RJ Mitte dies at 34: What to know about Cerebral Palsy, the condition he shared with his ‘Breaking Bad’ character

Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte has died at the age of 34. Besides being a famous actor, he also spoke up for people with disabilities and worked to challenge the stereotypes they often face. He was best known for playing Walter White Jr. in the famous show Breaking Bad

RJ Mitte was suffering from cerebral palsy. It is a condition that affects movement and coordination. Here is what to know about the condition and the work he did to raise awareness.

What happened to RJ Mitte

The Brownsville Police Department told PEOPLE that officers went to Mitte’s home after receiving a call at 12:50 p.m. local time. They found him dead when they arrived.

Police said the cause and manner of death had not yet been determined and that an investigation was ongoing. A judge declared Mitte dead at 1:32 p.m., PEOPLE reported. The judge said there were no apparent signs of foul play. A medical examiner will determine the official manner of death following an autopsy.

Mitte’s representative announced his death in a statement, saying: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,”

The representative also asked people to respect the privacy of Mitte’s family and loved ones.RJ Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranstons character in all five seasons of the show Breaking Bad. His representative said he brought "authenticity" to the role because he also had palsy.

What is cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movement, balance and posture as, per the Mayo Clinic. It happens when damage affects a developing brain most often before birth. Signs usually appear during infancy or the preschool years.

The condition looks different from person to person.Some people have muscles and find it hard to walk steadily. Others may have trouble with balance, coordination or simple tasks that need hand movements.

It can also affect speech, eating and swallowing. Some people, with palsy have seizures or vision or hearing problems but not everyone experiences these difficulties.

There is no cure. The brain condition itself generally does not change over time. However muscle stiffness and other physical problems can become more noticeable as a person gets older. People who get treatment often find it easier to do things they need to do every day.

He used his public profile to speak about disability and inclusion. His representative said he “built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”



Mitte worked as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He also ran The Mitte Foundation, which helped with work and community projects. He used these positions to fight against stereotypes and call for representation of people with disabilities. For viewers, Mitte will always be closely linked to Breaking Bad. His advocacy work, however, reached beyond television and helped bring attention to the experiences of people living with disabilities.