E! Remembers Paul Walker on His Birthday
It’s been eight years since the world was forced to say goodbye to Paul Walker.
Perhaps best known for his work in the wildly popular Fast and the Furious franchise, the actor tragically died on November 30, 2013 at the age of 40, the passenger in a single-car crash. As he and friend Roger Rodas headed out to attend an event for Walker’s charity Reach Out Worldwide, meant to benefit the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, Rodas’ Porsche Carrera GT, traveling at a speed determined to be between 80 and 93 mph in a 45 mph zone in Santa Clarita, Calif., slammed into a concrete lamp post and two trees, bursting into flames. Both bodies were, sadly, burned beyond recognition.
“He wasn’t really a formal kind of a guy…knowing him he would just want you to be doing something fun that you enjoy doing with him,” his brother Cody has said. “It’s not a day to be sad. He wouldn’t want you to be sad. He would just want you to be with family and friends.”
Added his other sibling Caleb, “We’re just trying to live the life that Paul would want us to live. And just be happy and look forward.”
Let’s take a look back at his life—a life well-lived, however brief it may have been—in photos.
Splash News
RIP
Paul Walker tragically died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in a car accident in Santa Clarita, Calif. The actor was 40.
Splash News
Beach Boy
The blond actor enjoys some R&R in Hawaii.
Dad and Daughter
This snapshot of Paul with his daughter Meadow Walker serves as the cover photo of The Paul Walker Foundation website, which promises to “continue to do the work that Paul started. We are focused on his passions and dedicated to his legacy. He is always in our hearts and we are reminded daily to do good and live life like Paul. Paul’s passion for the ocean, a curious mind and a spontaneous heart lives on in The Paul Walker Foundation.”
F. Seefried/WireImage
Suit & Tie
Looking slick! The actor is all smiles at a Fast & Furious 4 premiere in Bochum, Germany.
Old School
The actor’s 1985 appearance on Highway to Heaven was posted to his Facebook page in September 2013.
Mark Renders/Getty Images
Fast Friends
Jordana Brewster, Vin Diesel, director Justin Lin, Michelle Rodriguez and Paul Walker stick together at a FF4 photocall in Lille, France.
Buda Mendes/LatinContent/Getty Images
Three of a Kind
Paul, Vin and Tyrese flash their bright smiles at the Fast Five premiere in Rio.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Late Night Chat
Paul Walker chats with Jimmy Fallon in May 2013.
E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Sony Pictures-Los Angeles
Premiere Pals
Paul Walker and Jessica Alba attend the Into the Blue premiere in Westwood.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Brothers Bonding
Paul Walker, with his brother Cody Walker, at the premiere of Timeline’ at the Mann’s National Theatre on November 19, 2003.
Instagram / Meadow Walker
Daddy-Daughter Dance
Meadow shared this sweet throwback photo of herself dancing with her dad back in 2017, telling her Instagram followers, “In honor of my dad’s birthday today, we’re challenging you to DO GOOD! Share a video or photo of your random act of kindness and nominate 4 people to join the challenge!”
David LEFRANC/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Cast Bonding
Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel attend the Deauville film festival, France in September 2001.
Universal Pictures
Nice Ride!
Brian O’Connor shows off his hot wheels.
Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images
Fans Man
The FF5 star meets fans at the Rome premiere.
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Suit Up!
The FF6 stars show off their finest threads at the London premiere of their film.
Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage
Plaid Lad
Walker keeps it casual for a FF5 photocall in Rome.
Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage
London Calling
The Fast & Furious 4 star attends the film’s U.K. premiere.
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images
For the Fans
The star greets fans at the Taipei premiere of Fast & Furious 4.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Baller!
Walker roots for the home team at Dodger Stadium.
This story was originally published on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at 3 a.m. PT
