#SHOWBIZ: 'Paid more in taxes than I got from Breaking Bad': RJ Mitte's scam

Los Angeles-based actor RJ Mitte, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 34, revealed in a recent interview that he lost a significant amount of his earnings due to financial misconduct by his former business manager. Mitte, renowned for his role in the widely acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad, shared his story on The Iced Coffee Hour podcast, nearly a year before his death.

Mitte explained that he enlisted the help of a former business manager when he was a teenager as he sought professional assistance to safeguard his income. As his acting career progressed, his financial situation became increasingly complex. He discovered that the money he believed was being directed towards his tax obligations had, in fact, been misappropriated by the manager.

She allegedly kept the cash and presented false tax filings to the US Internal Revenue Service, leaving Mitte with a substantial tax debt and the burden of accruing interest.

The actor emphasized that he had paid more in taxes than he earned from his five-season run on Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008 to 2013. He also claimed that the financial setback affected 14 other actors, including those with disabilities. Pursuing legal action against the manager was challenging due to the offshore accounts involved.

Despite the ordeal, Mitte acknowledged that the experience taught him to be more prudent with his finances and he is currently working on a show based on his experiences. His death was confirmed by his representative on October 12, 2025, and he was remembered fondly by co-stars, including Bryan Cranston, who described him as his "sweet son" from the series.