Aaron Paul pays emotional tribute to RJ Mitte after death

Aaron Paul has paid an emotional tribute to his Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte following his death at the age of 34. The actor expressed sadness over his friend’s passing, saying he wished he had known that Mitte was struggling emotionally.

Paul, 47, shared his heartfelt message on Instagram on Wednesday, two days after Mitte’s death. Alongside his tribute, he posted a video featuring Mitte discussing mental health and encouraging people to be honest about their feelings.

“I wish we knew,” Paul wrote, reflecting on the loss of his former co-star and friend.

In the video, Mitte spoke about how people often hide their true emotions behind familiar responses such as “OK” and “I’m fine.” He questioned whether people genuinely felt that way or simply used those words to avoid discussing what they were experiencing.

Mitte also reminded viewers that it was acceptable not to feel good all the time. His message highlighted the importance of acknowledging difficult emotions instead of pretending everything was fine.

Paul’s tribute reflected the deep affection he had for Mitte, whom he had known since the younger actor was a child.

The Breaking Bad star recalled meeting Mitte when he was “a little boy” and watching him grow into a remarkable young man. He praised his former co-star for facing life’s challenges with confidence, dignity and grace.

Paul also remembered the last time they met, revealing that he repeatedly called Mitte “Superman.” He explained that the nickname reflected his friend’s kindness, strength and positive attitude towards others.

According to Paul, Mitte had entered a world filled with challenges but never allowed those difficulties to stop him from moving forward. His words celebrated the actor’s resilience and the way he approached life despite the obstacles he encountered.

Paul described Mitte’s death as an absolutely tragic loss. He also recalled the happiness and laughter his friend brought into his life, particularly during their time working together on Breaking Bad.

The actor remembered how much Mitte enjoyed “riding the wave” of the show’s success. The series became a major milestone in both actors’ careers, earning widespread recognition and building a lasting connection between its cast members.

Beyond remembering his friend, Paul used the tribute to reach out to people who might be experiencing emotional difficulties. He encouraged anyone feeling lost, sad or uncertain about the future to speak openly about their feelings rather than keeping their struggles to themselves.

Paul urged his followers to contact someone they care about and tell them, “I love you.” His message emphasised the importance of staying connected with loved ones and offering support when someone is going through a difficult time.

In an earlier statement, Paul also expressed how difficult it was to process the news of Mitte’s death. He said he was “at a loss” and reminded people that they were loved and did not have to face their struggles alone.

Reports have stated that Mitte died by suicide, bringing renewed attention to his earlier comments about mental health and the importance of recognising when someone may need help.

Mitte was widely known for playing Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s character, in Breaking Bad. Paul portrayed Jesse Pinkman, Walter White’s former student and business partner in the series’ central storyline.

Although their characters never shared a scene in the show, the two actors developed a connection outside their on-screen roles. In a podcast interview published about a week before his death, Mitte discussed the fact that their characters had not appeared together and described Paul as “a cool dude.”

The news of Mitte’s death has also prompted tributes from other members of the Breaking Bad family. Bryan Cranston and Dean Norris have shared their own messages honouring the actor and remembering his contribution to the acclaimed television series.

A public celebration of Mitte’s life is scheduled to take place on Friday in Brownsville, Texas, giving family, friends and fans an opportunity to remember him and honour his legacy.

Paul’s emotional message has also served as a reminder of the importance of compassion, honest conversations and checking in on people who may be struggling silently. His tribute celebrated Mitte’s life while encouraging others to reach out, express their feelings and remind the people they love that they are not alone.