Sharon Bialy, an Emmy-nominated casting director known for her work on Breaking Bad, has shared a tribute to actor R.J. Mitte following his death on Oct. 12 at the age of 34. Bialy worked with Mitte during the casting process for the role of Walt Jr. on the acclaimed series.
According to Bialy’s account, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan developed the character of Walt Jr. with cerebral palsy as a tribute to a college roommate. Gilligan and the production team were committed to casting the role exclusively with an actor who had the condition. Rather than using standard casting procedures, Bialy and her partner Sherry Thomas conducted an extensive nationwide search, reaching out to cerebral palsy organizations, local schools, and nonprofits supporting individuals with disabilities.
Mitte auditioned for the role in Feb. 2007 at age 14, accompanied by his mother. At that time, he had minimal acting experience, having done only a few commercial auditions. Despite his inexperience, Bialy noted that Mitte demonstrated enthusiasm and openness during the audition process. He shared details about his personal journey, including years of physical and speech therapy to manage his condition.
The production team viewed approximately 20 candidates before narrowing the selection to two actors, both of whom were brought to New Mexico to read with series leads Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn. Gilligan ultimately selected Mitte for the role. Bialy remained in contact with Mitte throughout his career, and in 2011, he presented her and Thomas with the Media Access Award for promoting opportunities for actors with disabilities.
Bialy emphasized Mitte’s talent, perseverance, and advocacy for disabled performers. She noted that his transition from regular cast member on a high-profile series to the competitive landscape of finding subsequent work presented significant challenges, particularly for an actor with a disability.
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