Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Vin Diesel

How Vin Diesel built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Vin Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, is a prominent American actor and film producer recognized as one of the highest-grossing actors globally. He gained widespread fame for his portrayal of Dominic Toretto in the immensely successful Fast & Furious franchise, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the action film genre.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1990: Awakenings

In 1990, Vin Diesel had his first film role as an uncredited extra in the drama film Awakenings.

1994: Multi-Facial Creation

In 1994, Vin Diesel wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the short drama film Multi-Facial, a semi-autobiographical film.

1995: Multi-Facial

In 1995, Vin Diesel wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the short drama film Multi-Facial, showcasing his early filmmaking talents.

1995: Cannes Festival Screening

In 1995, Vin Diesel's short film Multi-Facial was selected for screening at the Cannes Festival.

1997: Strays

In 1997, Vin Diesel wrote, directed, and produced his debut feature film, Strays. The film was selected for competition at the Sundance Festival.

1998: Saving Private Ryan Appearance

In 1998, Vin Diesel appeared in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, which marked his first role in a major Hollywood film.

1999: The Iron Giant Voice Role

In 1999, Vin Diesel provided the voice of the title character in the animated film The Iron Giant.

2000: Boiler Room

In 2000, Vin Diesel appeared in Boiler Room.

2000: Boiler Room & Pitch Black

In 2000, Vin Diesel had a supporting role in Boiler Room and his breakthrough leading role in Pitch Black.

2001: The Fast and the Furious

In 2001, Vin Diesel achieved action hero stardom with his portrayal of Dominic Toretto in The Fast and the Furious.

2001: Fast and Furious series

In 2001, Vin Diesel began his role in the Fast and Furious series.

2002: XXX

In 2002, Vin Diesel starred as Xander Cage in the action thriller XXX.

2003: Turned Down Fast and Furious Sequel

In 2003, Vin Diesel turned down the chance to reprise his role in 2 Fast 2 Furious.

2004: The Chronicles of Riddick

In 2004, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Riddick in The Chronicles of Riddick.

2004: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay

In 2004, Vin Diesel voiced in The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.

2004: Foreword for D&D Book

In 2004, Vin Diesel wrote the foreword for 30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons, showcasing his longtime fandom.

2005: The Pacifier

In 2005, Vin Diesel appeared in The Pacifier.

2005: Turned Down XXX Sequel

In 2005, Vin Diesel turned down the chance to reprise his role in XXX: State of the Union.

2006: Find Me Guilty & Tokyo Drift Cameo

In 2006, Vin Diesel played Jack DiNorscio in Find Me Guilty and made a cameo in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

2007: Hitman Executive Producer

In 2007, Vin Diesel was set to star in Hitman, but pulled back and served as executive producer instead.

2008: Babylon A.D.

In 2008, Vin Diesel starred in the science-fiction action thriller Babylon A.D.

April 2009: Fast & Furious

In April 2009, Vin Diesel returned to the Fast & Furious series in Fast & Furious, alongside most of the original cast.

2009: Film Production in the Dominican Republic

In 2009, Vin Diesel secured film production in the Dominican Republic for Los Bandoleros and Fast & Furious.

2009: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

In 2009, Vin Diesel voiced in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

2011: Fast Five

In 2011, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Dominic Toretto in Fast Five.

2013: Riddick and Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2013, Vin Diesel starred in Riddick and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August.

2014: Guardians of the Galaxy

In 2014, Vin Diesel began voicing Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy.

2015: Furious 7

In 2015, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Dominic Toretto in Furious 7.

2015: The Last Witch Hunter

In 2015, Vin Diesel starred in the supernatural action film The Last Witch Hunter.

November 2016: Inhumans Casting Talks

In November 2016, James Gunn confirmed that Vin Diesel was in talks to play Black Bolt in the planned Inhumans film.

2016: Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

In 2016, Vin Diesel appeared in Ang Lee's war drama Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.

2017: The Fate of the Furious

In 2017, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Dominic Toretto in The Fate of the Furious.

2017: XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

In 2017, Vin Diesel reprised his roles in XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

2018: Avengers: Infinity War

In 2018, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Groot in Avengers: Infinity War.

2018: Ralph Breaks the Internet

In 2018, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Groot in the animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet.

2019: Avengers: Endgame

In 2019, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Groot in Avengers: Endgame.

March 2020: Bloodshot Release

In March 2020, Vin Diesel portrayed Bloodshot in the film of the same name, based on the Valiant Comics character.

September 2020: Music Debut

In September 2020, Vin Diesel announced his venture into music with the release of his song "Feel Like I Do," produced by Kygo.

2021: F9

In 2021, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Dominic Toretto in F9.

2022: I Am Groot and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

In 2022, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Groot for the Disney+ animated shorts series I Am Groot and the television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.