“Breaking Bad ”star RJ Mitte revealed what he wanted to be doing at age 50 just days before death

Shelby StivaleTue, October 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM UTC

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RJ Mitte in June 2025Credit: Hatnim Lee/GettyKey Points -

RJ Mitte spoke about what he hoped his life would look like at age 50, days before his death.

The Breaking Bad star died at age 34 on Oct. 12.

His death has been ruled a suicide.

Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte discussed what his life would look like at age 50 in a podcast released days before his death.

“I would hope to stay true to what I believe and to what I want to achieve and not be a grumpy middle-aged person. A curmudgeon,” Mitte said on the Brownsville in Motion podcast on Oct. 3, explaining that he already has “a lot of hip pain” due to his cerebral palsy.

“I have this image in my head. I’ve had it for a long time,” Mitte continued. “I’m going be like 50, 60 years old just being like all shriveled. So, diet and exercise is key for me.”

Entertainment Weekly confirmed on Oct. 12 that Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on five seasons of Breaking Bad, died at age 34. EW’s sister site PEOPLE has since confirmed that the actor died by suicide.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights activist RJ Mitte,” the actor’s rep shared in a statement. “At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones.”

The Brownsville Police Department in Texas has since confirmed that an autopsy will also be performed.

Aside from his role on Breaking Bad, Mitte was also known for being a disability rights activist. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3 and was the president of Texas-based nonprofit The Mitte Foundation, which aims to improve quality of life in Central Texas.

“I hope it continues to maintain its missions,” Mitte said of the foundation during his Oct. 3 podcast appearance. “We are a very strong team in the foundation. Luckily for us, it’s set before us. It’s about growing the endowment. Still maintaining our community relationships.”

Over the next 50 years, Mitte wanted to help “continue to put kids in schools” through the foundation’s scholarships. He added, “To provide those resources and tools to give more education, more opportunity. Our scholars at the Mitte Foundation, we have some of the best and brightest kids.”

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In the wake of Mitte’s death, several Breaking Bad cast members have spoken out with tributes honoring the late actor. Bryan Cranston, who played the actor’s onscreen dad, shared a lengthy statement via Instagram on Monday.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died,” the actor captioned a photo of himself with Mitte. “I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm.”

Bryan Cranston and RJ Mitte on ‘Breaking Bad’Credit: Lewis Jacobs/AMC

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Cranston wrote that Mitte “never - ever - allowed” his cerebral palsy to be “an excuse for anything,” especially not what he did on the Breaking Bad set. “He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination,” the actor continued.

“That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor,” Cranston shared. “He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community. All that promise and potential now is such a loss.”

Cranston concluded, telling fans that he and Mitte were “texting each other” recently with plans to meet up for lunch.

“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future,” Cranston shared. “But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed…I’ll miss you, son.”

Watch Mitte’s full Brownsville in Motion podcast appearance above.

on Entertainment Weekly

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