The Original 'Fast and the Furious' Cast 25 Years Later: Where Are They Now in 2026?

To say that The Fast and the Furious transformed the careers of its core cast would be an understatement. For perspective, Vin Dieselwas 33 years old when the movie came out on June 22, 2001—25 years ago today—and he’ll be 60 by the time the blockbuster action franchise ends with Fast Forever in March 2028. That’s quite a run for a street racing movie with a modest budget that exploded into a global phenomenon.

Reflecting on the movie’s impact, Diesel recently wrote in Variety, “What that first Fast film did, 25 years ago, was remind Hollywood of something it had quietly forgotten. Popular cinema, made with conviction and love, is not a lesser form of the art.” And it’s certainly not an unprofitable one: So far, the franchise has grossed more than $7.3 billion globally across its 10 finished films.

What started as a grounded story about undercover LAPD officer Brian O’Conner infiltrating Dominic Toretto’s tight-knit crew of street racers has evolved into a high-octane saga of international espionage and gravity-defying stunts. Along the way, the series forever shaped the careers of Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, and the late Paul Walker.

Keep reading to find out where the stars of the original movie are now—including who’s reprised their roles over the years and who will be back for Fast Forever.

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The Original ‘Fast and the Furious’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto)

In the years before Diesel signed on to play Dominic Toretto, he was a rising indie darling who wrote, directed and starred in the short film Multi-Facial and the feature Strays. By the late ‘90s, his work caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who cast him in Saving Private Ryan (1998). He followed that with voice work as the title character in The Iron Giant (1999) and a breakout role in Pitch Black (2000). But it was his turn in The Fast and the Furious that fast-tracked him to fame.

Despite the movie’s success, Diesel skipped 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and returned for only a cameo in the third installment, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). He then returned for part four, Fast & Furious(2009), and has since appeared in the rest of the sequels: Fast Five (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Furious 7 (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017), F9 (2021) and Fast X (2023). He’ll of course star in the grand finale, Fast Forever.

Outside the franchise, Diesel built another blockbuster series with the Riddick films, starred in xXx (2002) and its sequel, and became a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the voice of Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and Avengers films. One might say the man is doing okay. 

Related: From a Slow Build to ‘Fast & Furious’ Blockbusters, Vin Diesel’s Net Worth in 2026 Is Massive

Paul Walker (Brian O’Conner)

After starting out as a child actor, Walker broke through with roles in Pleasantville (1998), Varsity Blues (1999), She’s All That (1999) and The Skulls (2000). But it was his portrayal of undercover LAPD officer Brian O’Conner that made him an international superstar.

He reprised the role in 2 Fast 2 Furious, sat out Tokyo Drift and returned for Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7. Production on Furious 7 was underway when Walker died in a fiery car crash in November 2013 at age 40, leaving behind a daughter, Meadow, who is now 27. Meadow remains a beloved member of the Fast fam.

Furious 7 was completed using visual effects and stand-ins, including Walker’s brothers Caleb and Cody. His farewell scene remains one of the franchise’s most emotional moments.

Related: Paul Walker’s Stunning Daughter, 27, Appears With ‘Fast and the Furious’ Cast for Film’s 25th Anniversary

Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Ortiz)

Rodriguez was a relative unknown when she landed the role of Letty Ortiz, save for a standout performance as boxer Diana Guzman in Girlfight (2000), which won her several awards.

After appearing in the original Fast and the Furious, she returned for a cameo in Fast & Furious, then reprised Letty in Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious, F9 and Fast X. She’s set to return for Fast Forever.

The actress’s post-Fast career also includes roles in Resident Evil (2002), S.W.A.T. (2003), Avatar (2009), Battle: Los Angeles (2011), Machete (2010), Widows (2018) and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto)

When she starred in Fast at 21 years old, Brewster had already appeared on soap operas—including All My Children and As the World Turns—and had supporting roles in The Faculty (1998) and The Invisible Circus (2001). However, playing Mia Toretto marked her breakout role.

Brewster returned for Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, F9 and Fast X, and she’ll appear in the final film of the franchise. She did not appear in 2 Fast 2 Furious, Tokyo Drift or The Fate of the Furious.

Outside the franchise, Brewster had TV roles on Dallas (2012–2014), Secrets and Lies (2015), Lethal Weapon (2016–2018) and The Rookie: Feds (2022–2023). She also starred in films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006).

Rick Yune (Johnny Tran)

Before playing Dominic Toretto’s rival Johnny Tran, Yune was a Wall Street trader and model who broke into acting with a role in Snow Falling on Cedars (1999).

His character was killed in the original movie, but Yune’s action career lived on: He played villain Zao in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002) and appeared in Olympus Has Fallen (2013), Alita: Battle Angel (2019) and a handful of TV shows—including Marco Polo and Prison Break.

Chad Lindberg (Jesse)

Lindberg’s portrayal of tech-savvy racer Jesse made him a fan favorite despite his character’s tragic ending.

Since leaving the franchise, Lindberg has appeared in projects including The Last Samurai (2003), Supernatural and The ‘Burbs. He’s also a regular on the convention circuit, much to the delight of the Fast fandom.

Matt Schulze (Vince)

After playing Dom’s hotheaded friend Vince in the original movie, Schulze appeared in The Transporter (2002), Blade II (2002) and a 2005 episode of CSI: Miami, among other projects. He reprised Vince in Fast Five, marking his only sequel appearance before the character’s death.

Schulze appears to have largely stepped away from acting in recent years.

Johnny Strong (Leon)

Following Strong’s turn as Leon, Dom’s quiet and mysterious crew member, he appeared in films including Black Hawk Down (2001) and Sinners and Saints (2010). He later shifted his focus to music as the frontman of the band Operator while continuing to act intermittently. 

Most recently, Strong starred in 2023’s Warhorse One, which he also co-wrote and co-directed with William Kaufman. It’s currently available to stream (with commercials) on YouTube.

Ted Levine (Sgt. Tanner)

Already a respected character actor by 2001, Ted Levine was best known for his chilling performance as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Following The Fast and the Furious, Levine continued to work steadily, with roles in Monk, Shutter Island (2010), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Big Sky (2020–2023). He did not reprise Sgt. Tanner in any sequels.

Thom Barry (Agent Bilkins)

Barry had built a steady résumé through the 1990s with appearances in films like Independence Day (1996) and Space Jam (1996), and he continued to rack up credits after playing a supporting part in The Fast and the Furious. He returned as Agent Bilkins in 2 Fast 2 Furious, starred in 156 episodes of Cold Case and also popped in for episodes of shows like House, Grey’s Anatomy and Blue Bloods.

Noel Gugliemi (Hector)

Gugliemi was an emerging character actor when he played racer Hector, a role he would revisit in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Furious 7. He has since scored some 200 screen credits, working in films and series including Training Day (2001), Bruce Almighty (2003), Fresh Off the Boat and The Walking Dead.

Ja Rule (Edwin)

Rapper Ja Rule was at the height of his music career when he made his acting debut as racer Edwin, and even turned down a leading role in 2 Fast 2 Furious. “I just felt it wasn’t the best move for me as far as what I want to do in Hollywood right now,” he told MTV at the time, in September 2002. “I’m really trying to do this acting thing very seriously. And, you know, sometimes every move is not the right move.” (His decision paved the way for Ludacris to join the franchise instead.) 

Ja went on to appear in films including Half Past Dead (2002) and Scary Movie 3 (2003), while continuing to release music and tour. But he made his buzziest headlines for his involvement in the comically disastrous Fyre Festival. 

Next: How to Watch the ‘Fast & Furious’ Movies in Order