Darren's tribute to Paul Walker

I woke up on Sunday morning and checked my Twitter feed – as one does just before opening the Sunday papers with coffee and breakfast.

 

On Twitter I saw that Paul Walker had died in a car crash.  

 

At first I thought it was some kind of really, really sick joke because of the irony of the situation…the star of seven Fast & Furious movies had died in a car accident!?

 

And then I saw it from a second, third and fourth twitter handle and, again, I thought it was just really in poor taste.  

 

However – I did some more searching and when I had confirmed the story from various reputable news sources – it then finally sunk in that this was actually real.

 

Now for me, personally, I was really, really taken aback, shocked and very surprised at just how many people were asking who Paul Walker was.   

 

That really upset me, but after I had thought about it, it did make sense because as an actor he stayed away from all the gossip, the tabloids, the controversy etc.

 

Paul Walker was a real gentleman and for people who watch the Discovery Channel, they would have had an opportunity to see some of the amazing work Paul did as far as raising awareness of marine life, marine biology and more specifically highlighting the plight of the shark – which is also an issue very close to my heart.  So I suppose, in a way, I knew more about the actor that was Paul Walker than people who are not interested in marine biology or the future of sharks, both in the world and South Africa.

 

 

(Above: Paul Walker posted this photo to his Facebook page on November 24, writing: "Reach Out Worldwide needs your help to bring direct aid to typhoon victims in the #Philippines. All of us at Fast & Furious 7 thank you for any support you can offer to our efforts."

 

 

(Above: A shark research photo that was posted on Paul's Facebook page) 

 

That said, as an actor he was always very good at what he did.  In my opinion, completely underrated and even the movies outside of Fast & Furious he didn’t drop the ball.  Just think of:

 

• Pleasantville (1998)

• Varsity Blues (1999)

• Into the Blue (2005)

• Flags of our Fathers (2006)

• Hours (2013)

• Eight Below

 

 

(Above: Flashback. Paul Walker in the 80s)

 

Paul Walker definitely suffered the curse of the pretty boy when people just don’t take you too seriously.  If you watch his entire body of work, including the stuff he did outside of the silver screen i.e. the work he did for Discovery Channel and National Geographic, he was always a gentleman, a really nice guy who lived in the moment and for every day.

 

In my opinion it is just such a pity that not more people knew, or realised, what an amazing actor and person Paul Walker was.

 

From me, Darren Maule, I salute you Paul Walker and all you achieved.  You will be sorely missed.  May you Rest in Peace. 

 

- Darren Maule 

 

(Photos: Via Facebook/PaulWalker)