Aaron Paul has broken his silence on the death of RJ Mitte.
Paul, 47, who starred alongside Mitte for five seasons on AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” shared an emotional tribute on Instagram late Tuesday that recalled their final encounter. The “El Camino” actor posted a throwback video of Mitte speaking about mental health alongside a lengthy caption addressed directly to his late co-star.
“The last time we saw each other I kept calling you Superman,” Paul wrote on Instagram. “You reminded me of him.”
Paul continued in the post, explaining the nickname came from Mitte’s character. “You reminded me of him because you always led with kindness and strength. It was blinding.”
The tribute took on added weight as Paul noted Mitte’s lifelong health challenges. Mitte, who was 34, had cerebral palsy, a condition he shared with his onscreen character Walter “Flynn” White Jr. Paul emphasized that Mitte “was born into a world with challenges” but “never let any of that stand in [his] way.”
The tone shifted sharply as Paul confronted the circumstances of Mitte’s death, which representatives confirmed on Tuesday was by suicide. “What an absolute tragic loss,” Paul lamented. “I loved your laugh and how much fun you had riding the wave we were all blessed to be on with Breaking Bad.”
Paul’s Instagram post carried an urgent public plea that doubled as a memorial. “I hope whoever is reading this note that feels lost or sad or uncertain about the future please say something,” he wrote. “Life is so damn special. Connect with someone you care about and say I love you. RJ, I love you my friend. I’m so sorry.”
This was not Paul’s only statement. In remarks obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the actor had earlier written that he was “at a loss” following news of Mitte’s death on Monday. “I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend,” he said in the statement. “You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Bryan Cranston, 69, who played Mitte’s onscreen father Walter White, also mourned the loss via Instagram. The veteran actor wrote that he was in “despair” over Mitte’s death, adding that he “loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series.”
Mitte’s representatives had confirmed his death in an initial statement on Monday. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” they wrote. The statement highlighted how Mitte “brought authenticity” to his groundbreaking role and “built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
The loss reverberated far beyond Hollywood. In Mitte’s hometown of Brownsville, Texas, Cameron County Justice of the Peace Judge Cyndi Hinojosa said that the community was “shocked and heartbroken.” She noted that Mitte’s family had “deep roots” in the area and that in recent years he had become “actively involved with local residents and the arts community and helping open a cultural museum,” Hinojosa added, “He meant so much to this community, and his loss will be deeply felt.”
An autopsy is pending to determine the official manner of death.
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.