Family members, friends and supporters of RJ Mitte have gathered in Texas to celebrate the life of the actor, who died at the age of 34.
The memorial took place on Friday at the Mitte Cultural District, a family organisation in Brownsville, where loved ones came together to pay their respects following his death on Monday.
Mitte became widely known for playing Walter “Flynn” White Jr in the acclaimed television series Breaking Bad. His death was later confirmed to have been a suicide.
Sister Describes Actor as Both Brother and Father
Mitte’s younger sister, Lacianne Carriere, delivered an emotional tribute during the memorial, describing the loss as the death of both a sibling and a father figure.
“RJ Mitte was my older brother but I not only just lost a brother, I lost my father,” Carriere said.
She explained that their mother was raising the family alone and suffered an accident when Carriere was two weeks old, leaving her paralysed from the waist down for the first few years of her daughter’s life.
According to Carriere, Mitte stepped into a fatherly role within the family. She said she saw aspects of her brother in her interests, including the music she listened to, the games she played and their shared mannerisms.
She also spoke about his affection for Brownsville, describing the city as his home and thanking those who attended the memorial.
Carriere Urges People Experiencing Difficulties to Seek Help
During her speech, Carriere encouraged anyone facing personal difficulties to reach out for support rather than feel isolated.
She urged people to accept help and make an effort to contact others when they were struggling.
Carriere also pledged to continue Mitte’s work and pursue the dreams he had for the Brownsville community, saying his legacy in the city would continue.
She ended her tribute with a light-hearted reference to her brother’s truck, telling attendees she would not sell it because it now belonged to her.
Mitte’s grandmother also spoke at the gathering as family and friends remembered the actor.
‘Breaking Bad’ Role Brought Mitte International Recognition
Mitte appeared in 56 episodes of Breaking Bad between 2008 and 2013, playing the son of Walter White, portrayed by Bryan Cranston.
The series follows Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with a terminal illness who becomes involved in the production of methamphetamine alongside his former student Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul.
Mitte later credited the programme with transforming his career and creating opportunities he would not otherwise have had.
In an interview with The Independent in 2021, he said the role had raised his public profile and helped open doors for his subsequent projects.
He also reflected on his connection to the series in a 2019 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, saying he expected the role to remain associated with him throughout his life.
Actor Used His Platform to Advocate for Disability Inclusion
Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of three and became an advocate for greater representation of disabled people in the entertainment industry.
His representative described him as an actor, philanthropist and disability rights advocate in a statement announcing his death. The statement also noted his work as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
Mitte frequently spoke about the importance of portraying disabled characters on television and creating more opportunities for disabled people both in front of and behind the camera.
In a 2023 interview with WUWF, he said positive representations of people with disabilities could influence public attitudes and help viewers facing similar challenges develop confidence and self-esteem.
He also called for television to feature disabled people discussing subjects beyond their impairments.
In 2016, he told the Irish Examiner, according to Variety, that representation should extend beyond major sporting events such as the Paralympics and become a regular part of television programming.
Mitte Spoke About His Disability and Family Responsibilities
The actor said his experience of living with cerebral palsy had influenced his career, including his portrayal of Walter White Jr.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without my disability,” he said, explaining that he drew on his experiences when developing the character.
Born in Mississippi, Mitte learned he had been adopted when he was approximately six years old. In a 2019 interview, he said he had not felt a need to search for his birth mother, although he expressed an interest in learning more about his medical family history.
He also spoke about his mother’s health difficulties and the financial pressure the family faced after a car accident left her partially paralysed for six years and cost her her job.
Mitte recalled taking on odd jobs, including mowing lawns and transporting items, to help the family financially. He said he had devoted his life to supporting his mother and sister.
His mother had adopted him after being told she might not be able to have children following an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Carriere was born 11 years later.
Tributes Highlight His Legacy Beyond Television
Mitte’s career extended beyond his best-known role in Breaking Bad, while his advocacy work focused on improving opportunities and visibility for people with disabilities.
At the Brownsville memorial, his sister’s tribute highlighted his close relationship with his family and his attachment to the community.
Carriere said she intended to continue working towards the goals her brother had envisioned for the city.
In the United States, people experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress can call or text the confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Support is also available through the online chat service at 988lifeline.org.
