Interview: Actor RJ Mitte talks 'Breaking Bad' and doing good before stop in Tampa

Walter White's son — and the actor who played him — is growing into a far better man than his Breaking Bad dad.
That's the way RJ Mitte sees his fictional character Walt Jr., five months after the acclaimed TV saga of meth and mayhem ended.
"Right now he's still shaken up by what happened, very focused on being with his mom and little sister," Mitte, 21, said by telephone. "He's the only man in the house now."


In real life, Mitte is viewed as an inspiration, after being diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy at age 3, now using his celebrity to advocate rights for society's disabled, aged and bullied.
Mitte, 21, is visiting the Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa this weekend, picking up a rising star award and supporting his feature film debut in House of Last Things, a haunted house yarn David Lynch might appreciate.
Earlier this week, Mitte called from South Carolina, midway through a 10-day speaking tour, promoting diversity in the arts and media. Giving back is in his blood, raised in a Louisiana family with a foundation donating to various charities.
"I grew up well," Mitte said. "I had family and friends who were there to get me out of my disabilities, to take control of my life. I was lucky enough to have that, so I'm always trying to give back, since I was a kid.
"It's a hard issue for some people when it comes to disabilities. People don't like to admit they have them, and that they need help. When you realize you have these faults, you turn them to your advantage. That's what I've always tried to do, and I'm in a unique place to do it." See more