Fernando Carrera

Paul William Walker IV (1973-2013) was an American actor. He gained recognition with his role in the 1999 film *Varsity Blues*, but achieved widespread fame as Brian O'Conner in the *Fast & Furious* franchise. Born in Glendale, California in 1973, his mother Cheryl was a model and his father Paul worked in sewer systems. He had two brothers, Caleb and Cody, and two sisters, Ashlie and Amie. His sister Ashlie had minor roles in several TV series in the 1980s. Raised in a Mormon family, Walker attended Mormon schools. A childhood admirer of Jacques Cousteau, he majored in Marine Biology in college. He was involved in television from a young age, appearing in commercials for diapers and pizza chains and acting in TV series. He made his film debut in the 1986 movie *Monster in the Closet*, though he didn't achieve much success initially. His first major breakthrough came with the 1998 comedy *Meet the Deedles*. He landed the role of undercover FBI agent Brian O'Conner in the 2001 film *The Fast and the Furious*, catapulting him to international stardom. While continuing the *Fast & Furious* franchise, he also starred in significant Hollywood productions such as *Into the Blue*, *Flags of Our Fathers*, and *Takers*. He also appeared in *Fast Five* and *Fast & Furious 6*. He had a role in *Fast & Furious 7*, though it was unfinished at the time of his death. One of his last completed films, *Hours*, was released in December 2013. He also featured in three episodes of the 2010 National Geographic series *Expedition Great White*, tagging and studying great white sharks off the coast of Mexico. During the filming of *Fast & Furious 6*, he tore his ACL and underwent surgery, delaying filming until his recovery. A lifelong ocean enthusiast, Walker also had a passion for speed and cars. He even drove his own modified Nissan Skyline in *2 Fast 2 Furious*, performing some stunts without a stunt double, and participated in several professional car races. A compassionate individual concerned about natural disasters worldwide, he founded the Reach Out Worldwide relief organization and participated in relief efforts following the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. On November 30, 2013, he died in a car accident in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California, following a charity event for victims of the Philippines typhoon. The Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in veered off the road and hit a tree, resulting in a fire. Both Walker and the driver, Roger Rodas, were killed instantly. Rodas was the operator of Walker's custom car shop in Valencia and also his financial advisor and close friend. Their bodies were severely burned and identification required dental records. The autopsy determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma and burns. Walker was buried on December 14th at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. His funeral was private, attended only by family, close friends, and invited guests. It is believed that he was cremated. He had a daughter, Meadow Rain, born in 1998, with his former girlfriend Rebecca McBrain. His will left his $25 million estate to his daughter, to be managed by her mother until she reached adulthood.