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Paul Walker

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This article is about the American actor. For other people named Paul Walker, seePaul Walker (disambiguation).

Paul Walker
Walker at the premiere ofFast & Furiousin London, 2009
Born
Paul William Walker IV

(1973-09-12)September 12, 1973
Glendale, California,U.S.
DiedNovember 30, 2013(2013-11-30)(aged 40)
Santa Clarita, California,U.S.
Burial placeForest Lawn Memorial Park
Hollywood Hills, California,U.S.
EducationVillage Christian School
OccupationActor
Years active1975–2013
ChildrenMeadow Walker
RelativesCody Walker(brother)

Paul William Walker IV[1](September 12, 1973[2]– November 30, 2013) was an American actor. He was best known for his role asBrian O'Connerin theFast & Furiousfranchise.

Paul Walker began his career as a child actor in the 1980s, gaining recognition in the 1990s after appearing in the television soap operaThe Young and the Restless;he received praise for his performances in the teen comedyShe's All Thatand the comedy-dramaVarsity Blues(both 1999), and rose to international fame by starring inThe Fast and the Furious(2001).

He also starred in the commercially successfulroadthrillerJoy Ride(2001), becoming an action star. He followed this with the box-office disappointmentsInto the Blue(2005) andRunning Scared(2006), although he earned praise for his performance in the survival dramaEight Belowand for his portrayal ofHank HanseninFlags of Our Fathers(both 2006). Outside of these, Walker largely appeared in low-budget action films, but starred in the commercially successfulheist filmTakers(2010).

Walker died in asingle-vehicle collisionon November 30, 2013, as a passenger in a speeding car. His father and daughter filed separatewrongful death lawsuitsagainstPorsche,which resulted insettlements.At the time of his death, Walker had not completed filmingFurious 7(2015); it was released after rewrites and stand-ins, including his brothersCodyand Caleb, both of whom filled in for Walker, while the song "See You Again"byWiz KhalifaandCharlie Puthwas commissioned as a tribute.[3]

Early life and education

Walker was born on September 12, 1973, inGlendale, California.[4]His mother, Cheryl (néeCrabtree), was a fashion model,[5]and his father, Paul William Walker III, was a sewer contractor and former amateurboxerwho was a two-timeGolden Gloveschampion.[6][7]Walker's paternal grandfather, William, had a short-lived bo xing career as "Irish" Billy Walker, while another raced factory cars forFordin the 1960s.[5]

Raised as athe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsmember,[6]Walker had four younger siblings: Aimee, Ashlie, Caleb, andCody.He spent most of his early life in theSunlandneighborhood ofLos Angelesand graduated fromVillage Christian Schoolin 1991.[8][9]Walker subsequently attended several community colleges inSouthern California,majoring inmarine biology.[10]

Career

Walker began a modeling career as a toddler, starring in a television commercial forPampersat age two. He continued to appear in commercials, most notably forShowbiz Pizzain 1984,[11]before beginning an acting career on television that year, appearing in the teen anthology seriesCBS Schoolbreak Special.Walker continued to work in television until 1996, across a number of genres; he appeared in two episodes of the fantasy dramaHighway to Heavenbetween 1984 and 1986, and secured his first leading role in 1987, appearing as Jeremy Beatty in the sitcomThrob.He continued to feature on sitcoms in the early 1990s, with guest roles inCharles in Charge,Who's the Boss?,and the short-livedWhat a Dummy.In 1993, he portrayed Brandon Collins on the soap operaThe Young and the Restless;he and co-starHeather Tom,who played Victoria Newman, gained fame, and were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Soap Opera at the Youth in Film Awards. Walker's final television role was onTouched by an Angel,although he appeared as himself, alongside his sister Ashlie, as contestants on a 1988 episode of the game showI'm Telling!,in which they finished in second place.

Walker began his film career in 1986, appearing mainly in low budgetB films.His first role was in thehorrorcomedyMonster in the Closet,and a year later, starred in The Retaliator (retroactively subtitledProgrammed to Kill), ascience fiction film.In 1994, he returned to film, starring inTammy and the T-Rex,but secured his first feature film role in the comedyMeet the Deedlesin 1998; although commercially and critically unsuccessful, it allowed Walker to securesupportingroles in the filmsPleasantville(1998),Varsity Blues(1999),She's All That(1999), andThe Skulls(2000).[citation needed]

"[Walker] is that guy. As a director, [Walker is] completely supportive of my vision of what the film is. And even better, he's completely game for it."

—Wayne Kramer,who directed and cast Walker inRunning Scared(2006).[12]

In 2001, Walker's breakthrough role was starring oppositeVin Dieselin the action filmThe Fast and the Furious;it was commercially successful, and subsequently launched a media franchise. The film also established Walker as a film star and leading man, as his performance garnered theMTV Movie AwardforBest On-Screen Team(shared with Diesel) in 2002. Walker starred in the critically successful thrillerJoy Ride(2001), also focusing on car-related action, and reprised his role as Brian O'Conner in the 2003 sequel2 Fast 2 Furious.After this, he starred either in low-budget or commercially unsuccessful films for a time, notablyTimeline(2003) andInto the Blue(2005).

Picture ofFast Fivecast (from left)Dwayne Johnson,Ludacris,Jordana Brewster,Vin Diesel,and Walker withNatalie MoralesforNBC'sToday Showtaken in April 2011

Walker portrayedHank HanseninClint Eastwood's war filmFlags of Our Fathers(2006) and starred in the survival dramaEight Below,both released in 2006.Eight Belowgarnered critical acclaim and opened in first place at the box office, grossing over US$20 million during its opening weekend.[13]Walker then starred in the independent filmThe Lazarus Project,which was released onDVDon October 21, 2008.

Despite initial reluctance, Walker reprised his role as Brian O'Conner after seven years, inFast & Furious(2009). The film became the highest-grossing film in the franchise up until that point.[14]He then reprised his role in thefifthandsixthinstallments of the franchise, which were commercially successful, while his performances were praised. Walker was nominated for Choice Movie Actor – Action at the 2011Teen Choice Awardsfor the former, and nominated for Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Diesel andDwayne Johnson) and won his second MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo with Diesel for the latter. Walker also starred in the heist filmTakers(2010),[15]and returned to modelling in 2011, appearing as the face offragrancebrandCool Water.[16]In 2012, he founded the film production company Laguna Ridge Pictures, which signed afirst-look dealwithFast & FuriousdistributorUniversal Pictures.[17]

After his death in 2013, four films starring Walker were released; the thriller filmHours(2013), the action filmBrick Mansions(2014), itself a remake of the French filmDistrict 13(2004). He also served as executive producer on the filmPawn Shop Chronicles(2013), whileFurious 7,originally slated for release in 2014, was pushed back to recreate Walker's likeness. The filmmakers hiredPeter Jackson'sWeta Digitalvisual effects house to complete this,[18]using existing reference materials, Walker's brothers Caleb andCody,as well as actor John Brotherton, as stand-ins,[19]and outtakes or older footage,[18][20][21]to create an accurate remodel of Walker's face. The film was then released in 2015,[22]and Walker won the award for Choice Movie Actor: Action at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards, and was nominated for Choice Movie: Chemistry (shared with Diesel, Johnson,Michelle Rodriguez,Tyrese Gibson,andLudacris).

Walker was also set to playAgent 47in the film adaptationHitman: Agent 47(2015), but died before production began.[23]It was later revealed Walker declined the role ofSupermaninSuperman Returns(2006), allegedly due to the "Superman curse"and the celebrity associated with the role.[24]

Personal life

Walker was raised in aLatter-day Sainthousehold, but later became anon-denominational Christian.[25]He lived inSanta Barbarawith his dogs.[6][26]He and Rebecca Soteros, his childhood friend whom he had an on and off relationship throughout the years, had a daughter together namedMeadow Rain Walker[27]Meadow lived with her mother in Hawaii for 13 years while her mother continued her education, then moved to California to live with Walker in 2011.[28]Her godfather isVin Diesel,with whom Walker shared a close bond; Diesel gave him the nickname "Pablo",[29]while Walker's mother referred to her son as Diesel's "other half".[30]Walker was also close friends with fellowFast & Furiousco-starTyrese Gibson.[31][32]At the time of his death, Walker was in a relationship with Jasmine Pilchard-Gosnell, who he met when she was 16.[33][34][35]

He held a brown belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsuunder Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller at Paragon Jiu-Jitsu[36][37]and was awarded his black belt by Miller posthumously.[38]Walker founded thehumanitarian aidnonprofit charityReach Out Worldwide(ROWW) with financial adviser Roger Rodas in response to the2010 Haiti earthquake.[39][40]He traveled to a number of disaster-stricken areas to supply aid until his death.

Walker drove aR34 Nissan Skyline GT-RV-Spec in2 Fast 2 Furious.He later owned the car.

Walker had an interest inmarine biology,and joined the board of directors of The Billfish Foundation in 2006.[41]He fulfilled a lifelong dream by starring in theNational Geographic ChannelseriesExpedition Great White(retroactively retitledShark Men), which premiered in June 2010.[42][43]Walker spent 11 days catching and tagging sevengreat white sharksoff the coast of Mexico. The expedition, led by Chris Fischer, founder and CEO of Fischer Productions, and Brett McBride and Michael Domeier of the Marine Conservation Science Institute, took measurements, gathered DNA samples, and fastened real-time satellite tags to the great white sharks, in order to study migratory patterns, especially those associated with mating and birthing, over a five-year period.[44]

A car enthusiast, Walker competed in theRedline Time Attackracing series in which he raced on the AE Performance Team driving aBMW E92 M3.His car was sponsored by Etnies,Brembo Brakes,Öhlins,Volk,OS Giken,Hankook,Gintani, and Reach Out Worldwide.[45]Walker had been preparing for anauto showprior to his death.[46]Walker owned Always Evolving, a Valencia high-end vehicle performance shop, where Rodas, apro-amracer,[47][48]acted as CEO.[49]

Walker also had a large car collection of about 30 cars, a portion of which he co-owned along with Rodas.[50]In January 2020, twenty-one vehicles owned by Walker were sold for a combined $2.33 million during spirited bidding at an annual car auction in Arizona.[51]

Death

The site of Walker's death on Hercules Street inSanta Clarita,2015

On November 30, 2013, at about 3:30 p.m.PST,Walker, 40, and Roger Rodas, 38, left an event for Walker's charity Reach Out Worldwide for victims ofTyphoon Haiyan,[52]with Rodas driving his red2005 Porsche Carrera GT.[53]Traveling between 80 mph (130 km/h) and 93 mph (150 km/h) in a 45 mph (72 km/h) speed zone on Hercules Street inValencia,a neighborhood ofSanta Clarita, California,Rodas lost control of the car and crashed into a concrete lamp post and two trees off the road, catching fire within seconds after impact.[52][54]According to forensic evidence gathered from the scene, both men were knocked out by the impact. Rodas died instantly from multiple physical trauma while Walker died within seconds from the combined effects of physical trauma and burns. Both of their bodies were burned beyond recognition.[53]

The curve where Walker and Rodas died is a popular spot fordriftingcars.[55]No alcohol or other drugs were found in either man's system,[56]and neither mechanical failure nor road conditions appeared to play a role.[57]Police found no evidence ofdrag racing.[58]The investigation concluded that the car's speed and age of the tires were the primary reasons for the crash.[59]

Grave of Paul Walker at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

WithFurious 7in the middle of filming at the time of Walker's death, Universal announced an indeterminate hiatus on the production, citing a desire to speak with his family before determining what to do with the film.[60]

Numerous friends and movie stars posted tributes to Walker on social media.[61]His body was cremated and his ashes were buried in a non-denominational ceremony atForest Lawn Memorial Park.[62]His life was later chronicled in the documentaryI Am Paul Walker,which was released on August 11, 2018.[63]

Lawsuits

In December 2014, Walker's father filed awrongful death claimagainst Rodas's estate, seeking the return of or "a proportionate share" of revenue generated by a group of automobiles that were jointly owned by both Walker and Rodas.[64]

In September 2015, Walker's daughter filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche, claiming that the Porsche Carrera GT had numerous design defects including a history of instability, and that its seat belt placement can cause harm upon impact.[65]However, Porsche denied any wrongdoing and blamed Walker, stating: "The perils, risk, and danger were open and obvious and known to him, and he chose to conduct himself in a manner so as to expose himself to such perils, dangers, and risks, thusassuming all the risksinvolved in using the vehicle. "[66]

Walker's father and daughter both reached separateout-of-court settlementswith Porsche.[67]

In April 2016, U.S. District Court JudgePhilip S. Gutierrezruled in favor of Porsche in a separate lawsuit filed by Rodas's widow Kristine.[68][69]

Filmography

Main article:Paul Walker filmography

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2002 MTV Movie Award Best On-Screen Team The Fast and the Furious Won[a]
2011 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor – Action Fast Five Nominated
2013 Choice Movie: Chemistry Fast & Furious 6 Nominated[b]
2014 MTV Movie Award Best On-Screen Duo Won[a]
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor: Action Furious 7 Won
Choice Movie: Chemistry Nominated[c]
  1. ^abShared withVin Diesel
  2. ^Shared with Vin Diesel andDwayne Johnson
  3. ^Shared withVin Diesel,Michelle Rodriguez,Tyrese Gibson,Dwayne Johnson,Ludacris

References

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  6. ^abcKeck, William (September 27, 2005)."Fame lets Paul Walker dive in".USA Today.RetrievedDecember 3,2013.
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  8. ^"Stars React To Paul Walker's Death, Other Crash Victim Identified".CBS Los Angeles.December 1, 2013.RetrievedDecember 3,2013.
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  54. ^*"Officials: Paul Walker crash not part of street race".The Press Democrat.Santa Rosa, CA. December 3, 2013.RetrievedDecember 7,2013.
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  57. ^""Fast & Furious" -Star: Walker-Auto war fast 100 Stundenkilometer zu schnell ".Die Welt(in German). January 4, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 4,2014.
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  59. ^Duke, Alan (March 26, 2014)."Investigators: Speed – not drugs, racing or mechanical failure – killed Paul Walker".CNN.RetrievedMarch 26,2014.
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