Aaron Paul remembered his “Breaking Bad” co-star RJ Mitte as an “inspiration” as he recalled the last time they saw each other.
“The last time we saw each other I kept calling you Superman,” Paul, 47, captioned an upload of Mitte speaking out about mental help in a throwback video, adding, “You reminded me of him.”
Paul continued, “You reminded me of him because you always led with kindness and strength. It was blinding.”
The “El Camino” actor went on, noting that Mitte — who had cerebral palsy — was “born into a world with challenges” but “never let any of that stand in [his] way.”
“What an absolute tragic loss,” the “Bojack Horseman” actor lamented in part. “I loved your laugh and how much fun you had riding the wave we were all blessed to be on with Breaking Bad.”
Paul concluded in the emotional post that he hoped “whoever is reading this note that feels lost or sad or uncertain about the future” would “please say something.”
“Life is so damn special,” he wrote, adding, “Connect with someone you care about and say I love you. RJ, I love you my friend. I’m so sorry.”
Paul — who played Jesse Pinkman on the beloved series — previously wrote in a statementobtained by the Hollywood Reporter that he was “at a loss” following Mitte’s death on Monday.
“I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend,” he wrote. “You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White opposite his onscreen son Walter Jr., played by Mitte, wrote via Instagram that he was in “despair” over the loss of Mitte at the age of 34, and that he “loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series.”
A rep confirmed the actor’s death to Page Six in a statement.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” they wrote.
“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.”
Mitte’s Brownville, Texas community was in shock following news of the actor’s death.
“RJ was a beloved member of our community, and his passing has left us shocked and heartbroken,” Cameron County Justice of the Peace Judge, Cyndi Hinojosa previously told Page Six, noting that his family has “deep roots” there.
“In recent years, RJ built on those connections, becoming actively involved with local residents and the arts community and helping open a cultural museum,” Hinojosa continued. “He meant so much to this community, and his loss will be deeply felt.”
His reps confirmed to Page Six on Tuesday that Mitte died by suicide. A manner of death is pending and will be determined following an autopsy.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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