RJ Mitte’s Breaking Bad co-star reveals final promise star made to him in his last days
RJ Mitte made his final public appearance alongside his Breaking Bad co-star Luis Moncada days before his death.
The actor, 34, died by suicide on Monday 12 October, his representative has confirmed.
Mitte, known for playing Walter White Jr in the hit AMC series in all five seasons, was found at his home in Brownsville, Texas.
Moncada, who played hitman Marco Salamanca in the drama, told TMZ that he spent time with Mitte in New Mexico earlier this month, where the pair enjoyed a hot-air balloon ride at the 54th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
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The 49-year-old explained that he had first noticed something was troubling Mitte when they met at a Comic Con event in England several weeks earlier. When they reunited in New Mexico, he became increasingly concerned about his friend's emotional wellbeing.
The actor said he had invited the disability activist to stay at his home with his son, hoping to give him an opportunity to relax away from the pressures of work and other responsibilities.
However, Mitte declined because he needed to return home after spending more than a month travelling.
Before saying goodbye, Moncada asked Mitte to make him a promise.
"He promised me he'll call me. He thanked me, bro," Moncada recalled, explaining that he had urged his friend to contact him whenever he felt he needed someone to talk to.
Whilst chatting outside Albuquerque airport before Mitte's departure, Moncada said Mitte told him: "I love you, man," before walking away.
"You can see it. I can see him walking away, bro. And I'm like, you just want to hug him, but you can't do more, you know," Moncada said to the outlet.
"If I could, I'm not going to lie, if I could, I would have tied him up and brought him home."
In a tribute posted on Instagram, Moncada wrote: “RIP RJ. I love you and I’ll miss you little brother.”
Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito added that Mitte ‘will live forever in my heart’.
He wrote on Instagram: “No words can express what your friendship has meant to me.
“I will remember the laughter, the rapture of pure joy in the loving moments we have shared.
“I will remember the magnitude of your kindness, your philanthropy, your being in service to others before yourself.
“You will forever live in my heart, representing how pure love can change the world!
“Rest in peace. Now you are free. Fly with the angels.”
His on-screen dad Bryan Cranston also paid tribute, describing Mitte’s death as ‘devastating’ and urging others to seek help.
They had been exchanging messages ‘just a few weeks ago’ and had planned to meet up.
Cranston said: “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.
“I can’t stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
Topics: Breaking Bad, Celebrity
Anish Vij