RJ Mitte’s stepbrother had told him he was adopted at 6: What the actor later revealed about his family

RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad, once opened up about a childhood revelation that changed how he understood his family. The actor said he was around six when his stepbrother told him he had been adopted, adding that his parents later confirmed the news. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Mitte recalled the words that accompanied the revelation and explained why he never felt compelled to search for his birth mother, despite wanting to know more about his medical history.

RJ Mitte recalled learning about his adoption as a child

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Mitte explained that his stepbrother discovered the truth after overhearing a conversation between Mitte’s mother and his then-stepfather. He subsequently told the young actor that he was adopted and added that his parents did not love him. Mitte recalled initially refusing to believe the claim. However, his parents confirmed that he had been adopted, and he remembered responding with a matter-of-fact “Okay”.

Why RJ Mitte never felt the need to find his birth mother

Despite the revelation, Mitte had said he had never felt an urgent need to trace his birth mother. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, he had explained that knowing his biological family history could be useful from a medical perspective, particularly given his cerebral palsy diagnosis. However, he felt he already had enough family and friends in his life.


The actor had also shared the circumstances behind his adoption. According to Mitte, his mother had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had been told she would not be able to have children. His younger sister, Lacianne, was born 11 years after his adoption.

RJ Mitte spoke about his childhood and cerebral palsy

Mitte was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy at the age of three. In his interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, he said his parents, Roy Frank and Dyna, separated when he was just two months old. Following their divorce, he spent time at his paternal grandparents’ ranch in Texas and his maternal grandparents’ farm in Louisiana. He also wore leg braces during childhood.

Mitte described his diagnosis as something that encouraged him to work on both his physical and mental well-being. He said the experience gave him a different perspective on humanity and how people interact with one another.

RJ Mitte’s career and disability rights advocacy

Mitte rose to international recognition as Walter White Jr., the son of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, in AMC’s crime drama Breaking Bad, which aired from 2008 to 2013. Before landing the breakthrough role, he appeared in smaller television parts. Beyond acting, Mitte worked as a film producer and model and advocated for people with disabilities. He served as a Screen Actors Guild spokesman for actors with disabilities and as a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy. In 2013, he received the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award.

Mitte also founded the Mitte Foundation, a nonprofit organisation. His work focused on raising awareness of cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

RJ Mitte’s death confirmed by his representative

News of Mitte’s death in Brownsville, Texas, was confirmed in a statement released through the talent management agency representing him. According to reports by Variety, his representative confirmed that the actor died by suicide. Mitte was 34. His portrayal of Walter White Jr. made him widely recognised, while his advocacy brought attention to the experiences of people living with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.