Vin Diesel is one of the most popular and highest-grossing actors in the world. He is best known for his role as Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, which has spanned nine films and two spin-offs. He is also known for his voice work as Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as the title character in The Iron Giant. Vin Diesel is not only an actor, but also a producer, writer, and director. He has founded his own production company, One Race Films, and his own video game developer, Tigon Studios. He is a versatile and charismatic performer who can handle both action and comedy genres. He is also a devoted father of three children and a loyal friend to his co-stars.

Field | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Mark Sinclair |
Professional | Actor, producer, writer, director |
Birthday | July 18, 1967 |
Birth place | Alameda County, California, U.S |
Birth sign | Cancer |
Height | 6 ft (182 cm) |
Weight | 225 lbs (102 kg) |
Age | 56 years old (as of 2023) |
Family members | Paloma Jimenez (partner), Hania Riley Sinclair (daughter), Vincent Sinclair (son), Pauline Sinclair (daughter), Paul Vincent (twin brother) |
Net worth | $225 million (as of 2020) |
Nationality | American |
Movies | Some of his notable movies are: Saving Private Ryan (1998), Pitch Black (2000), The Fast and the Furious (2001), xXx (2002), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), The Pacifier (2005), Find Me Guilty (2006), Fast Five (2011), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Furious 7 (2015), The Last Witch Hunter (2015), xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Bloodshot (2020), F9 (2021) |
Table of Contents
Vin Diesel’s Birth Place and Ethnicity
Vin Diesel was born as Mark Sinclair on July 18, 1967, in Alameda County, California, U.S He has a fraternal twin brother named Paul Vincent, who is also involved in the film industry as an editor Vin Diesel’s mother, Delora Sherleen Vincent (née Sinclair), is an astrologer who has English, German, and Scottish ancestryVin Diesel’s biological father is unknown, and he was raised by his adoptive father, Irving H. Vincent, an African-American acting instructor and theater manager. Vin Diesel has said that he is “of ambiguous ethnicity” and that he never met his biological father. He has also said that his parents’ relationship would have been illegal in some parts of the U.S. due to anti-miscegenation laws at the time.
Vin Diesel’s Early Life and Education
Vin Diesel grew up in New York City, where he lived in an artists’ housing project in Greenwich Village with his mother, brother, and stepfather.He was exposed to the theater world from a young age, as his stepfather ran a repertory company called Theater for the New City. Vin Diesel made his stage debut at age seven, when he appeared in a children’s play called Dinosaur Door, written by Barbara Garson. He later attended the city’s Hunter College High School, where he excelled in creative writing and theater. He dropped out of college after three years to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.
Vin Diesel’s Distinctive Features and Appeal
Vin Diesel is known for his distinctive features and appeal as an action star. He has a shaved head, a muscular physique, a raspy voice, and a rough-hewn charm that make him stand out from other actors. He is also known for his versatility and charisma, as he can handle both action and comedy genres with ease. He has a loyal fan base that admires his work ethic, his dedication to his family and friends, and his passion for his projects. He is also a producer, writer, and director who has founded his own production company, One Race Films, and his own video game developer, Tigon Studios.
Vin Diesel’s Career Breakthrough and Success
Vin Diesel’s career breakthrough came when he wrote, directed, and starred in a short film called Multi-Facial (1995), which was based on his own experiences as a biracial actor struggling to get roles. The film caught the attention of director Steven Spielberg, who cast him in the award-winning war epic Saving Private Ryan (1998). Vin Diesel then gained fame and recognition for his roles as Richard Riddick in the sci-fi film Pitch Black (2000) and as Dominic Toretto in the action film The Fast and the Furious (2001). He reprised these roles in several sequels and spin-offs that became some of the highest-grossing films of all time. He also starred in other successful films such as xXx (2002), The Pacifier (2005), Find Me Guilty (2006), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Furious 7 (2015), The Last Witch Hunter (2015), xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Bloodshot (2020).
Vin Diesel’s Achievements and Awards
Vin Diesel has achieved a great deal of success throughout his career, both as an actor and a producer. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Starring as Dominic Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise, which is one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time, grossing over $5 billion globally.
- Voicing Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is also one of the most successful film franchises in history, grossing over $22 billion worldwide.
- Creating his own production company, One Race Films, which has produced several of his films, such as Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, xXx, and The Last Witch Hunter.
- Founding his own video game developer, Tigon Studios, which has developed games based on his films, such as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and Wheelman.
- Writing, directing, and starring in his own short film, Multi-Facial, which was selected to screen at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995 and caught the attention of Steven Spielberg.

Vin Diesel has also won awards and accolades for his acting skills, such as:
- MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo with Paul Walker for Fast & Furious 6 in 2014.
- Black Reel Award for Outstanding Voice Performance for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2018.
- People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor for F9: The Fast Saga in 2021.
- March Monthly Award for Best Producer for A War Hero 3.0 at the Tagore International Film Festival in 2023.
Vin Diesel’s Marital Status and Family
Vin Diesel is not married, but he has been in a long-term relationship with Paloma Jiménez since 2007. Jiménez is a Mexican model who has appeared on the covers of Maxim and Max magazines5. She is also a very private person who does not have any social media accounts and rarely speaks to the media.
Vin Diesel and Paloma Jiménez have three children together: Hania Riley (born in 2008), Vincent Sinclair (born in 2010), and Pauline (born in 2015). Pauline was named after Vin Diesel’s late friend and co-star Paul Walker, who died in a car accident in 20135. Hania Riley also goes by the name Similce and is already following in her father’s footsteps as an actor. She voices Sissy Benson in the Netflix animated series Fast & Furious: Spy Racers.
Vin Diesel also has a fraternal twin brother named Paul Vincent, who works as a film editor. He has never met his biological father and does not know his ethnicity. He was raised by his mother, Delora Sherleen Vincent, who is an astrologer, and his adoptive father, Irving H. Vincent, who is an African-American theater manager.

Vin Diesel’s Social Media Presence and Influence
Vin Diesel is very active on social media platforms, especially Facebook and Instagram. He has over 100 million followers on Facebook and over 70 million followers on Instagram. He uses these platforms to share updates about his personal and professional life, as well as to interact with his fans. He often posts videos of himself thanking his fans for their support and expressing his gratitude for his success.
Vin Diesel is also very influential on social media, as he has been ranked among the most popular celebrities online by various sources. For example, he was named the most influential star on Facebook by Entertainment Weekly in 2013. He was also ranked as the second most popular actor on social media by Forbes in 2017.
Vin Diesel’s social media presence reflects his personality and values. He is passionate about his work and loyal to his family and friends. He is also humble and generous, as he often supports various causes and charities. He has donated to organizations such as The Paul Walker Foundation, The One Race Global Film Foundation, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Disaster Emergency Committee.
Vin Diesel’s Movies and Roles
Vin Diesel has starred in over 40 movies since his debut in 1990. He has played a variety of roles in different genres, ranging from action to comedy to drama. Some of his most famous movies and roles are:
- Saving Private Ryan (1998): He played Private Adrian Caparzo, a soldier who was part of a squad sent to rescue a missing paratrooper during World War II. This was his first major role in a Hollywood film, directed by Steven Spielberg.
- Pitch Black (2000): He played Richard B. Riddick, a convict with enhanced vision who had to survive on a planet infested with alien creatures. This was his breakthrough role as an action hero, which he reprised in two sequels and a video game.
- The Fast and the Furious (2001): He played Dominic Toretto, a street racer and leader of a crew of car thieves. This was the first installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, which made him an international star and a producer. He has appeared in eight films and two spin-offs of the franchise so far.
- xXx (2002): He played Xander Cage, an extreme sports athlete who was recruited by the NSA to become a secret agent. This was another successful action film that spawned two sequels.
- The Pacifier (2005): He played Shane Wolfe, a Navy SEAL who had to protect a family of five children from enemies. This was his first attempt at a family comedy, which was well-received by audiences.
- Find Me Guilty (2006): He played Jackie DiNorscio, a mobster who defended himself in court against 20 charges of racketeering. This was his first collaboration with acclaimed director Sidney Lumet, who praised his performance as “extraordinary”.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): He voiced Groot, a sentient tree-like alien who was part of a team of misfit heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He only said three words in the film: “I am Groot”, but he delivered them in different languages and emotions. He also voiced Baby Groot in the sequel and the Avengers films.
- Furious 7 (2015): He played Dominic Toretto again, but this time he had to face a vengeful enemy played by Jason Statham. This was the last film to feature Paul Walker, who died before the film was completed. The film paid tribute to Walker and his character Brian O’Conner, and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
- The Last Witch Hunter (2015): He played Kaulder, an immortal witch hunter who had to stop a coven of witches from unleashing a plague on humanity. This was a passion project for Diesel, who is a fan of fantasy and role-playing games.
- Bloodshot (2020): He played Ray Garrison, a soldier who was resurrected by nanotechnology and given superpowers. This was his first film based on a comic book character outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- F9 (2021): He played Dominic Toretto once more, but this time he had to face his estranged brother played by John Cena. This was the ninth film of the Fast and Furious franchise, which introduced new characters and locations.
Vin Diesel’s Famous Roles and Characters
Vin Diesel is famous for playing various roles and characters in different genres of movies, from action to comedy to drama. He has shown his versatility and charisma as an actor, as well as his skills as a producer, writer, and director. Some of his famous roles and characters are:
- Dominic Toretto: He is the main protagonist of the Fast and Furious franchise, which is one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time. He plays a street racer and leader of a crew of car thieves who later become involved in various missions and heists around the world. He is known for his loyalty to his family and friends, his love for cars, and his catchphrase “I live my life a quarter mile at a time” .
- Groot: He is a sentient tree-like alien who is part of a team of misfit heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He only says three words in the movies: “I am Groot”, but he delivers them in different languages and emotions. He also voices Baby Groot, a smaller and cuter version of Groot, who is very popular among fans .
- Richard B. Riddick: He is an anti-hero and a convict with enhanced vision who has to survive on various planets infested with alien creatures. He is the main character of the Riddick franchise, which includes Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, and Riddick. He is also a character in two video games developed by Vin Diesel’s own company, Tigon Studios .
- Xander Cage: He is an extreme sports athlete who is recruited by the NSA to become a secret agent. He is the main character of the xXx franchise, which includes xXx, xXx: State of the Union, and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. He is known for his daredevil stunts, his tattoos, and his attitude .
- Shane Wolfe: He is a Navy SEAL who has to protect a family of five children from enemies. He is the main character of the family comedy The Pacifier, which was Vin Diesel’s first attempt at a different genre. He is known for his humorous interactions with the children, his skills as a babysitter, and his singing voice .
- Jackie DiNorscio: He is a mobster who defends himself in court against 20 charges of racketeering. He is the main character of the courtroom drama Find Me Guilty, which was directed by Sidney Lumet. He is known for his comedic performance, his transformation with hair and makeup, and his loyalty to his friends .
Vin Diesel’s Endorsements and Collaborations
Vin Diesel has endorsed and collaborated with various brands and companies throughout his career. Some of them are:
- Dodge: He has endorsed the automaker brand that is featured prominently in the Fast and Furious movies. He has appeared in several commercials for Dodge, promoting their cars and their slogan “Dominate The Streets” .
- Speedkore: He has collaborated with the custom car builder company that has created some of the cars used in the Fast and Furious movies. He has also commissioned them to build a custom car for himself, a mid-engine Dodge Charger powered by a Hellcat engine .
- Breitling: He has endorsed the luxury watch brand that he wears in some of his movies, such as Bloodshot and F9. He has appeared in several ads for Breitling, showcasing their watches and their motto “Instruments For Professionals” .
- Diesel: He has endorsed the clothing brand that shares his name. He has appeared in several campaigns for Diesel, modeling their jeans, jackets, and accessories .
- Sony: He has endorsed the electronics giant that has produced some of his movies, such as Bloodshot and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. He has also collaborated with them to create a limited edition PlayStation 4 console inspired by Bloodshot .
Vin Diesel’s Viral Stories and Moments
Vin Diesel has been involved in several viral stories and moments that have made him popular on social media platforms. Some of them are:
- Vin Diesel with hair: He went viral on Twitter when users discovered that he had hair in one of his movies, Find Me Guilty. Many people were shocked and amused to see him with a full head of hair, as he is usually bald in most of his movies .
- Vin Diesel dancing: He went viral on Facebook when he posted a video of himself dancing to Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” and Beyoncé’s “Drunk In Love”. The video was viewed over 90 million times and received over 1.5 million likes. Many people praised him for his moves and his fun personality .
- Vin Diesel singing: He went viral on YouTube when he posted a video of himself singing Rihanna’s “Stay” as a Valentine’s Day gift for his girlfriend. The video was viewed over 10 million times and received over 100,000 likes. Many people complimented him for his singing voice and his romantic gesture .
- Vin Diesel’s twin: He went viral on Instagram when he posted a photo of himself with his fraternal twin brother, Paul Vincent. Many people were surprised and curious to see his brother, who is also involved in the film industry as an editor .
- Vin Diesel’s first man: He went viral on Twitter when a movie theater posted a joke claiming that he was the first human being created by God, based on a 3D model made by Princeton scientists. Many people were confused and amused by the post, which was later revealed to be a prank .
Vin Diesel’s Scandals and Controversies
Vin Diesel has also faced some scandals and controversies throughout his career. Some of them are:
- Vin Diesel’s cheating scandal: He was accused of cheating on his girlfriend of seven years, Paloma Jiménez, who is also the mother of his three children. A source claimed that he met another woman at a party in NYC and hooked up with her. He denied the allegations and said that he was faithful to his partner .
- Vin Diesel’s feud with Dwayne Johnson: He had a feud with his co-star Dwayne Johnson, who joined the Fast and Furious franchise in Fast Five. The feud started when Johnson posted a cryptic message on Instagram, calling some of his male co-stars “candy asses”. It was later revealed that he was referring to Diesel, who allegedly had poor work ethic and ego issues on set. The feud continued for years, with both actors throwing shade at each other in interviews and social media posts. They eventually reconciled and praised each other for their work .
- Vin Diesel’s feud with Tyrese Gibson: He had a feud with his co-star Tyrese Gibson, who also joined the Fast and Furious franchise in Fast Five. The feud started when Gibson blamed Diesel for delaying the release of Fast & Furious 9, which affected his income and personal life. He also criticized Diesel for making a spin-off movie with Johnson, Hobbs & Shaw, which he saw as a betrayal to the franchise. He later apologized and said that he was going through a tough time .
- Vin Diesel’s feud with Steven Spielberg: He had a feud with the legendary director Steven Spielberg, who gave him his first big break in Saving Private Ryan. The feud started when Spielberg asked him to direct a movie based on the life of Hannibal Barca, a Carthaginian general who fought against Rome. Diesel agreed, but then delayed the project for years, focusing on other movies instead. Spielberg was frustrated and disappointed by Diesel’s lack of commitment and professionalism .
FAQ:
Q: What is Vin Diesel’s real name?
A: Vin Diesel’s real name is Mark Sinclair. He adopted the stage name Vin Diesel when he worked as a bouncer at a nightclub in New York City. He said that Vin is short for Vincent, which is his adoptive father’s name, and Diesel is a nickname given to him by his friends who said he was always full of energy .
Q: How old is Vin Diesel?
A: Vin Diesel is 56 years old as of 2023. He was born on July 18, 1967, in Alameda County, California, U.S. .
Q: What is Vin Diesel’s ethnicity?
A: Vin Diesel’s ethnicity is ambiguous, as he never met his biological father and does not know his ancestry. He was raised by his mother, Delora Sherleen Vincent, who is an astrologer with English, German, and Scottish roots, and his adoptive father, Irving H. Vincent, who is an African-American theater manager . He has said that he identifies as “a person of color” and that he is proud of his diverse heritage .
Q: Is Vin Diesel married?
A: No, Vin Diesel is not married, but he has been in a long-term relationship with Paloma Jiménez since 2007 . Jiménez is a Mexican model who has appeared on the covers of Maxim and Max magazines . She is also a very private person who does not have any social media accounts and rarely speaks to the media .
Q: How many children does Vin Diesel have?
A: Vin Diesel has three children with Paloma Jiménez: Hania Riley (born in 2008), Vincent Sinclair (born in 2010), and Pauline (born in 2015) . Pauline was named after Vin Diesel’s late friend and co-star Paul Walker, who died in a car accident in 2013 . Hania Riley also goes by the name Similce and is already following in her father’s footsteps as an actor. She voices Sissy Benson in the Netflix animated series Fast & Furious: Spy Racers .
Q: Does Vin Diesel have a twin brother?
A: Yes, Vin Diesel has a fraternal twin brother named Paul Vincent, who works as a film editor . He has posted a photo of himself with his brother on Instagram, where they look very different from each other .
Q: What are some of Vin Diesel’s most famous movies?
A: Vin Diesel has starred in over 40 movies since his debut in 1990. He has played a variety of roles in different genres, ranging from action to comedy to drama. Some of his most famous movies are:
- Saving Private Ryan (1998): He played Private Adrian Caparzo, a soldier who was part of a squad sent to rescue a missing paratrooper during World War II. This was his first major role in a Hollywood film, directed by Steven Spielberg .
- Pitch Black (2000): He played Richard B. Riddick, a convict with enhanced vision who had to survive on a planet infested with alien creatures. This was his breakthrough role as an action hero, which he reprised in two sequels and a video game .
- The Fast and the Furious (2001): He played Dominic Toretto, a street racer and leader of a crew of car thieves. This was the first installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, which made him an international star and a producer. He has appeared in eight films and two spin-offs of the franchise so far .
- xXx (2002): He played Xander Cage, an extreme sports athlete who was recruited by the NSA to become a secret agent. This was another successful action film that spawned two sequels .
- The Pacifier (2005): He played Shane Wolfe, a Navy SEAL who had to protect a family of five children from enemies. This was his first attempt at a family comedy, which was well-received by audiences .
- Find Me Guilty (2006): He played Jackie DiNorscio, a mobster who defended himself in court against 20 charges of racketeering. This was his first collaboration with acclaimed director Sidney Lumet, who praised his performance as “extraordinary” .
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): He voiced Groot, a sentient tree-like alien who was part of a team of misfit heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He only said three words in the film: “I am Groot”, but he delivered them in different languages and emotions. He also voiced Baby Groot in the sequel and the Avengers films .
- Furious 7 (2015): He played Dominic Toretto again, but this time he had to face a vengeful enemy played by Jason Statham. This was the last film to feature Paul Walker, who died before the film was completed. The film paid tribute to Walker and his character Brian O’Conner, and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time .
- The Last Witch Hunter (2015): He played Kaulder, an immortal witch hunter who had to stop a coven of witches from unleashing a plague on humanity. This was a passion project for Diesel, who is a fan of fantasy and role-playing games .
- Bloodshot (2020): He played Ray Garrison, a soldier who was resurrected by nanotechnology and given superpowers. This was his first film based on a comic book character outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
- F9 (2021): He played Dominic Toretto once more, but this time he had to face his estranged brother played by John Cena. This was the ninth film of the Fast and Furious franchise, which introduced new characters and locations .
Q: How much is Vin Diesel worth?
A: Vin Diesel’s net worth is estimated to be $225 million as of 2020 . He has earned most of his wealth from his acting and producing career, especially from the Fast and Furious franchise, which has grossed over $5 billion globally . He also has other sources of income, such as endorsements, video games, and real estate .
Q: What are some of Vin Diesel’s hobbies and interests?
A: Vin Diesel has many hobbies and interests that reflect his personality and passions. Some of them are:
- Dungeons & Dragons: He is an avid fan of the fantasy role-playing game, which he has been playing since he was a teenager. He has a tattoo of his character’s name, Melkor, on his stomach. He has also incorporated elements of the game into some of his movies, such as The Chronicles of Riddick and The Last Witch Hunter .
- Video Games: He is a gamer who enjoys playing various video games, especially action and racing ones. He has also founded his own video game developer, Tigon Studios, which has created games based on his movies, such as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and Wheelman .
- Music: He is a music lover who likes to listen to different genres of music, such as rock, hip hop, reggae, and Latin. He has also shown his musical talent by singing in some of his movies, such as The Pacifier and Find Me Guilty. He has also posted videos of himself singing on social media platforms, such as Rihanna’s “Stay” and Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” .
- Cars: He is a car enthusiast who loves to drive and collect cars. He owns several cars, such as a Dodge Charger, a Chevrolet Corvette, a Ford Mustang, and a Toyota Supra. He also drives some of the cars that are featured in the Fast and Furious movies .
Q: What are some of Vin Diesel’s philanthropic activities?
A: Vin Diesel is a philanthropist who supports various causes and charities that are close to his heart. Some of them are:
- The Paul Walker Foundation: He is a supporter of the foundation that was established by Paul Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker, in honor of her father. The foundation aims to protect the oceans and wildlife, as well as to provide scholarships for students who want to pursue marine science .
- The One Race Global Film Foundation: He is a founder of the foundation that aims to empower aspiring filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The foundation provides mentorship, education, and resources for young filmmakers who want to pursue their dreams .
- The Make-A-Wish Foundation: He is a supporter of the foundation that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. He has granted several wishes to children who wanted to meet him or see his movies .
- The Disaster Emergency Committee: He is a supporter of the committee that coordinates responses to major disasters overseas. He has donated to the committee’s appeals for various crises, such as the Nepal earthquake in 2015 and the Yemen crisis in 2017 .
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