Paul Walker, the handsome and charismatic star of the Fast & Furious series of films, was killed in a car crash yesterday as he was returning from a fund-raiser for his Reach out Worldwide charity, to benefit the survivors of the typhoon in the Philippines.  It is a very sad loss.  Walker modestly described himself on his Twitter page as “outdoorsman, ocean addict, adrenaline junkie… and I do some acting on the side.”  He was the son of a model and first worked as a model himself when he was still a toddler.  At age eight he was appearing on television shows like “Touched by an Angel” and “Who’s the Boss?”  After breakthrough roles in “Pleasantville,” “Varsity Blues,” “She’s All That,” and “The Skulls,” he was cast in the first “Fast and Furious” film as Brian O’Conner, a cop who goes undercover in the world of street racing and finds himself allied with the charismatic character played by Vin Diesel.  It turned into one of the most enduringly successful franchises of the last ten years.  Perhaps his best performance was in “Eight Below.”

Walker majored in marine biology in college and the oceans were his passion.  He starred in the 2010 National Geographic Channel series Expedition Great White.  He was a devoted father and a fine actor.  He worked hard to help others and protect the environment.  He will be missed.  May his memory be a blessing.