Paul Walker

**Paul William Walker IV** (September 12, 1973 – November 30, 2013) was an American actor. He played Erwin Smith in Attack on Titan.

## Carreer

Walker began a modelling career as a toddler, starring in a television commercial for Pampers at age two. He continued to appear in commercials, most notably for Showbiz Pizza in 1984, before beginning an acting career on television that year, appearing in the teen anthology series *CBS Schoolbreak Special*. Walker continued to work in television until 1996, across a number of genres; he appeared in two episodes of the fantasy drama *Highway to Heaven* between 1984 and 1986, and secured his first leading role in 1987, appearing as Jeremy Beatty in the sitcom *Throb*. He continued to feature on sitcoms in the early 1990s, with guest roles in *Charles in Charge*, *Who's the Boss?*, and the short-lived *What a Dummy*. In 1993, he portrayed Brandon Collins on the soap opera *The Young and the Restless*; he and co-star Heather Tom, who played Victoria Newman, gained fame, and were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Soap Opera at the Youth in Film Awards. Walker's final television role was on *Touched by an Angel*, although appeared as himself, alongside his sister Ashlie, as contestants on a 1988 episode of the game show *I'm Telling!*, in which they finished in second place.

Walker began his film career in 1986, appearing mainly in low budget B films. His first role was in the horror comedy *Monster in the Closet*, and a year later, starred in The Retaliator (retroactively subtitled *Programmed to Kill*), a science fiction film. In 1994, he returned to film, starring in *Tammy and the T-Rex*, but secured his first feature film role in the comedy *Meet the Deedles* in 1998; although commercially and critically unsuccessful, it allowed Walker to secure supporting roles in the films *Pleasantville* (1998), *Varsity Blues* (1999), *She's All That* (1999), and *The Skulls* (2000).

In 2001, Walker's breakthrough role was starring opposite Vin Diesel in the action film *The Fast and the Furious*; it was commercially successful, and subsequently launched a media franchise. The film also established Walker as a film star and leading man, as his performance garnered the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team (shared with Diesel) in 2002. Walker starred in the critically successful thriller *Joy Ride* (2001), also focusing on car-related action, and reprised his role as Brian O'Conner in the 2003 sequel *2 Fast 2 Furious*. After this, he starred either in low-budget or commercially unsuccessful films for a time, notably *Timeline* (2003) and *Into the Blue* (2005).

Walker portrayed Hank Hansen in Clint Eastwood's war film *Flags of Our Fathers* (2006) and starred in the survival drama *Eight Below*, both released in 2006. *Eight Below* garnered critical acclaim and opened in first place at the box office, grossing over US$20 million during its opening weekend. Walker then starred in the independent film *The Lazarus Project*, which was released on DVD on October 21, 2008.

Despite initial reluctance, Walker reprised his role as Brian O'Conner after seven years, in *Fast & Furious* (2009). The film became the highest-grossing film in the franchise up until that point. He then reprised his role in the fifth and sixth installments of the franchise, which were commercially successful, while his performances were praised. Walker was nominated for Choice Movie Actor – Action at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards for the former, and nominated for Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Diesel and Dwayne Johnson) and won his second MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo with Diesel for the latter. Walker also starred in the heist film *Takers* (2010), and returned to modelling in 2011, appearing as the face of fragrance brand Cool Water. In 2012, he founded the film production company Laguna Ridge Pictures, which signed a first-look deal with *Fast & Furious* distributor Universal Pictures.

After his death in 2013, four films starring Walker were released; the thriller film *Hours* (2013), the action film *Brick Mansions* (2014), itself a remake of the French film *District 13* (2004). He also served as executive producer on the film *Pawn Shop Chronicles* (2013), while *Furious 7*, originally slated for release in 2014, was pushed back to recreate Walker's likeness. The filmmakers hired Peter Jackson's Weta Digital visual effects house to complete this, using existing reference materials, Walker's brothers Caleb and Cody, as well as actor John Brotherton, as stand-ins, and outtakes or older footage, to create an accurate remodel of Walker's face. The film was then released in 2015, and Walker won the award for Choice Movie Actor: Action at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards, and was nominated for Choice Movie: Chemistry (shared with Diesel, Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, and Ludacris).

Walker was also set to play Agent 47 in the film adaptation *Hitman: Agent 47* (2015), but died before production began. It was later revealed Walker declined the role of Superman in *Superman Returns* (2006), allegedly due to the "Superman curse" and the celebrity associated with the role.

## Attack on Titan

Paul was very demanded to play Erwin Smith. The casting directors agreed he had the look and the acting skills but what was defining on him getting the part was his age. About his casting Paul said "They called my agent and asked if I wanted to come read for Erwin, and it was the first time it happened to me so I was pretty excited. But when I showed up to audition there were about 10 other 'blond haired blue eyed' guys and all younger than me. So I thought that I was done, I was sure they were gonna choose a fresh new face over my used one". Later the directors revealed that for a man as experienced and imposing as Erwin Smith, the actor needed to be himself experienced and imposing. Hence choosing Paul for the part.

Paul started appearing, as part of the main cast, in the seconcd part of Season 1. His character died in Season 3, and with that he left the show.

About Erwin's death, he said "I am actually happy with it. Not that he died but the way he died. He was a true leader, and he died doing what a true leader does best, which is making the though decisions and owning the consequences. Erwin is such a great character and I had an absolute blast playing him next to this amazing cast.

Paul died about 9 months after wrapping his part in the show.