RJ Mitte’s “Breaking Bad” co-star Luis Moncada noticed he was “really tired and sad” just days before he died by suicide.
Moncada saw Mitte when they first reunited for a charity golf tournament over a week ago, he shared during his “TMZ Live” appearance Tuesday. They then went to a comedy show with fellow “Breaking Bad” star Steven Quezada.
Moncada — who played Marco Salamanca on the hit AMC show —said he noticed Mitte’s attitude was “different,” so he invited him to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta the next day to cheer him up.
He described Mitte as “tired and sad.”
“He was being pulled in all kinds of directions,” he said of Mitte’s thoughts at the time, though he declined to disclose what the actor told him was bothering him. “He was very conflicted about that.”
He added, “He was just struggling with that.”
Moncada said he was trying to lift his spirits during the outing because he knew Mitte was “in his head” about the “stress of life” and facing pressure.
He later shed tears recalling their last conversation, sharing that he invited Mitte to stay with him and his son for a couple of days, but Mitte declined. He said he made Mitte promise to call him when he returned home — but that he never got that call.
He noted that Mitte was “an amazing friend,” and helped him out when he was going through a rough time just a couple of months ago. He said he urged him not to struggle alone.
“RJ is just the sweetest person I’ve ever met in my entire life,” he said.
Moncada posted footage with Mitte during their hot air balloon ride Monday on Instagram. In the video, Mitte lays his head on Moncada’s shoulder at one point as they both laugh.
“Rest in Peace RJ – I Love you Lil Brother ❤️,” Moncada, 49, captioned the post, which also included pics with Mitte and the rest of the “Breaking Bad” cast over the years.
Mitte played Walter “Flynn” White Jr. on “Breaking Bad” for all five seasons of the show. His on-screen dad, Bryan Cranston, paid tribute to him on social media after the disability rights advocate died at just 34 years old.
Cranston noted he was “in deep despair” at the devastating loss.
“Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never – ever – allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination,” he also recalled.
Cranston said the two were texting each other just a few weeks ago and planning to meet for lunch.
“I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future,” he wondered.
Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman on the show, told the Hollywood Reporter in a statement that he was “at a loss.”
“I am heartbroken over this news. RJ, I love you my friend,” he shared. “You will be missed. And to whoever happens to be reading this, please know you are loved, and you are not alone. Always remember that.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
