Vin Diesel Instagram
Vin Dieselis remembering his friendPaul Walker.
Diesel, 56, shared a touching tribute to Walker, who died in 2013, to honor the late actor’s 50th birthday on Tuesday.
“A decade… ten long years… and yet it feels like yesterday when we were singing happy birthday to you for the big 40!” theFast Xstar wrote, reflecting on the upcoming tenth anniversary of Walker’s death and the last birthday they celebrated together.
“The world isn’t the same brother… as a species, one might say we are struggling. But I think of you, and I smile and know everything is going to be alright," Diesel wrote.
Diesel then shared the backstory of the photo — which featured a younger looking version of the two actors; Walker’s arm around Diesel, and Diesel holding what looks like a cocktail shaker.
“For me this picture represents the moment I knew we would be brothers for eternity," Diesel explained. “January 2010, the night before you and I went to Haiti… the passion and joy you had to simply help people. You said first responders shouldn’t have to wait for anyone… and that you wanted to dedicate your life to that. First responders… that was your true self, and you were sharing it with me, your brother.”
Diesel also shared that his son, Vincent, 13, saw him looking at the photo of his younger self and Walker and said, “‘That’s such a timeless photo, Dad… one that will live on for generations of humanity.’”
Vincent added, “‘It’s why I want to build cars, for him,’” Diesel shared in the post.
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker on the “Fast & Furious” red carpet in 2009.Jeff Vespa/WireImage
Jeff Vespa/WireImage
Meadow Walker, the daughter of the late actor, also shared atributeon Tuesday in honor of her father’s birthday.
“Happy birthday to my guardian angel 🤍,” the model and actress wrote alongside a sweet black-and-white photo from her childhood. “Thank you for your love, guidance, friendship, sunshine and for raising me to see all of the beauty in the world. You are the most kind, humble, generous and caring soul I know. You taught me at a young age to always treat everyone with respect, to do good and to take care of our planet.”
She added, “I love you and miss you every day.”
Paul Walker and his daughter Meadow Walker.Meadow Walker/Instagram
The 24-year-old has spent much of this year paying tribute to her father, as shemade a cameo in the newestFast and Furiousinstallment,Fast X, this spring.
“Thanks to my dad, I was born into the fast family. I can’t believe now I get to be up there too. With those who have been around to see me grow up,” she wrote in aposton Instagram announcing the cameo. “I am so blessed to be able to honor my father’s legacy and share this with him forever.”
Meadow’s cameo was a special one for the cast members, too.
“It did something to my soul, to see her want to honor her father and to contribute in her own way to his life’s work,” Diesel told PEOPLE of the appearance. “… It meant everything.”
Michelle Rodriguezsaid, “It’s everything to us because [Paul’s] memory is never going to die within the franchise, so as long as we’re doing it, we have to maintain that, [keeping his] energy alive.”
Meadow is now “woven into the fabric forever,”Jordana Brewstersaid, adding, “To have her be on set and work her butt off was really, really inspiring.”
The cast of ‘The Fast And The Furious’ in 2001.Universal/Getty Images
Universal/Getty Images
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InFast X, Meadow stars as a flight attendant who hands Jakob Toretto (John Cena) a few small bottles of alcohol.
Walker starred in the first seven movies of the action franchise. He made his final appearance as Brian O’Conner inFurious 7, which debuted in 2015. Filming was completed with help from his brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, whostarred as body doubles for his characterin the wake of his death.
source: people.com
