Paul Walker R.I.P. (1973 – 2013)

Actor Paul Walker died on Saturday. The sad announcement was made via his official Twitter and Facebook pages.

It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences. – #TeamPW

Just days ago, both Walker and FAST & FURIOUS co-star, Vin Diesel, posted this image of the next installment of the franchise via their Twitter and Facebook pages, respectively. FAST & FURIOUS 7 is currently filming, with a planned release date of Jul 11, 2014.

Universal Pictures issued a statement:

“All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films, and to countless fans.  We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul’s family.”

Tyrese Gibson posted on his Facebook page:

My heart is hurting so bad
no one can make me believe this is real
Father God I pray that you send clarity over this cause I just don’t understand
My heart hurts it’s broken no one can convince me that this is real…. Prayer warriors please pray real hard for his only child, his daughter and family… #HeartOfAnAngel13YrsFamilyForeverWeJustCelebreatedYour40thBirthday….. My God… My God… I can’t believe I’m writing this

Dwayne Johnson also sent his condolences on Twitter

All my strength, love & faith to the Walker family during this heartbreaking time. We find our strength.. in his light. Love you brother.

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 1, 2013

His latest movie, HOURS, is due to be released in 2 weeks in theaters and VOD on December 13. Walker plays a father struggling to keep his infant daughter alive in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. (TRAILER).

HOURS premiered at the 2013 SXSW Film Conference & Festival, receiving very positive reviews for both the film and Walker’s performance.

Born September 12, 1973, Paul Walker has managed a balance of successful box-office films, dramatic roles and documentaries to elevate his leap to leading-man status on the big screen.

Among Walker’s upcoming projects is the action crime-drama BRICK MANSIONS, about an undercover cop trying to take down a ruthless crime lord. The film began production in May in Montreal and was set to be released by Relativity Media next year.

Walker has displayed his versatility by continuously transforming on-screen. We saw him as a soldier in Clint Eastwood’s World War II drama FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, for Paramount Pictures in 2006. That same year, he starred in Disney’s box-office hit EIGHT BELOW, directed by Frank Marshall, portraying Jerry Shepard, a lead research scientist who was forced to abandon his team of sled dogs. Walker previously co-starred alongside Matt Dillon and Hayden Christensen in Screen Gems’ crime-action movie TAKERS.

In RUNNING SCARED, a thriller written and directed by Wayne Kramer (The Cooler), Walker starred with Vera Farmiga. He portrayed a desperate father trying to protect his son after a tangle-up with the mob in a cop shooting. Walker starred opposite Jessica Alba in the action-thriller INTO THE BLUE, for director John Stockwell. He starred alongside Susan Sarandon, Penélope Cruz, Robin Williams and Alan Arkin in Chazz Palminteri’s 2004 directorial debut, NOEL, about a group of New Yorkers who come together on Christmas Eve.

In 2003, Walker co-starred in director Richard Donner’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel “Timeline” and starred in John Singleton’s 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS, the sequel to THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, which grossed more than $127 million at the box office. In 2001, Walker starred opposite Steve Zahn and Leelee Sobieski in 20th Century Fox’s critically praised thriller JOY RIDE, which was directed by John Dahl.

Walker’s additional credits include the box-office hit THE SKULLS, directed by Rob Cohen; the football dramedy VARSITY BLUES; the critically acclaimed film PLEASANTVILLE, from writer/director Gary Ross; Miramax’s SHE’S ALL THAT; BROKEDOWN PALACE; and THE DEATH and LIFE OF BOBBY Z.

In November 2009, Walker was seen on National Geographic Channel’s Expedition Great White, a documentary devoted to exploring the dangers of one of nature’s most challenging and perilous creatures. Walker teamed up with marine biologists to journey off the coast of Baja California, in order to track how these SUV-sized predators live.