'Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte Hopes for Greater Media Representaion of People With Disabilities

RJ Mitte, who plays the character Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, wants to see more people with disabilities represented in Hollywood.

Research from 2014 showed that only 2.5 percent of people in major on-screen roles had a disability, according to the Irish Examiner

The 24-year-old actor, who has been living with mild cerebral palsy since age three, will be covering the 2016 Paralympic Games for U.K.’s Channel 4 beginning in Rio on September 7.

“I’m really looking forward to co-presenting the Paralympics and I truly hope Rio 2016 will open up further opportunities for other disabled actors in TV,” RJ shared during the Edinburgh TV Festival.

“I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without my disability,” RJ continued. “I utilized everything I know about living with cerebral palsy for my role in Breaking Bad. It was my acting ability that landed me the role, although my disability helped get me the part of Walt Junior – like everyone else, I went through a grueling audition process.”

“If we can make this happen,” RJ added. “We will in turn help change attitudes towards disability across the world.”