Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in 2001’s The Fast and The Furious.Photo: Everett
Best known for his work inThe Fast and the Furiousfranchise,Paul Walkerwas an established (and continually rising) starwhen he died suddenly in a car crashon Nov. 30, 2013, at just 40 years old.In his time, the actor earned notoriety for his ability to move between action films and rom-coms, cementing his teen icon status at an early age through both genres.Off-screen, he had a beloved daughter,Meadow, and spent his time working with his nonprofit,Reach Out WorldWide, which helps victims of natural disasters. His family has since launched a charitablefoundation in his name, as well.Ten years after his tragic death, look back on some of his career highlights in photos.
Best known for his work inThe Fast and the Furiousfranchise,Paul Walkerwas an established (and continually rising) starwhen he died suddenly in a car crashon Nov. 30, 2013, at just 40 years old.
In his time, the actor earned notoriety for his ability to move between action films and rom-coms, cementing his teen icon status at an early age through both genres.
Off-screen, he had a beloved daughter,Meadow, and spent his time working with his nonprofit,Reach Out WorldWide, which helps victims of natural disasters. His family has since launched a charitablefoundation in his name, as well.
Ten years after his tragic death, look back on some of his career highlights in photos.
01of 10’Pleasantville' (1998)Paul Walker in Pleasantville.“I don’t know if I ever told you this before, but I think you’re just about the keenest girl in the whole school!” Walker said toReese Witherspoon, whom he romanced on-screen in the idyllic flick that sent him back to the ’50s as the wholesome, handsome Skip Martin.
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‘Pleasantville’ (1998)
Paul Walker in Pleasantville.
“I don’t know if I ever told you this before, but I think you’re just about the keenest girl in the whole school!” Walker said toReese Witherspoon, whom he romanced on-screen in the idyllic flick that sent him back to the ’50s as the wholesome, handsome Skip Martin.
02of 10’Varsity Blues' (1999)Paul Walker in Varsity Blues.Everett"Goin' back to high school was dope," Walker toldIGNof playing football quarterback Lance Harbor, who loses his star status (but not his blue-eyed dreaminess) in the coming-of-age film. “All summer long, I worked with like 40 … real hot cheerleaders. They were all college-aged, too, at that point. That was a blast. I mean I loved it. I didn’t have a prom and I got to play the meathead jock that I hated in high school.”
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‘Varsity Blues’ (1999)
Paul Walker in Varsity Blues.Everett
“Goin' back to high school was dope,” Walker toldIGNof playing football quarterback Lance Harbor, who loses his star status (but not his blue-eyed dreaminess) in the coming-of-age film. “All summer long, I worked with like 40 … real hot cheerleaders. They were all college-aged, too, at that point. That was a blast. I mean I loved it. I didn’t have a prom and I got to play the meathead jock that I hated in high school.”
03of 10’She’s All That' (1999)Paul Walker in She’s All That.EverettHis heartthrob status continued to steal scenes – and, in this case, dates to the school dance. Walker ruled the hallway as Dean Sampson Jr. – the stuff teenage dreams are made of – who makes a bet withFreddie Prinze Jr.over turning an art nerd into a prom queen in this rom-com.
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‘She’s All That’ (1999)
Paul Walker in She’s All That.Everett
His heartthrob status continued to steal scenes – and, in this case, dates to the school dance. Walker ruled the hallway as Dean Sampson Jr. – the stuff teenage dreams are made of – who makes a bet withFreddie Prinze Jr.over turning an art nerd into a prom queen in this rom-com.
04of 10’The Skulls' (2000)Paul Walker in The Skulls.Universal/EverettThe star showedJoshua Jackson’s character the ropes of a secret society steeped in privilege and prestige with his turn as collegiate Caleb Mandrake.
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‘The Skulls’ (2000)
Paul Walker in The Skulls.Universal/Everett
The star showedJoshua Jackson’s character the ropes of a secret society steeped in privilege and prestige with his turn as collegiate Caleb Mandrake.
05of 10’The Fast and the Furious' (2001)Paul Walker in The Fast and the Furious.EverettAs undercover police officer Brian O’Conner, the actor got moviegoers' engines racing in the action franchise’s first installment. His portrayal helped drive the street-racing flicks to blockbuster success. “Cars are my vice,“he said in 2009. “It’s a big part of my lifestyle. It’s a big part of who I am, and it’ll always remain that way.”
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‘The Fast and the Furious’ (2001)
Paul Walker in The Fast and the Furious.Everett
As undercover police officer Brian O’Conner, the actor got moviegoers' engines racing in the action franchise’s first installment. His portrayal helped drive the street-racing flicks to blockbuster success. “Cars are my vice,“he said in 2009. “It’s a big part of my lifestyle. It’s a big part of who I am, and it’ll always remain that way.”
06of 10’Joy Ride' (2001)Paul Walker in Joy Ride.EverettWalker was back behind the wheel in this thriller about a road trip gone awry. Besides out-driving a murderous trucker, he took on a comparably brave feat: on-screen nudity. “That was bizarre,“he said while promotingthe film. “It’s [not] too often you see a naked guy … but I read this [script] and thought, ‘I’m going to be running around naked!’ "
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‘Joy Ride’ (2001)
Paul Walker in Joy Ride.Everett
Walker was back behind the wheel in this thriller about a road trip gone awry. Besides out-driving a murderous trucker, he took on a comparably brave feat: on-screen nudity. “That was bizarre,“he said while promotingthe film. “It’s [not] too often you see a naked guy … but I read this [script] and thought, ‘I’m going to be running around naked!’ "
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‘Into the Blue’ (2005)
Paul Walker in Into the Blue.MGM/Everett
08of 10’Eight Below' (2006)Paul Walker in Eight Below.Walt Disney/EverettIn addition to Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood andJason Biggs, Walker shared the screen with 32 four-legged actors, who led the way in this adventure flick about a team of explorers and their sled dogs. “It got to the point where I knew each and every one, and, you know, I knew their quirks and their idiosyncrasies,“he said of the dogs. “I knew what to look out for.”
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‘Eight Below’ (2006)
Paul Walker in Eight Below.Walt Disney/Everett
In addition to Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood andJason Biggs, Walker shared the screen with 32 four-legged actors, who led the way in this adventure flick about a team of explorers and their sled dogs. “It got to the point where I knew each and every one, and, you know, I knew their quirks and their idiosyncrasies,“he said of the dogs. “I knew what to look out for.”
09of 10’Flags of Our Fathers' (2006)Paul Walker in Flags of Our Fathers.DreamWorks/EverettWalker took a serious turn to help tell the story of the six men who raised the flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima in thisClint Eastwood-helmed war film.
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‘Flags of Our Fathers’ (2006)
Paul Walker in Flags of Our Fathers.DreamWorks/Everett
Walker took a serious turn to help tell the story of the six men who raised the flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima in thisClint Eastwood-helmed war film.
10of 10’Fast & Furious 6' (2013)Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 6.EverettHis last reprisal of Brian O’Conner arrived in theaters in May 2013, as Walker once again reunited on the big screen withVin Diesel. Even in its sixth installment,PEOPLE’s movie criticdefended the franchise, writing, “What it always was – and still is, I’ll grudgingly admit – is silly fun.“Moviegoers agreed: It wasthe ninth highest-grossingfilm of 2013, netting more than $788 million worldwide.Before Walker’s death in late 2013, the seventh installment began shooting; following its 2015 release, it netted more than $1 billion.
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‘Fast & Furious 6’ (2013)
Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 6.Everett
His last reprisal of Brian O’Conner arrived in theaters in May 2013, as Walker once again reunited on the big screen withVin Diesel. Even in its sixth installment,PEOPLE’s movie criticdefended the franchise, writing, “What it always was – and still is, I’ll grudgingly admit – is silly fun.”
Moviegoers agreed: It wasthe ninth highest-grossingfilm of 2013, netting more than $788 million worldwide.Before Walker’s death in late 2013, the seventh installment began shooting; following its 2015 release, it netted more than $1 billion.
source: people.com
