RJ Mitte’s final film ‘Talking to Strangers’ gains attention after his death at 34

Director Johnny Severin said he wanted disability to be part of the story without defining the entire narrative

RJ Mitte’s final film, Talking to Strangers, is receiving renewed attention following the actor’s death at 34. The drama features the Breaking Bad star as Joshua, a man with cerebral palsy who forms an unexpected connection with Marty, played by Lin Yin.

Mitte died in Brownsville, Texas, on October 12, 2026, according to reports confirmed by his representatives. His representatives announced his passing in a statement, describing him as an actor, philanthropist and disability rights advocate. No official cause of death was given in the statement.

In Talking to Strangers, Joshua meets Marty over lunch, and their encounter develops into an unlikely connection before taking a darker turn. The film explores vulnerability, acceptance and the complicated circumstances that shape people’s lives.

Writer and director Johnny Severin discussed the project in a September interview with True Hollywood Talk. Drawing on his background in special education, Severin explained that he wanted the characters’ experiences to feel authentic without making disability the sole focus.

“What was important was that this is not a movie about disability or cerebral palsy, it’s about a romance,” Severin said.

The role reflected a central aspect of Mitte’s career. He played Walter White Jr, the son of Bryan Cranston’s character, across all five seasons of Breaking Bad. Mitte also had cerebral palsy, bringing personal experience to a character whose disability was part of the series’ family story.

Away from acting, Mitte advocated for disability awareness and inclusion. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s and led the Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic work and greater representation.

Mitte attended a screening of Talking to Strangers at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills on September 30. On October 8, he promoted the film in a Facebook post, describing it as having “a little love, some comedy, and maybe even some drama”.

The film now forms part of Mitte’s final screen work, while his performances and advocacy remain central to his legacy.