In Celebration Of Paul Walker’s Life, His 5 Best Movie Roles

It still seems surreal that Paul Walker has passed. I see it over and over on social media and the news and this reality still seems to be part of a movie. According to his twitter account the 40-year-old actor, husband and father died in a tragic car crash “while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide,” the event was in aide of the Filipino victims of Typhoon Haiyan. In remembrance of his memory, we bring you the 5 best roles of this great actor’s career. 

5. “Running Scared” (2006)

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Plot: Joey Gazelle (Paul Walker) is a low-ranking thug in the mafia. After a drug deal goes wrong two cops are shot and he is entrusted to dispose of the gun however, the neighbor kid steals the pistol and uses it to shoot his abusive stepfather. Now Joey has to find the kid and the gun before the police and the mob find them first.

His role: It’s no secret that this film’s strength was Walker’s acting. He manages to give the film frenetic energy through his gritty down for anything role. He goes up against drug dealers, pimps and a homeless man and even takes a puck to the mouth. Through his character, the audience has the opportunity to live the fear of every scene.

4. “Joy Ride” (2001)

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Plot: Lewis Thomas (Paul Walker), his girlfriend Venna (Leelee Sobieski), and brother Fuller (Steve Zahn) embark on a road trip from Colorado to New Jersey during which they prank call a trucker on their CB radio who then turns out to be a psychotic killer.

His role: This teen horror film was what first helped Walker finally start finding his way out of the usual pretty-boy supporting roles he played in “Varsity Blues” and “She’s All That,” and finally into a position where he was seen as capable of playing the lead role.

3. “Eight Below” (2006)

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Plot: After a massive storm, arctic guide Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) is forced to leave his eight sled dogs behind in a frozen mountain region. He is determined to go back and rescue them meanwhile the dogs struggle against the elements to survive as they attempt to make their way back home.

The role: This film allows us to see a more sensitive side of Walker where his tenderness and loyalty to his dogs is extremely heartwarming. “Eight Below” was Walker’s biggest commercial hit outside of “The Fast and The Furious” series.

2. “Flags of Our Fathers” (2006)

Plot: This film tells the life stories of the six Marines who raised the flag in 1945 at the Battle of Iwo Jima and the aftereffects on their lives.

His role: Walker played Sergeant Hank Hansen, a role that helped him be seen as a more serious and versatile actor.

1. “The Fast and The Furious” (2001)

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Plot: Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) is a youthful FBI agent that goes undercover to investigate a series of hijackings he suspects are done by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his street gang. Once O’Conner enters the world of late-night car races, he must reevaluate where his loyalties lie after he falls in love with the life style and with Toretto’s sister.

His role: Brian O’Conner was the role that shot the blue-eyed actor to stardom. In this film he and Vin Diesel give the winning combination of sexy, dangerous, risk-takers that has captured both male and female audiences and spanned the film into 7 movies. Walker’s astonishing screen presence takes the audience on a thrill ride as he plays both sides of the fence, taking us down to Toretto’s intriguing world while he tries to play by the law at the same time.

What do you think of our picks? Share your thoughts in the comments below