RJ Mitte of hit show Breaking Bad: Pity the bully

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RJ MitteRJ Mitte

Life did not begin easily for RJ Mitte. When he was 3 years old, the now famous actor was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a physical disorder that often affects the brain.

His feet were placed in casts as he learned to walk with straightened feet, and he spent much of his childhood using crutches.

Mitte didn’t let leg braces – or much else – slow him down. In 2008, at the age of 14, Mitte was offered the role of Walter White Jr. in the smash-hit TV show, Breaking Bad. He immediately found a home playing Walter White’s breakfast-loving son, who also had cerebral palsy, and he soon leapt into other entertainment related endeavors like modeling and producing.

“I was 14 years old when I started [Breaking Bad] and I ended it at 20, turning 21. And it gave me the career and it gave me the opportunity,” says Mitte. “You can work on documentaries, you can work on non-profit work, work with different organizations, and this show gave me the opportunity to do that.”

Becoming an actor not only realized a longtime dream for Mitte, it also provided him with the opportunity to raise awareness about disabled actors in Hollywood. Along with many of disability advocacy groups, Mitte has noticed a gross misrepresentation of reality in film and television.

RJ Mitte - Pity the bully

Life did not begin easily for RJ Mitte. When he was 3 years old, the now famous actor was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a physical disorder that often affects the brain.

Over the years, Mitte has become involved in many awareness building groups, such as United Cerebral Palsy and the Screen Actors Guild union for Performers with Disabilities. Most recently, he became the celebrity face for Shriner’s Hospital #CutTheBull campaign. As a victim of bullying himself, Mitte is dedicated to helping other people with disabilities feel accepted and loved by their peers.

RJ sits down with Mike Walter to talk about his growth as an actor, and how he uses his life in the public eye to raise awareness for a cause that hits close to home.

Follow RJ Mitte on Twitter: @RjMitte
Follow Shriner’s Hospital on Twitter: @shrinershosp