RJ Mitte auditioned 5 times for Breaking Bad: What he revealed about landing the role that changed his life

RJ Mitte, who got fame and immense recognition for playing Walter White Jr. in the acclaimed television series Breaking Bad, died at the age of 34. On-screen, he played the role of a physically disable son of a methamphetamine kingpin, but it was his lived experience with cerebal palsy that further informed his role. The news of the actor in Texas was confirmed in a statement by the talent management agency, as per Reuters. The statement read, "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte."

The actor once revealed that landing the role as Walter White Jr required five auditions before he finally secured his life-changing break. In an interview with Disability Horizons, the actor recalled travelling between Los Angeles and New Mexico during the audition process. He also opened up about the real-life inspiration behind Walter Jr. and explained how his own experience with cerebral palsy differed from that of his character, offering insight into his approach to the memorable role.

RJ Mitte revealed how he landed his role in Breaking Bad

Speaking to Disability Horizons, RJ Mitte recalled auditioning five times before being cast as Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s character in Breaking Bad. The actor explained that he attended four auditions in Los Angeles and travelled to New Mexico for the fifth, while he was living in Los Angeles at the time.


Mitte admitted that the process was not straightforward, particularly because his sister was working on a project for Universal at the time. However, he remained glad that he pursued the opportunity, describing it as the break that changed his life forever.

Walter White Jr. was inspired by a real person, RJ Mitte revealed

During the same interview with Disability Horizons, Mitte was asked whether Walter Jr. had already been written as a character with a disability before he joined the series.The actor explained that the character was based on a real person with cerebral palsy. According to Mitte, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan drew inspiration from a friend he had known in college, and that person became the basis for Walter Jr.

The revelation offered insight into the origins of one of the show's central characters and the inspiration behind his portrayal.

RJ Mitte explained how his cerebral palsy differed from Walter Jr.'s

Mitte also addressed whether his own experience with cerebral palsy was similar to that of Walter Jr. He described the answer as both yes and no, explaining that while there were similarities, the condition affected each person differently. The actor stressed that every individual with cerebral palsy experiences symptoms in a unique way. As he explained to Disability Horizons, no two people have exactly the same type of cerebral palsy or identical experiences with the condition.

RJ Mitte said Walter Jr. had a more severe form of cerebral palsy

In a separate interview with ABC News, Mitte was asked about portraying Walter Jr. with a more severe form of cerebral palsy than he experienced himself. The interviewer also asked what it was like to act and speak in a way that reflected greater difficulties than those the actor personally faced. Mitte explained that using crutches played a significant role in bringing the character to life. He clarified that he was not dramatically exaggerating his condition for the performance, although he stuttered somewhat more at the time. He added that he had also experienced more stuttering when he was younger.

Reflecting on Walter Jr.'s development throughout the series, Mitte explained that the character eventually came to be seen beyond his crutches and condition. What mattered, he said, was that viewers saw an individual who was thriving, standing up for what he believed in and trying to keep his family together.