"Breaking Bad" actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte dies at 34

American actor RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. in the award-winning television series "Breaking Bad", has died at the age of 34. His representatives informed the news agency AFP on Monday. Mitte lived with cerebral palsy, and the cause of death has not yet been revealed.

The announcement was issued by Sean Reilly, who described Mitte as a beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate advocate for disability rights.

Role and public work

Mitte first appeared in "Breaking Bad" in 2008 as a teenager, the son of Walter White, a chemistry teacher who becomes a drug kingpin. Bryan Cranston won global acclaim for playing White. According to Reilly, Mitte drew on his own experience with cerebral palsy to bring authenticity to the part and built a platform around disability awareness and inclusion.

That work grew into roles as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and for Shriners Children's, a non-profit hospital network. Mitte also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, and used his profile to challenge stereotypes and promote better representation of people with disabilities.

"Breaking Bad" ran for five seasons between 2008 and 2013. The New York Times recently named it the best TV show of the 21st century.

Tributes from colleagues

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, White's young partner in crime, said he was "at a loss" and expressed his love for Mitte, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He also urged anyone struggling to remember they are loved and not alone.

Dean Norris, who played Mitte's on-screen uncle, a Drug Enforcement Agency special agent, said he was "heartbroken" and recalled looking out for Mitte as a young boy on set. Actor and disability campaigner Marlee Matlin, who appeared with Mitte in the documentary "Cinemability: The Art of Inclusion", said her heart was "shattered". Matlin was the first deaf actress to win an Oscar.