Paul Walker has died in a car accident in Santa Clarita, California. The actor was 40.
A statement from his official Facebook page says Walker was attending a charity event when the accident happened. Both he and his friend behind the wheel, Roger Rodas, lost their lives.
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, the post reads. 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.
His official Twitter account also confirmed the news.
Since his rise to popularity in the late ’90s, Walker appeared in a number of high profile Hollywood films, including Pleasantville, Varsity Blues and Flags of Our Fathers. But it is his role as Brian O’Connor in the Fast & the Furious for which he will be best remembered, having starred in a total of six films in Universal’s high octane action franchise since 2001. Walker’s death will inevitably leave a massive hole in any subsequent installments.
Universal has released this 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.
Walker has a number of upcoming films on the release slate, including the suspense drama Hours, set to open later this month. Unfortunately, we will never see his anticipated interpretation of Agent 47 in the Hitman reboot, announced earlier this year.
Walker leaves behind a daughter, Meadow. He will be missed.