"Fast and Furious" star Paul Walker died in a car crash at the age of 40. Here's a round-up of his career.
"If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling" - Paul Walker
Death certainly comes unknowingly and in mysterious ways. Little did actor Paul Walker know that the very thing that was the "driving" force behind his success would also result in his death - cars and speed! The "Fast and Furious" actor was killed in a car crash Saturday afternoon. Walker was in the passenger seat with his friend when the car crashed into a light post. According to an ABC News report, both individuals were pronounced dead on the scene.
Police officials have confirmed that speed was the cause of the crash. The crash took place after Walker left the event for Walker's charity Reach Out Worldwide for victims of Typhoon Haiyan with friend Roger Rodas. Reportedly, Rodas was driving the car. Walker's publicist, Ame van Iden, was first to confirm reports of his death
Walker was best known for his role as Brian O'Conner in the "Fast and Furious" series where he played a cop. Not many are aware of the fact that the very talented actor began his acting career as a toddler when he appeared in a Pampers commercial. After that he had a short career stint modeling before he moved on to television shows in 1985. He appeared in popular series like "Highway to Heaven", "Who's the Boss?", "The Young and the Restless", and "Touched by an Angel" but they weren't enough to seal him as a successful star. Even after moving to films in 1986, his big break only came in 1999 when he starred in "Varsity Blues." Other films he starred in included "Pleasantville" (1998), "She's All That" (1999), and "The Skulls" (2000).
Though his role in "Varsity Blues" was credited for establishing him as an actor, Walker became a household name when he bagged a role starring opposite Vin Diesel in the first "Fast and Furious" film back in 2001. The actor has starred in 5 of the 6 movies of the franchise, barring "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift."
Walker had grown to live the role and many fans knew him as "Brian O'Conner" rather than "Paul Walker."
"I get that a lot," Walker said in one of his last interviews, according to Us Weekly. "I'm Brian a lot more than I'm Paul Walker, which is awesome. When I hear, 'Hey Paul Walker!' my hair stands up on the back of my neck. It's uncomfortable. But when I hear 'It's Brian!' it's cool. I like Brian."
Tyrese Gibson was among the many actors who couldn't hold back their grief, hearing about his death. Gibson has worked closely with Walker in the "Fast and Furious" films, playing the role of Roman Pearce. According to a TMZ report, Gibson took home with him a piece of junk from the car crash in memory of his beloved co-star.
The 7th instalment of the film was currently in production and director James Wan hasn't commented on the stance of the film post Walker's shocking death. According to a tweet his posted Sunday, the director is "So beyond heartbroken right now. I can't process anything."
Universal Films released a statement conveying their condolence but didn't reveal any details about the unfinished movie too.
"All of us at Universal are heartbroken. 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. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family," read the statement, Huffington Post revealed.
