RJ Mitte's Private Messages Reportedly Reveal a 'Brutal Biz' Hollywood Struggle Before His Tragic Passing

RJ Mitte's battle to be successful as an actor with cerebral palsy came to an unfortunate end following his death on Monday, 12 October.

Even with the success of his role in Breaking Bad, Mitte privately questioned Hollywood's reluctance to give disabled actors meaningful opportunities, even as he kept auditioning and developing his own projects.

Messages have been released that reveal Mitte's frustrations with the industry he fought to be recognised in.

RJ Mitte Expressed Frustration Over Lack of Opportunities

Mitte's frustration with Hollywood was encapsulated in a recurring problem: casting directors used his disability as a reason to exclude him from roles that had not been written specifically for disabled characters.

The Daily Mail obtained a private message from Mitte to a longtime friend from 2017, describing the uncomfortable reactions he encountered when he questioned the approach.

'When I go for a part, they sometimes tell me that it's not a character with a disability, and I'm like why can't the character be disabled?' he wrote.

Mitte believed that a character could have cerebral palsy without the narrative orbiting around the presence of the condition.

His most famous role as Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston's character in Breaking Bad, demonstrated his capabilities to play a character whose life extended beyond his disability.

Despite the show's success, Mitte struggled to find work as an actor. 'I can do any role, but some of [the casting agents and directors] are a**h****s who won't even look at me,' he wrote in another 2017 message.

Even when the actor kept auditioning, one of the shows he worked on got axed. 'Worked on a pilot that didn't go, a few months ago. Brutal biz,' he said.

Mitte Struggled To Find Work Even in Recent Years

Mitte's difficulty in finding roles affected his ability to plan for the future. When he completed an independent film project in Sydney, Australia, he explained in February 2019 that he wanted to find more work in the United States.

He said the project had been enjoyable, but that his prospects at home were still uncertain. 'I did a job in Sydney, and it was fun,' he wrote.

'But it's a film not going to be here, it's Australian, I hope I can find stuff here,' he added. 'I would like to work enough to keep my [health] insurance. Pain in the ass lol.'

When the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the entertainment industry in 2020, Mitte continued pursuing projects, including voice acting. He also realised that completing projects wouldn't be enough if casting professionals forgot he was available.

'I've got to figure out more work,' he wrote in June 2020. 'I need to keep myself relevant lol.' He later offered to do video interviews and other promotional opportunities, explaining, 'I just need to remind people to book me.'

He also believed that disabled actors faced even more difficulties due to the anxieties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, due to assumptions about their health and insurance requirements.

'Gotta convince people that I'm not going to die of Covid. There's a backlash about people with disabilities, they think that we can't be insured or that we are going to die in the middle of a scene, it's bullshit,' he lamented.

Cause of RJ Mitte's Tragic End Revealed as Co-Stars Mourn His Loss

According to a report from The Blast, RJ Mitte had died by suicide on Monday, 12 October, at the age of 34.

His representatives 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 statement also said Mitte used his experience living with cerebral palsy to bring authenticity to his role as Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad and promote disability awareness and inclusion.

His co-stars from the hit TV series paid tribute to his life and his role in their lives. Bryan Cranston posted an emotional message on Instagram in the hours following his death.

'RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. 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. Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination.'

'It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life,' he wrote. 'Why?'

Cranston said they had texted each other a few weeks prior in an attempt to plan lunch. 'I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future...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,' Cranston said to end the tribute.