Paul Walker would have turned 41 today. His birthday is being celebrated by countless fans (and supportive Web sites) around the globe. But no tribute will carry the emotional heft and physical sadness as the memory Vin Diesel posted to his Facebook page, capturing a moment shared one year ago today on the set of Fast & Furious 7.
Post by Vin Diesel.
"Where is everybody?" Vin Diesel questions as Fast & Furious 7 co-star Tyrese Gibson emerges from a warehouse just in time to see Paul Walker blow out his candles. The actor comes down the stairs, and embraces his brother, Vin, in the biggest bear hug. In an effort to embarrass Walker, Diesel starts to get the cast and crew to sing "Happy birthday" one more time before Walker bolts. The words "Miss you Pablo…" fill the screen. There likely isn’t a dry eye in the house.
One day after this video was shot, on September 13, 2013, the first official image from Fast & Furious 7 was shared by Vin Diesel, showing fans a showdown at a lake setting. No one could have known the tragedies that awaited this production team.
As mentioned, Vin Diesel isn’t the only member of Walker’s family – extended and otherwise – who remembers Paul Walker on his birthday. Jordana Brewster shared a sunset shot with a birthday wish.
And Paul Walker’s teenage daughter, Meadow, took to Instagram to remember her father with a beautiful, intimate shot.
The journey to Fast & Furious 7 has been extremely difficult, littered with obstacles that the crew has managed to overcome. But you know that the tributes – like the one Vin Diesel shared from the set of the movie – will continue right up until the moment that Fast & Furious 7 opens in theaters next April.
