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Bad's Walter White Jr. has cerebral palsy. So does Mitte, 16.

But the lanky, dark-haired teen had to adjust to the role. He has a mild case of the neurologic disorder, and extensive therapy helped overcome some of its more pronounced symptoms. His character uses crutches and has a different speech pattern.

"Getting used to (Walter's) crutches was really hard because I'd never used them," Mitte says. "I had to learn where to put my feet and how to use my weight, and speak with more of a slur."

Bad centers on terminally ill high school chemistry professor Walter White (Malcolm in the Middle's Bryan Cranston). Diagnosed with inoperable cancer, White decides to build a slush fund for the family, using his science background to concoct a prized version of the street drug crystal meth.

So far, the conflicted White has kept his illicit activities to himself. But he has a loving relationship with Walter Jr., who's a bit of a smart-aleck at heart, a good kid who doesn't pity himself. "He just wants to be treated like everybody else," Mitte says.

That's precisely how RJ wants to be viewed, says his mother, Dyna. "We never wanted him to think he couldn't accomplish what he wanted in life," she says. "He just hopes other people with disabilities set their goals high. He's a role model. I'm very proud of him."

Still, Mitte is a rarity in a Hollywood focused on brawn and beauty. "Sometimes, if there's a choice between someone disabled who has never acted and a talented, able-bodied actor who's had acting jobs, the decision is to go with someone who has the experience," saysBreaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. "The shame of it is that there's wonderfully talented, untapped talent that doesn't get a chance to work."

Breaking Bad is Mitte's first major role. Though he has fun on the set and enjoys his castmates, he's still adjusting to being in front of the camera. "It's cool and it's scary at the same time," he says.

Cranston, however, says Mitte is a natural. "He brings a sensibility to the work. There was an ad-libbed scene in the pilot where he threw out a line. I was nicely surprised. He's got very good instincts."

Gilligan, 41, wrote the part of Walter Jr. to honor a handicapped friend, now deceased, from his college days at New York University. "What I love about RJ is he's like his character: He doesn't feel sorry for himself. He's a teenager who just happens to have cerebral palsy."

He also has become something of a babe magnet aroundBad's Albuquerque set. "Women find him to be catnip; they're dreamy," Gilligan says. "I think he'll have a big career ahead of him."

Mitte never figured he'd be an actor. The Louisiana native moved to Hollywood after his sister, Lacianne, now 4, was spotted by a talent agent in late 2005. Talent manager Addison Witt thought Lacianne was too young, but he suggested RJ might be actor material. "We saw qualities in him right away — he's extremely photogenic and has charisma — he's got a witty, somewhat snarky sense of humor," Witt says.

Mitte eventually got a recurring gig as an extra onHannah Montana, but not because of his disability. Typically, casting directors can't distinguish him from able-bodied actors. "At first, we didn't tell them. So it would be a shock when they found out," Mitte says. "Some act a tiny bit weird. I just make them laugh, and they're fine."

WithBad's seven-episode season wrapped (the finale airs March 9), Mitte has been auditioning for parts. Home-schooled, he enjoys fishing, paintball, movies and hanging with friends. He recently took up ballroom dancing. "You can do anything if you set goals," he says. "You just have to push yourself."

Enlarge AMC Babe magnet: RJ Mitte, who doesn't use crutches, had to learn how to walk with them to play Walter Jr.