RJ Mitte’s “Breaking Bad” co-stars gathered Saturday in Hollywood to honor the late actor at a celebration of life ceremony.
Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston and Bob Odenkirk joined other mourners at Hope Lutheran Church in Hollywood for the service, according to photographs from the event. Jonathan Banks and Raymond Cruz were also spotted among attendees, alongside friends including Gilles Marini.
The invitation directed guests to the church service at 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception at The Remix Room in Hollywood running from 3:30 p.m. To 7:30 p.m. Inside the venue, a large photograph of Mitte sat surrounded by floral arrangements.
Mitte, 34, died by suicide in Texas on Oct. 12. His spokesperson addressed the loss 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 spokesperson continued, “RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. On AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series ‘Breaking Bad.’ Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
Cranston, 70, who played Walter White opposite Mitte’s Flynn for five seasons from 2008 to 2013, mourned the actor in an emotional Instagram tribute. He wrote that it was “especially devastating to hear that he took his own life.”
“Why?” Cranston posted. “We were texting each other just a few weeks ago — figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future.”
Weeks before his death, Mitte had appeared on the “Brownsville in Motion” podcast, where he discussed how he envisioned his life at age 50. “I would hope to stay true to what I believe and to what I want to achieve,” he said. “And not be a grumpy middle-aged person … A curmudgeon.”
Mitte, diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3, noted during that same interview that he suffered from significant hip pain and expected he would be “all shriveled” in his later years. He also spoke about his aspirations for The Mitte Foundation, the non-profit organization he established to support people with disabilities.
The gathering marked a somber reunion for the cast of one of television’s most celebrated dramas, bringing together performers who had shared the screen with Mitte during the show’s groundbreaking run.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
