Paul Walker, an actor best known for his role as a fast-driving cop opposite bad-guy-gone-good Vin Diesel in the Fast and Furious movie series died on Saturday in a car crash in Santa Clarita, Calif., according to multiple reports. Walker was 40 years old.
News of the fatal crash first spread online after celebrity news site TMZ broke the story. Initially, most other news outlets and Twitter accounts picked it up as a report.
Has it been confirmed by other news sources? RT @LanceUlanoff: Paul Walker dies in crash: report http://t.co/rIPIlVNfo3 #RIP— Jodi Echakowitz (@JodiEchakowitz) December 1, 2013
Across Twitter, fans expressed disbelief. Most assumed it was a hoax.
@LanceUlanoff it's said to be a hoax.— $King Koopa$ MK-47 (@konopamike) December 1, 2013
OMG! What!? RT @TMZ #BREAKING Paul Walker Dead http://t.co/RavOus0BkM— Chelsea Briggs (@Chelsea_Briggs) December 1, 2013
It was another hour before TMZ and then ABC News confirmed Walker's death with the actor's representatives.
TMZ.com was inundated with traffic and for a brief period of time, it went down. An updated version of the story added this sentence: "A rep for the actor confirms Paul died today in the crash after leaving a charity event."
According to the AP, Walker was a passenger in a friend's Porsche, which crashed into a light pole and tree before bursting into flames. Dramatic images of the wreckage soon popped up on Twitter.
Mangled & burned wreckage of Paul Walker’s Porsche. "Fast & Furious" star died in it. http://t.co/ecCWooArz3 pic.twitter.com/GVB5VZVDMX— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) December 1, 2013
Within a few hours, "Fast and Furious" was trending on Twitter, followed later by "RIP Paul Walker." As news of his death spread, thousands started following the actor's Twitter account.
Throughout the evening, Walker's fans, especially those of the long-running Fast and Furious films, as well as celebrities expressed shock and sadness.
All my strength, love & faith to the Walker family during this heartbreaking time. We find our strength.. in his light. Love you brother.— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 1, 2013
Rest in peace Paul walker this makes me so sad fast and furious movies are some of my favorites— Googz (@G_Googz) December 1, 2013
Shocked and stunned by the news of #PaulWalker. RIP. Far too young and far too sudden.— Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 1, 2013
Rest in Peace Paul Walker!!!! You be missed my brother!!!! http://t.co/PkJZ0nCmHT— AKON (@Akon) December 1, 2013
Shocked & Saddened by #PaulWalker's passing, generous & kind, an Honour to have known him, thoughts to all suffering pic.twitter.com/rk1tSwh60F— Robert Maillet (@Robert_Maillet) December 1, 2013
Your humble spirit was felt from the start, wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark,… http://t.co/nUiPPIU9Bb— Ludacris (@Ludacris) December 1, 2013
I didn’t know him well at all, but I know that the world lost an incredibly kind man in Paul Walker today. So truly sad.— Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) December 1, 2013
This is horrendous. "@daxholt: Whaaaaattttttttt?!?!?!??! @TMZ: #BREAKING Paul Walker Dead http://t.co/E3RDz4YQFv”— Danielle Fishel (@daniellefishel) December 1, 2013
Deeply saddened to hear about the death of Paul Walker, who twice graced the cover of @MensHealthMag. Our condolences to his daughter and...— Men's Health Mag (@MensHealthMag) December 1, 2013
A very sad day indeed. R.I.P. Paul Walker. Our prayers are with you and your family.— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) December 1, 2013
Shocked & sad to hear about Paul Walker. Met him several times over the years- a hard worker & always kind. Prayers … http://t.co/wVAKxf97Yr— Seth Green (@SethGreen) December 1, 2013
No, @RealPaulWalker. No. No. No. Rest with the angels. You. Sweet boy. #beauty #love #RIP— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 1, 2013
According to IMDB, Walker starred in at least 40 TV shows and films, two of which were still in production, including the latest installment of Fast and Furious.
Universal, the studio responsible for the Fast and Furious films, issued the following statement:
Universal Pictures, studio behind 'Fast & Furious' franchise, statement on the death of Paul Walker pic.twitter.com/e0mkNE1Gnt— NBC Nightly News (@nbcnightlynews) December 1, 2013
The actor's official Facebook page posted this message:
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Post by Paul Walker.
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