Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston pays heartbreaking tribute to on-screen son RJ Mitte following death aged 34

Bryan Cranston has paid an emotional tribute to Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte following his death at 34.

Representatives for Mitte confirmed he tragically passed away on Monday (12 October) in Brownsville, Texas.

In a statement, the rep said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte.

"RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter 'Flynn' White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad.

"Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion. Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s."

No cause of death has been confirmed.

(Unique Nicole/Getty Images)

The rep added: “At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones.”

In a heartbreaking post shared online, Cranston paid tribute to his ‘sweet’ on-screen son.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. 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,” he wrote.

“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.

Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him - but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show - but still a kid.”

Cranston went on to say that Mitte had been ‘pretty raw’ when filming the show’s pilot back in 2007 but that ‘little by little’ he saw him grow into a ‘really fine actor’.

“He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community,” he continued. “All that promise and potential now is such a loss.”

Cranston said the pair had been texting each other just a few weeks ago and were arranging to meet up for lunch and expressed his sadness that they hadn’t been able to meet up sooner.

He wrote: “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.”