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01
Expressing his admiration for Steven Spielberg’s work, particularly Schindler’s List 1993, Diesel wrote a three-page letter that so impressed the director that he invited him to join the cast of Saving Private Ryan 1998.
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02
Diesel revealed in several interviews that he has remained extremely close to friend and The Fast and the Furious 2001 co-star Michelle Rodriguez; his children even refer to her as their aunt.
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03
His third child, a daughter, is named Pauline after late best friend and co-star Paul Walker; mother is Paloma Jiménez.
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04
Trading a cameo in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift 2006 for the rights to the character Riddick from Pitch Black 2000 and The Chronicles of Riddick 2004.
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05
Has a fraternal twin brother, Paul Vincent, who is a film editor.
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06
Was considered to voice the role of Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 before James Spader was cast.
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07
Revolution Studios wanted him for the title role in Hellboy 2004, but director Guillermo del Toro thought that Ron Perlman was the perfect choice and would not direct the movie if he was not cast.
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08
Is an admitted fan of Dungeons and Dragons, and, according to an interview on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, had then played for 24 years.
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09
He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 26, 2013; Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Universal Studios president Ron Meyer were guest speakers.
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10
Is the cousin of rapper and producer Kwamé; Kwame says if you watch his old videos, you’ll see Vin in a few of them.
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11
Wrote an original screenplay titled Doormen based on his experiences as a bouncer, as a follow-up to Strays 1997, his directorial debut; however, his acting career exploded and the concept eventually developed into the web series The Ropes 2011.
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12
Once worked as a telemarketer, selling light bulbs.
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13
He and his girlfriend, Paloma Jiménez, welcomed their first child, daughter Hania Riley, on April 2, 2008.
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14
Started the video game company Tigon Studios in 2002, which worked on the movie-based game The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay 2004.
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15
During his teens, he performed breaking breakdancing in an instructional video on the subject.
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16
His second child, a boy named Vincent Sinclair Diesel, was born in 2010; mother is Paloma Jiménez.
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17
He worked as a bouncer in New York at the famous nightclubs Tunnel which has since closed and Mars.
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18
Born Mark Sinclair in Alameda County, California where his mother was also born; he later moved to New York City, where he was raised; his mother has English, German, Scottish, Austrian and Irish ancestry, while his biological father’s identity is not publicly known; he has described himself as definitely a person of color.
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19
Was offered the role of Matt Murdock and Daredevil in Daredevil 2003 that eventually went to Ben Affleck.
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20
Has a younger sister, Samantha Vincent, and a younger brother, in addition to his fraternal twin Paul.
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21
Credits the book Feature Filmmaking at Used Car Prices by Rick Schmidt as the one resource above all upon which he built his career; it gave him the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to develop his short film Multi-Facial 1995.
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22
Has an Italian Mastiff named Roman.
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23
Attended Hunter College and got his jump start by Steven Spielberg just like fellow actors Sam Feuer and Edward Burns.
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24
Walked goddaughter Meadow Walker down the aisle at her wedding; Meadow is the daughter of his close friend the late Paul Walker.
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25
Has appeared in two films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Awakenings 1990 and Saving Private Ryan 1998.
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26
He was cast opposite Ben Affleck in Reindeer Games 2000, but left the production shortly after filming began over concerns with the screenplay and creative differences with director John Frankenheimer.
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27
Producing partner with George Zakk; their company is called One Race Productions; also owns a record label called Racetrack Records.
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28
He gained 35 pounds so he could portray Fat Jackie in Find Me Guilty 2006.
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29
In addition to being considered for the role of Hellboy in 2004, he was also considered for the role of Abe Sapien.
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30
Ranked #46 in Premiere magazine’s 2003 annual Power 100 List; had ranked #95 in 2002.
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31
Despite being only 5′ 11¾ 1.82 m, his muscular physique makes him look bigger and taller.
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32
He has appeared in one film that has been selected for the National Film Registry: Saving Private Ryan 1998.
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33
Both of his movies that came out in 2000, Boiler Room 2000 and Pitch Black 2000, were released on the same day, February 18, 2000.
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34
Was listed as a potential nominee on both the 2003 and 2004 Razzie Award nominating ballots; he was listed for Worst Actor for The Chronicles of Riddick 2004 but did not win.
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35
He was at one point into mind for the role of a Terminator in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines 2003.
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36
His favorite movie is Gone with the Wind 1939.
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37
Currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
