Interview with Breaking Bad’s RJ Mitte

By Marriska Fernandes on March 18, 2014 | Leave a Comment


You may know RJ Mitte as Walter White Jr. from the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning AMC drama, Breaking Bad — the son of the cancer-stricken high school science teacher-turned-drug manufacturer Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. Just like his character on the show, RJ has cerebral palsy but a milder form of the disability than the character he played. Tribute chatted with him about his incredible success and his new television series, Switched at Birth.

How did you get the role on Breaking Bad?
I got the role on Breaking Bad by auditioning – I was at the right place at the right time. I auditioned four times. Finally. I flew in the morning to New Mexico, auditioned and got the job at 11:12 a.m.

How has the success of Breaking Bad changed your life?
It’s not so much the success, but working on the show of Breaking Bad and the people I was able to learn from – it’s really a wealth of knowledge I gained. It was a tremendous learning experience. I grew up on the set – I started when I was 14 and the show ended when I turned 21. It’s really been a pleasure.

What will you miss most about working on the show?
There are so many things that I’ll miss. We were able to bring so much to television that no one has been able to bring. It will always be missed.

What’s the biggest challenge when it comes to acting with cerebral palsy?
I think the biggest challenge is maintaining it – being able to keep a steady mind.

I read that your condition isn’t as severe in real life, how difficult was it play someone with severe CP?
I’ve been there; I know exactly what this kid was like and what it’s like to have the disability that he has. When you have something like that, it affects your life and affects the people around you. It’s one of the things that never changes. The people may change but the process never changes. It was nice to have a character with that disability on television. It made me realize everything that I had to overcome.

Since Breaking Bad, have any fans with CP reached out to you?
Yes, I’ve had quite a few fans that have reached out. I’ve talked to them. There are some extraordinary people in this world who will always surprise you and those people will never let you down – they’re truly remarkable. I find the fans that I have collected over the last several years are very loyal, dedicated and protective fans.

Can you tell us about your recurring role on Switched at Birth?
I’m playing a guy named Campbell who works at the free clinic. He helps Daphne when she’s in a bit of a situation and he happens to be on a wheelchair. He suffered from a spinal cord injury that he got after a snowboarding accident. He meets Daphne and a love triangle soon follows.

How many episodes will we see you in — are you going to be a series regular?
I did a few so far, I’m coming in and out. Whenever they call me, I’m there for them. I’m trying to keep moving forward and do more projects. I love working on the set but I’m always working or traveling. I like to stay busy.

You worked on Hannah Montana. What was that experience like?
I was working on the background and Hannah Montana was my first time on set and I learned a lot about the industry during that time.  I got to see how everything played out.

Do you still keep in touch with Miley Cyrus?
Not really. When you’re in music, you have no life. I have a couple of friends who are in music and I never ever see them!

You’re a role model for several fans who are suffering from CP and other disabilities. What advice would you like to give them?
The advice I’d like to give them is always be as real as you can. You never know when it’ll pay off. You live with it and make it yours. Keep having the faith that you can achieve anything you want.

Do you plan to keep on acting or is there anything else you’re interested in doing at some point?
I love to act; but you never know, I could go anywhere.

So what’s next for you?
I’m finishing a pilot this week, let’s see where that goes. I’ve been working on a couple of documentaries for sometime, which are wrapping up now. I’m in meetings, looking for jobs and booking them (laughs).

~Marriska Fernandes



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