History of Paul Walker in Timeline
Paul William Walker IV was an American actor widely recognized for his portrayal of Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious film series. His untimely death in 2013, at the age of 40, cut short a promising career in Hollywood.
September 12, 1973: Birth of Paul Walker
On September 12, 1973, Paul William Walker IV was born. He would go on to become a renowned American actor, best known for his role as Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise.
1984: Paul Walker's Early Career Beginnings
Paul Walker's journey in the entertainment industry began at a young age. In 1984, he ventured into acting, appearing in the teen anthology series "CBS Schoolbreak Special." Notably, this year also marked his memorable appearance in a Showbiz Pizza commercial.
1986: Paul Walker's Appearance in "Highway to Heaven"
Between 1984 and 1986, Paul Walker appeared in two episodes of the fantasy drama series "Highway to Heaven," showcasing his early acting range.
1986: Paul Walker's Film Debut
Paul Walker embarked on his film career in 1986 with his debut role in the horror comedy "Monster in the Closet." This marked his entry into the world of feature films.
1987: Paul Walker's First Leading Role
In 1987, Paul Walker landed his first leading role as Jeremy Beatty in the sitcom "Throb." This marked a significant step forward in his acting career, providing valuable experience and exposure.
1988: Paul Walker's Appearance on "I'm Telling!"
In 1988, Paul Walker and his sister, Ashlie, appeared as contestants on the game show "I'm Telling!" Their appearance showcased a different side of Walker and highlighted his close bond with his family.
1991: Paul Walker's High School Graduation
Paul Walker graduated from Village Christian School in 1991, marking the completion of his high school education.
1993: Paul Walker's Role in "The Young and the Restless"
Paul Walker gained recognition for his portrayal of Brandon Collins on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless" in 1993. His performance, alongside co-star Heather Tom, garnered critical acclaim and earned them a nomination at the Youth in Film Awards.
1994: Paul Walker Stars in "Tammy and the T-Rex"
In 1994, Paul Walker returned to film, starring in the sci-fi comedy "Tammy and the T-Rex." The film showcased Walker's comedic timing and ability to take on offbeat roles.
1996: Conclusion of Paul Walker's Television Work
In 1996, Paul Walker concluded his television work, marking a turning point in his career as he shifted his focus towards film.
1998: Paul Walker's First Feature Film Role in "Meet the Deedles"
In 1998, Paul Walker secured his first feature film role in the comedy "Meet the Deedles." Although the film received mixed reviews, it provided Walker with valuable experience and paved the way for future opportunities.
1999: Paul Walker's Supporting Roles in "Varsity Blues" and "She's All That"
Paul Walker's career gained momentum in 1999 with supporting roles in two successful teen films: the comedy-drama "Varsity Blues" and the romantic comedy "She's All That." These roles showcased Walker's versatility and charm, further establishing his presence in Hollywood.
1999: Paul Walker's Rise to Recognition
In 1999, Paul Walker experienced a surge in recognition for his performances in two popular teen films: the comedy "She's All That" and the comedy-drama "Varsity Blues."
2000: Paul Walker's Role in "The Skulls"
In 2000, Paul Walker continued to expand his filmography with a role in the thriller "The Skulls." The film allowed Walker to delve into a darker and more dramatic genre.
2001: Paul Walker's Success with "Joy Ride"
Paul Walker further cemented his action star status in 2001 with the release of the commercially successful road thriller "Joy Ride."
2001: Paul Walker's International Breakthrough
Paul Walker's career reached new heights in 2001 when he starred in "The Fast and the Furious." The film catapulted him to international fame and solidified his status as a rising star.
2001: Paul Walker's Breakthrough Role in "The Fast and the Furious"
Paul Walker's career reached new heights in 2001 with his breakthrough role as Brian O'Conner in the action film "The Fast and the Furious." The film became a global phenomenon, establishing Walker as a bona fide movie star and action hero.
2002: Paul Walker Wins MTV Movie Award
Paul Walker's performance in "The Fast and the Furious" earned him critical acclaim and accolades, including the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team, shared with co-star Vin Diesel, in 2002.
2003: Paul Walker Returns for "2 Fast 2 Furious"
In 2003, Paul Walker reprised his role as Brian O'Conner in the sequel "2 Fast 2 Furious." The film continued the franchise's success, solidifying Walker's status as a leading man in the action genre.
2004: Release of "District 13"
The French action film "District 13" was released in 2004, later serving as the inspiration for the American remake "Brick Mansions," which starred Paul Walker.
2005: Paul Walker Stars in "Into the Blue"
In 2005, Paul Walker took on a leading role in the action film "Into the Blue." Despite its box-office disappointment, the film showcased Walker's versatility as an actor.
2005: Paul Walker Explores Different Genres
In 2005, Paul Walker took on diverse roles in films like the historical action film "Timeline" and the action thriller "Into the Blue." Despite their varying degrees of commercial success, these films demonstrated Walker's willingness to explore different genres and challenge himself as an actor.
2005: The Crash
The car crash that took the lives of Paul Walker and Roger Rodas occurred in a red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT.
2006: Paul Walker's Critical Acclaim for "Eight Below" and "Flags of Our Fathers"
The year 2006 saw Paul Walker receive critical acclaim for his performances in two distinct films: the survival drama "Eight Below" and his portrayal of Hank Hansen in Clint Eastwood's war film "Flags of Our Fathers."
2006: Wayne Kramer's Thoughts on Paul Walker
Wayne Kramer, who directed Paul Walker in the action thriller "Running Scared" (2006), expressed his admiration for Walker's talent and work ethic. This statement from Kramer reflects the positive regard Walker held within the industry.
2006: Paul Walker Joins The Billfish Foundation
Paul Walker joined the board of directors of The Billfish Foundation in 2006.
2006: Critical and Commercial Success of "Eight Below"
The survival drama "Eight Below," starring Paul Walker, garnered critical acclaim and achieved commercial success upon its release in 2006. The film's opening weekend gross of over US$20 million solidified Walker's box-office appeal.
2006: Paul Walker Declines Superman Role
It was revealed that Paul Walker declined the opportunity to portray Superman in "Superman Returns" (2006). Walker's decision reportedly stemmed from concerns about the "Superman curse" and the intense scrutiny associated with such an iconic role.
October 21, 2008: Direct-to-DVD Release of "The Lazarus Project"
On October 21, 2008, "The Lazarus Project," an independent film starring Paul Walker, was released directly to DVD. The film provided Walker with an opportunity to explore a more character-driven narrative.
2009: Paul Walker's Return to the "Fast & Furious" Franchise
After a seven-year hiatus, Paul Walker returned to the "Fast & Furious" franchise with "Fast & Furious" (2009). The film's massive success, becoming the highest-grossing installment at that time, reaffirmed Walker's importance to the franchise and reignited its global popularity.
June 2010: Expedition Great White Premieres
In June 2010, "Expedition Great White", a National Geographic Channel series which Paul Walker starred in, premiered.
2010: Paul Walker Stars in "Takers"
In 2010, Paul Walker starred in the commercially successful heist film "Takers." The film's success further solidified Walker's bankability as an action star.
2010: Paul Walker Stars in "Takers"
In 2010, Paul Walker starred in the heist film "Takers." The film's commercial success further solidified Walker's bankability as an action star.
2010: Paul Walker Founds Reach Out Worldwide
In 2010, Paul Walker, in response to the Haiti earthquake, founded Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), a humanitarian aid nonprofit charity, with financial adviser Roger Rodas.
2011: Paul Walker's Continued Success with "Fast Five" and Modeling Return
In 2011, Paul Walker continued his successful run with the "Fast & Furious" franchise, starring in "Fast Five." He received critical acclaim and award nominations for his performance. Additionally, Walker returned to his modeling roots, becoming the face of the fragrance brand Cool Water.
2011: Meadow Rain Walker Moves to California
In 2011, Paul Walker's daughter, Meadow Rain Walker, moved from Hawaii to California to live with him.
2012: Paul Walker Founds Laguna Ridge Pictures
In 2012, Paul Walker took a significant step in his career by founding his own film production company, Laguna Ridge Pictures. The company secured a first-look deal with Universal Pictures, showcasing Walker's ambition to expand his influence within the industry.
November 30, 2013: Death of Paul Walker
Tragically, on November 30, 2013, Paul Walker's life was cut short in a fatal single-vehicle collision. He was a passenger in a speeding car at the time of the accident.
2013: Posthumous Release of "Hours" and "Pawn Shop Chronicles"
Following Paul Walker's death in 2013, two films featuring his final performances were released. "Hours," a thriller showcasing Walker's acting range, and "Pawn Shop Chronicles," on which he served as executive producer, allowed audiences to appreciate his talent in different capacities.
December 2014: Paul Walker's Father Files Wrongful Death Claim
In December 2014, Paul Walker's father filed a wrongful death claim against Roger Rodas's estate.
2014: Posthumous Release of "Brick Mansions"
In 2014, "Brick Mansions," an action film starring Paul Walker, was released posthumously. The film, a remake of the French film "District 13" (2004), served as a reminder of Walker's action star persona and his ability to captivate audiences in high-octane roles.
September 2015: Meadow Walker Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In September 2015, Meadow Walker filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche.
2015: Posthumous Release of "Furious 7"
In 2015, "Furious 7" was released, marking Paul Walker's final film appearance. The film, completed after his untimely death, served as a tribute to the actor and his iconic role as Brian O'Conner.
2015: Posthumous Release of "Furious 7" and Walker's Final Award
In 2015, "Furious 7," completed using CGI and body doubles to honor Paul Walker's legacy, was released to critical and commercial success. The film served as a touching tribute to Walker, who posthumously won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action for his role.
2015: Unfulfilled Role in "Hitman: Agent 47"
Paul Walker was slated to play Agent 47 in the film adaptation "Hitman: Agent 47" (2015), but his untimely death prevented him from taking on the role.
April 2016: Court Rules in Favor of Porsche
In April 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Philip S. Gutierrez ruled in favor of Porsche in a separate lawsuit filed by Kristine Rodas, Roger Rodas's widow.
August 11, 2018: "I Am Paul Walker" Documentary Released
The documentary "I Am Paul Walker", chronicling the life of Paul Walker, was released on August 11, 2018.
January 2020: Paul Walker's Car Collection Auctioned
In January 2020, 21 vehicles owned by Paul Walker were sold for a combined $2.33 million during an annual car auction in Arizona.