Mitte is best known for his portrayal of Walter “Flynn” White on the award-winning hit AMC drama series Breaking Bad. He is headed to the San Diego Comic Con to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the show with the entire Breaking Bad cast. “I am excited. This is my third time at the San Diego Comic Con, and I always have a good time,” Mitte said. “This is the first time I’ll see the whole cast together in five years. It is going to be a great time.”
At the age of three, Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, similar to his character “Flynn” on Breaking Bad. Over the years, Mitte has been an inspiration to his fellow actors around the world by championing his disability in hopes of removing the stigma associated with handicaps. By raising awareness to those who suffer from life threatening illness, Mitte has engaged in public speaking on his own issues with bullying and prejudice and serves as the official Ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s Hospitals. “I’ve worked with various organizations on advocacy and awareness, and bringing attention to needs, and needs of others,” he explained. “It’s a great opportunity, and Breaking Bad helped me create a platform for it.”
In addition, the Louisiana native is also a board member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) working with their I AM PWD (Person With Disability) organizations, which seek equal opportunity for those with chronic ailments. “I am still on the board on I AM PWD, and a few other boards in Southern California,” he said.
In 2014, Mitte won the SAG award for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series” for Breaking Bad. “It was a great opportunity, especially having the SAG nominate us for ‘Best Drama’ and to win was an honor,” Mitte said.
On his plans for the future, Mitte said, “I filmed three movies this year, and hopefully, I will film two more independent movies. I am also a part of Now Apocalypse, and I am working with other organizations.”
Each day, Mitte is motivated either by his family members or himself. “That changes from day to day,” he admitted. “It depends on the day.”
Mitte noted that with success comes stability and knowledge. For aspiring actors, Mitte said, “I recommend to go at it wholeheartedly. Be prepared. This is a business, and you have to treat it as such. You need to be aware of what’s happening around you and what you are able to do. Protect yourself and go at it without hesitation.”
Digital transformation of entertainment business
On the impact of technology on the entertainment business, Mitte said, “Online streaming has brought accessibility to the industry. Now, we have so much content and we are able to create, and it’s a double-edged sword. I think technology is an amazing aspect of what we have. Breaking Bad was on the pioneer level of online streaming with Netflix, and before that, it was the No. 1 pirated show in the history of television. The streaming services have an amazing reach. It helps people get their content easier than ever before.”
For his fans, he said, “It is an amazing ride we have been on. I thank all my fans for their support and their love that they have given me. I couldn’t do it without them. The Breaking Bad fans are important, and they are important for what we do.”
To learn more about actor RJ Mitte, follow him on Twitter, and check out his Facebook page.
