BREAKING BAD ACTOR RJ MITTE DIES AGED 34

The actor RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr in Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34, his representatives confirmed on Monday. His representatives gave a statement to the entertainment trade publications Variety and Deadline, describing him as "a beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate." One report said no cause of death had been given. Another report stated that he died by suicide. His representatives' statement did not address the circumstances of his death.

Mitte played Walter White Jr, son of the drama's central character, appearing in 56 episodes of the AMC series. Breaking Bad received widespread critical acclaim during its broadcast run. Mitte had cerebral palsy, the same condition carried by the character he portrayed. Speaking in a 2015 interview, he said that taking on roles written for disabled characters carried professional risk. "It's all about how you play those parts – you have to show the inner strength that people have," he said.

Mitte used his acting career to campaign for greater disability representation across the entertainment industry. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy, a charity supporting people with the condition. He also held the position of president of the Mitte Foundation, a philanthropic organisation. His representatives said he would be remembered for his advocacy work as well as his screen career. Further details on his death had not been released at the time of the statement.