Vin Diesel Honors Paul Walker on Would-Be 50th Birthday

Vin Diesel remembers his friend Paul Walker.

Diesel, 56, shared a touching tribute to Walker, who died in 2013, on his 50th birthday on Tuesday.

“Ten years… ten long years… but it still feels like yesterday for the 40 elders when we sang happy birthday to you!” the Fast X Star wrote reflecting on the tenth anniversary of Walker’s impending death and the last birthday they celebrated together.

“The world is not the same, brother… it could be said that we are struggling as a species. But I think of you, I smile, and I know everything will be okay,” Diesel wrote.

Diesel later shared the background of the photo, which featured a younger-looking version of the two actors; Walker’s arm wraps around Diesel, and Diesel is holding what looks like a cocktail shaker.

“For me, this picture represents the moment when I knew we would be brothers forever,” Diesel explained. “January 2010, the night before you and I went to Haiti… just the passion and joy you felt to help people. You said that first responders shouldn’t have to wait for anyone and that’s what you wanted to dedicate your life to. First responders… that was your true self and “You were sharing this with me, with your brother.”

The earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, widely considered one of the worst natural disasters in modern history, prompted Walker to not only visit Diesel and help with rescue and rescue efforts, but also to Reach Out Worldwide, a charity dedicated to helping This led him to establish . People were devastated by natural disasters.

The actor was leaving an event hosted by the charity when he died in a car crash in November 2013.

Diesel also shared that his 13-year-old son Vincent saw him looking at a photo of his younger self and Walker and said: “‘This is a timeless photo, Dad… a photo that will live on for generations of humanity.'”

Vincent added: “‘That’s why I want to build cars for him.’ shared Diesel in the post.

The late actor’s daughter, Meadow Walker, also shared a tribute in honor of her father’s birthday on Tuesday.

“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 raising me to see all 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 treat everyone with respect, to do good and to take care of our planet.”

“I love you and miss you every day,” he added.

The 24-year-old actor has spent much of this year paying tribute to his father and stars in this year’s newest film. Fast and furious installment, Fast Xthis spring.

“I was born into a fasting family, thanks to my father. I can’t believe I can be there now too. With those who were around to see me grow,” she wrote in a post on Instagram announcing the cameo. “I’m so blessed to be able to honor my father’s legacy and share it with him forever.”

Meadow’s cameo was special for the cast as well.

“It did something to my soul to see that he wanted to honor his father and contribute to his life’s work in his own way,” Diesel told PEOPLE of the appearance. “… That meant everything.”

Michelle Rodriguez said: “This is everything to us because [Paul’s] Memory will never die in the series, so we need to keep it going as long as we do it. [keeping his] The energy is alive.”

Jordana Brewster said Meadow has now “been woven into the fabric forever,” adding: “Having her on set and working her ass off was just so inspiring.”

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Inside Fast XMeadow plays a flight attendant who gives Jakob Toretto (John Cena) several small bottles of alcohol.

Walker appeared in the first seven films of the action franchise. He made his final appearance as Brian O’Conner. Furious 7It was released in 2015. Filming was completed with the help of his brothers Caleb and Cody Walker, who acted as stunt doubles for his character following his death.