Vin Diesel, born Mark Sinclair on July 18, 1967, is an American actor and film producer renowned for his iconic roles in action-packed franchises such as Fast & Furious, xXx, and The Chronicles of Riddick. His journey from a struggling actor to one of the world's highest-grossing actors is a testament to his perseverance and versatility.
Birth
July 18, 1967
Vin Diesel was born as Mark Sinclair in Alameda County, California, to a mother and an African American stepfather, Irving Vincent, a theatre manager who provided him with early stage roles.
Early Career
1990
Diesel began his acting career but faced difficulty achieving recognition. He had an uncredited role in Awakenings, marking his first step into the film industry.
Breakthrough with Multi-Facial
1995
Diesel wrote, directed, and starred in the short film Multi-Facial, a semiautobiographical piece about a biracial actor struggling to get roles. This film caught the attention of Steven Spielberg.
Debut Feature Strays
1997
Diesel wrote, directed, and starred in his debut feature film Strays, which was accepted into the Sundance Film Festival but did not sell as well as hoped.
Saving Private Ryan
1998
Steven Spielberg cast Diesel in Saving Private Ryan, a critical and commercial success that marked a significant turning point in his career.
The Iron Giant
1999
Diesel voiced the titular character in The Iron Giant, showcasing his versatility in voice acting.
Pitch Black
2000
Diesel secured his first lead role as Richard B. Riddick in the sci-fi film Pitch Black, earning him a legion of devoted fans.
The Fast and the Furious
2001
Diesel starred as Dominic Toretto in The Fast and the Furious, establishing him in his most famous role and launching a successful franchise.
xXx
2002
Diesel played extreme athlete turned secret agent Xander Cage in xXx, further solidifying his action hero status.
Guardians of the Galaxy
2014
Diesel voiced Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy, marking his entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and expanding his voice acting portfolio.
Bloodshot
2020
Diesel starred in the sci-fi feature Bloodshot, showcasing his continued versatility in action films.
Current Status
2025
Vin Diesel remains one of the world's highest-grossing actors, with a career spanning over three decades and numerous iconic roles in film and television.
