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.
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 & 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: 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.
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.
February 2023: Riddick: Furya Announcement
In February 2023, Riddick: Furya, the fourth installment of The Chronicles of Riddick franchise, was announced, with Vin Diesel set to appear.
2023: I Am Groot
In 2023, Vin Diesel reprised his role as Groot for the Disney+ animated shorts series I Am Groot.
