paul-walker-picture

 

Paul Walker, actor and star of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, died in a car explosion over the weekend in California. The details of the accident concluded that he was the passenger in a Porsche Carrera GT that crashed into a tree then pole after riding at an excessive speed. The driver was Walker’s close friend and business partner, Rodger Rodas.

 

Walker was on a brief break from filming the seventh installment of the ‘Fast and Furious’ series.  He was in California for his charity event which raised funds for the victims of the devastating typhoon (Haiyan) that recently hit the Philippines.  His charity was called Reach Out Worldwide and it focused on helping those who are struck by natural disasters. The organization was founded in 2010.

 

The unfortunate and timely death of Paul Walker stunned the film community and his peers. Vin Deisel, Tyrese, Ludacris, and countless other celebrities shared their words of sentiment on social media (i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook).  Also, Walker’s Universal Pictures family were devastated by the news.

 

“All of us at Universal are heartbroken,” Universal Pictures, which has released the “Fast & Furious” franchise, said in a statement. “Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the `Fast and Furious’ films, and to countless fans.”

 

The fans especially took Walker’s death hard. Because of his likability, the actor seemed like one of “us”…just a regular guy who’s down-to-earth and very approachable, unlike many celebrities we come to know of.

 

Walker’s background may come as a surprise to some. Although he’s not the biggest name in Hollywood, he’s been in the film industry for quite a while. Here are some fun facts about Paul Walker you may not have known:

 

1. He’s the oldest of 5 kids, and son of a model and sewer contractor.

2. He became a child model at the age of 2. 

3. He grew up as a Mormon.

4.  His first jobs as an actor were small parts on the 80’s hit TV shows,”Charles In Charge” and “Who’s The Boss”.

5. His first movie role was in the 1998 comedy “Meet The Deedles”.

6. After starring in the 2000 film “The Skulls”, Neal H. Moritz discovered him and cast him as an undercover police officer in the first “The Fast and the Furious”. Walker didn’t become a lead in the film until the second installment. 

 

Paul Walker’s legacy will live on through the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise and its cast members. He was gorgeous young man with so much more to accomplish in life. But, his presence was felt in a short amount of time and his friends and family are grateful for that.

 

Walker is survived by his 15 year old daughter.