‘Breaking Bad’ Actor, RJ Mitte, Is Ambassador For Shriners Hospitals Campaign

Breaking Bad actor, RJ Mitte is the new ambassador for Shriners Hospitals for Children’s “Love To The Rescue” campaign.

Shriners is where Mitte himself was treated for cerebral palsy and he will be discussing his experience with the hospital in a series of public service announcements and personal appearances with the goal of raising funds for the non-profit, a statement said.

Mitte played Walter “Flynn” White, Jr. on Breaking Bad, which ended its very successful run in 2013.

The Breaking Bad star was diagnosed with cerebral palsy — a neurological condition that affects muscles, movement, and coordination — when he was three-years-old.

His family was referred to Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was treated by orthopedic specialists who used a casting procedure instead of surgery.

Through his youth, the Breaking Bad actor was treated at the hospital for symptoms of cerebral palsy and was able to improve many of the negative effects that came from his condition.

Mitte has acknowledged that he would not be walking and talking as well as he does today, which has allowed him to pursue an acting career, if it wasn’t for the care he received at Shriners Hospital.

In Breaking Bad, the critically acclaimed crime drama that took cable television and the nation by storm, Mitte plays the son of Walter and Skyler — who suffers from cerebral palsy — and lashes out after Walter’s cancer diagnosis.

Mitte suffers from a milder case of cerebral palsy than does his character Flynn in the series and at the beginning of his career he made guest appearances in the Disney kids show Hannah Monatana, starring Miley Cyrus.

When the Breaking Bad star was born he was delivered by emergency C-section and wasn’t breathing at the time of his birth, causing permanent brain damage.

A few weeks later, he was adopted by Roy Frank Mitte Jr. and Dyna Mitte.

Doctors put his legs in casts for six months in an attempt to straighten his feet and he was forced to use leg braces and crutches throughout most of his childhood. However, over time thanks to sports and exercise his legs became stronger and when he was a young teenager he no longer needed any walking aid.

Shriners Hospitals spokeswoman Misti Dragano said that they have had a relationship with the young Breaking Bad star for some years and he recently reached out wanting to donate fees from speaking engagements.

“He approached us and we approached him at about the same time. Having him as our campaign spokesman definitely increases the awareness of the hospitals. He’s coming off a critically acclaimed show and so can help raise awareness and bring patients in the door who don’t know about us.”

RJ Mitte is using the incredible reach he got after being a part of Breaking Bad for five years, to do good for those who suffer cerebral palsy.