Paul Walker -- who died on Saturday in a car crash -- won't just be remembered for his starring role in the "Fast and the Furious" film franchise or his love of cars, but also for his philanthropy.The 40-year-old actor spent the day of his death taking part in a holiday toy drive to benefit those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillippines, which was put on by his charity, Reach Out Worldwide.
And while it is no secret that Walker was deeply committed to helping others, an anecdote from more than a decade ago illustrates exactly the kind of man he was.
Santa Barbara jewelry saleswoman Irene King recently recounted a heartwarming story to CNN in which the actor went above and beyond to help a young U.S. military veteran who was shopping for wedding rings with his fiance.
The groom was just back from duty in Iraq, and he was going to be deployed again soon and wanted to buy a wedding ring, but he said he just could not afford it. I don't think the soldier realized how expensive those rings are, about $10,000. Walker called the manager over and said, "Put that girl's ring on my tab." Walker left all his billing info, and it was a done deal. The couple was stunned. She was thrilled and could not believe someone did this.
King said it was "the most generous thing [she had] ever seen."
Walker was in the passenger seat of a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas when the car hit a light pole and burst into flames in Valencia, Calif. Both men died on the scene. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office,speed was a factor in the crash.
The actor and his friend Roger Rodas died after the Porsche Carrera GT hit a light pole and burst into flames in Valencia, Calif. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, speed was a factor in the crash.
Credit to CNN