Before his passing, Mitte had been open about how his diagnosis with cerebral palsy at age 3 affected his mental health.

"Cerebral palsy and mental health go hand in hand because when you have a physical disability you're twice as likely to be bullied," he said in 2015, according to the Australian Broadcast Corporation, telling Brain Health that year, "One thing I've learned from my disability is that when there is an obstacle, you adapt and grow. You can't let that obstacle break you down and discourage you."

Indeed, the actor had used his platform to raise awareness for cerebral palsy, which affects mobility.

"With the work I've done," he said on the Oct. 5 episode of The Joe Vulpis Podcast, "with people with disabilities and equal opportunity, employment and advocacy and really just trying to remind people that they have a voice and lend my voice, that's really the greatest thing that Breaking Bad has given me."

Mitte had been busy working in the weeks before this death. He made his last public appearance on Sept. 30, stepping out in Beverly Hills, Calif., for a screening of his movie Talking To Strangers and was also preparing for the release of his horror film One Eye Open on Oct. 16.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Still, Mitte remained best known for playing Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013.

"It's unbelievable. It's truly life-changing," he told Joe Vulpis about the show's lasting legacy. "Back then, we really didn't realize how impactful the show was going to be. I spent my teenage life in Breaking Bad."

Cole Bennetts/Getty Images for GQ Australia

The AMC show also gave him a TV family, with his costars speaking out to honor him after his passing.

“I am at a loss," Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Oct. 12. "I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend. You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”

Fellow Breaking Bad costar Dean Norris—who played Mitte's uncle, Hank Schrader—shared that he was "heartbroken" to learn of his death.

"Though RJ didn’t play my TV son, I always looked out for him as a young kid on set," he wrote on X. "He was a sweetheart of a young man and will be greatly missed. This is so heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Thinking of him and his family."

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

But offscreen, Mitte had real-life chemistry with fiancée Kennedy Suarez.

"I'm thrilled to have found my person, my partner in life who makes me want to be better, no matter what we're doing," Mitte told People in October 2025 after announcing their engagement. "Kennedy is my everything and I can't wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next."

Read on for a look at his life through the years.

Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

2008

ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

2009

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

2010

JB Lacroix/WireImage

2011

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2012

Dave Hogan/MTV 2013/Getty Images for MTV

2013

Jennifer Lourie/FilmMagic

2014

Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for IMG

2015

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

2016

Cole Bennetts/Getty Images for GQ Australia

2017

Noam Galai/Getty Images for Runway Of Dreams Foundation

2018

Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

2019

John Sciulli/Getty Images for Neuro Brands

2020

Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

2022

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

2023

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2025

Unique Nicole/Getty Images

2026

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.