Actor Paul Walker, who starred in the Fast and the Furious movie series, has died in a car crash near Los Angeles. He was 40.
His publicist said Walker died on Saturday afternoon but released no further details.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said two people were killed in a crash involving a red Porsche. Photos from the scene show a pile of twisted metal.
Walker was working on the latest Fast and the Furious film at the time of his death. He also starred in the suspense drama Hours, set for release this month.
A statement on the actor’s Facebook page said he was a passenger in a friend’s car and that Walker was in the area to attend a charity event for his organisation Reach Out Worldwide.
“We too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news,” the statement said.
Walker rode the Fast and the Furious franchise to stardom, starring in all but one of the six action blockbusters, beginning in 2001.
The blond, blue-eyed LA native brought California surfer good looks and an easy charm to the popular street-racing series.
“All of us at Universal are heartbroken,” Universal Pictures said in a statement.
“Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years.”
Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter.