Bryan Cranston has shared a heartfelt tribute to RJ Mitte, the actor who portrayed his son Walter White Jr. in the hit crime drama ‘Breaking Bad’. Mitte died at the age of 34, with Cranston remembering him as a beloved co-star whose potential and commitment to disability representation made a lasting impression.

In an emotional Instagram post following news of Mitte’s death on October 12, Cranston expressed his grief over losing the actor, whom he had first met when he was just 14 and had been cast as Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, in the AMC series.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” Cranston wrote.

The actor reflected on watching Mitte grow from a teenage newcomer into an established performer. ‘Breaking Bad’, which aired from 2008 to 2013, followed the story of Walter White, a chemistry teacher who turns to manufacturing drugs, and his family’s struggles as his criminal life spirals out of control.

Cranston also acknowledged Mitte’s determination to build a career in the entertainment industry while championing greater visibility and opportunities for people with disabilities. Mitte, who had cerebral palsy, used his public platform to advocate for inclusion and better representation of disabled performers on screen.

Reflecting on the loss, Cranston wrote, “All that promise and potential now is such a loss.”

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The ‘Breaking Bad’ star also revealed that the two had exchanged text messages a few weeks before Mitte’s death as they tried to arrange a lunch together. The meeting, however, never materialised, leaving Cranston with the regret of not having had the chance to see his former co-star again.

Ending his tribute with an emotional farewell, Cranston wrote, “I’ll miss you, son.”

He also urged people experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help and shared the US 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number in his post.

Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Walter White, portrayed by Cranston, and Skyler White, played by Anna Gunn, across all five seasons of ‘Breaking Bad’. Beyond the acclaimed series, he appeared in projects including ‘Switched at Birth’, ‘The Guardians of Justice’ and the film ‘Triumph’.

Mitte was also known for his advocacy for disability awareness and representation, working to encourage greater inclusion of performers with disabilities in film and television.

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Tributes also poured in from other members of the ‘Breaking Bad’ cast. Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in the series, expressed his affection for Mitte, while Dean Norris remembered him as “a sweetheart of a young man” and shared his heartbreak over the news.