Vin Diesel

Mark Sinclair, professionally known as Vin Diesel, is an American Hollywood actor and film producer born on July 18, 1967. Diesel is one of the highest-grossing actors in the world and is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the “Fast and Furious” franchise and Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Diesel is everyone’s favorite action star, and his talent precedes him. So, join us in celebrating his birthday today!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Mark Sinclair

Nickname:

Vin Diesel

Birth date:

July 18, 1967

Age:

56

Zodiac Sign:

Cancer

Height:

5' 10"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$225 million

Mark's Social Media:

Background

Mark Sinclair, known professionally as Vin Diesel, is a celebrated Hollywood actor and producer whose talents have earned him immeasurable fame and success. Diesel was born on July 18, 1967, in Alameda County, California. He later moved to New York and was raised by his astrologer mother, Delora Sherleen Claire, and adoptive African-American father, Irving Vincent, a theater manager and acting coach. Diesel is multiracial, but he’s got English, German and, Scottish roots. He’s a Cancer by design and debuted as an actor at age seven in the kid’s play “Dinosaur Door.” He attended Hunter College in New York and began screenwriting.

Although he was uncredited in the cast, Diesel got his first film role in “Awakenings” (1990). Following his lack of success at auditions, Diesel wrote, directed, produced, and starred in “Multi-Facial” (1994), his short drama film. The film was semi-autobiographical and highlighted his struggles as a multiracial actor. “Multi-Facial” was selected for screening at the Cannes Festival in 1995. In 1997, he made his first feature-length film called “Strays.” In 1998, he was cast in the Oscar-winning film by Steven Spielberg, “Saving Private Ryan.” In 2000, Diesel appeared in “Boiler Room” with Ben Affleck and Giovanni Ribisi. His breakthrough leading role was in “Pitch Black” the same year. Then came “The Fast and the Furious” in 2001 and “XXX” in 2002, movies that gave him an action-hero persona.

Diesel went on to star in multiple movies including “The Pacifier” (2005), “Babylon A.D.” (2008), and several more, before returning to the “Fast and Furious” series. After “Fast & Furious 4” (2009), Diesel reprised his role in five more installments. The most recent installment, “F9,” was released in 2021. The actor’s talent was crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, and by 2014, he voiced Groot in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Diesel has appeared in over 40 movies and in September 2020, he debuted his venture into music with the song “Feel Like I Do.” Diesel has proven he’s a man of many talents, and as one with immense success, he shares it with the people he loves the most, his family.

On November 30, 2013, the actor experienced a tragic loss when his close friend and “Fast and Furious” co-star, Paul Walker, was killed in a single-vehicle collision. Diesel paid tribute to his friend and has done so every year since his death. In terms of his personal life, the actor has been in a relationship with model Paloma Jimenez since 2007, and the couple has three children together.

Vin Diesel Movies

MovieYearCharacter
Thor: Love and Thunder2022Groot
F92021Dominic Toretto
Bloodshot2020Ray Garrison
Avengers: Endgame2019Groot
Ralph Breaks the Internet2018Groot
Avengers: Infinity War2018Groot
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 22017Groot
The Fate of the Furious2017Dominic Toretto
XXX: Return of Xander Cage2017Xander Cage
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk2016Shroom
The Last Witch Hunter2015Kaulder
Furious 72015Dominic Toretto
Guardians of the Galaxy2014Groot
Riddick2013Richard B. Riddick
Riddick: Blindsided2013Richard B. Riddick
Fast & Furious 62013Dominic Toretto
Fast Five2011Dominic Toretto
Los Bandoleros2009Dominic Toretto
Fast & Furious2009Dominic Toretto
Babylon A.D.2008Hugo Cornelius Toorop
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift2006Dominic Toretto
Find Me Guilty2006Jackie DiNorscio
The Pacifier2005Lieutenant Shane Wolfe
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury2004Richard B. Riddick
The Chronicles of Riddick2004Richard B. Riddick
A Man Apart2003Sean Vetter
XXX2002Xander Cage
Knockaround Guys2001Taylor Reese
The Fast and the Furious2001Dominic Toretto
Pitch Black2000Richard B. Riddick
Boiler Room2000Chris Varick
The Iron Giant1999The Iron Giant
Saving Private Ryan1998Private Adrian Caparzo
Strays1997Rick
Multi-Facial1995Mike
Awakenings1990Orderly

 

Career timeline

1990
His Film Debut

Diesel plays a small part in “Awakenings.”

1997
His First Feature-Length Film

Diesel creates and stars in “Strays” which gets the attention of Steven Spielberg.

2000
His Breakthrough Role

Diesel plays Riddick in “Pitch Black.”

2001
The First of the Franchise

He stars as Dominic Toretto in "The Fast and the Furious," the first movie in the long-running franchise.

2009
“Fast & Furious 4”

Diesel reprises his role as Toretto in this movie and in five more installments.

2013
Hollywood Walk of Fame

Diesel gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2014
"Guardians of the Galaxy"

He voices the character Groot in the first (and subsequent) movie in the Marvel franchise.

2020
"Bloodshot"

He plays the lead character in the superhero film.

Why We Love Vin Diesel

  1. His charismatic screen presence

    Vin Diesel has a charismatic and commanding presence on screen. His strong and intense performances in action films resonate with audiences and draw them into the story.

  2. He does his own stunts

    Diesel is dedicated to performing his own stunts in action sequences. This adds authenticity to his roles and showcases his skill and commitment to his craft.

  3. His charitable deeds

    He has been involved in various charitable endeavors and uses his platform to support a range of causes. Some of his notable efforts include work for the Paul Walker Foundation, which honors the memory of his late friend and fellow "Fast & Furious" co-star, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and supporting veterans, to name a few.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. He is a "Dungeons & Dragons" enthusiast

    He is a dedicated fan of the role-playing game, he has played it for many years and has even written the foreword for a "D&D" book.

  2. He was a bouncer

    Diesel worked as a bouncer before his acting career took off and worked at the famous NYC nightclub, Tunnel.

  3. He's multilingual

    He speaks several languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and some French.

  4. He dated Michelle Rodriguez

    Diesel and Rodriguez have great on-screen chemistry, so it only makes sense that they dated in 2001.

  5. He named his daughter after Paul Walker

    Walker’s death affected the entire “Fast and Furious” cast and crew, and Diesel immortalized him in his heart by naming his daughter, Pauline, after him.

Vin Diesel FAQs

Why did Vin Diesel change his name?

He believed that the name sounded strong and distinctive, which would help him stand out in the competitive world of Hollywood.

Who is Vin Diesel's goddaughter?

Diesel is the godfather of the late actor Paul Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker.

Was Vin Diesel on “The Masked Singer?”

Despite speculations, Diesel wasn’t on “The Masked Singer.”

What is Vin Diesel’s ethnicity?

Vin Diesel has mixed ethnicity. He was raised by his white mother, who has English, German, and Scottish roots, and his adoptive African-American father. The actor has previously described his ethnicity as ‘ambiguous.’

Does Vin Diesel have a twin?

Vin Diesel has a twin brother named Paul Vincent Sinclair. The two are fraternal twins and don’t look alike.

Vin Diesel’s birthday dates

YearDateDay
2024July 18Thursday
2025July 18Friday
2026July 18Saturday
2027July 18Sunday
2028July 18Tuesday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.