‘Fast and the Furious’ Star Paul Walker Once Dated the Boss’s Daughter on a Hit Daytime Soap
Long before Paul Walker famously played the role of Brian O’Conner in the Fast and the Furious franchise films, he appeared on the popular daytime soap. Walker’s screen time lasted over 22 episodes in one year. Here’s everything we know about the role, and what one of the soap’s leading actors remembers about Walker.
Some of Paul Walker’s work released posthumously
Paul Walker may have been named one of People’s 2001 “Most Beautiful Persons in the World,” but the actor’s list of credits includes varying shades of genres. From action to drama, Walker did it all.
In fact, Screen Rant previously reported that the Fast and the Furious star met with a Star Wars casting director for the part of Anakin Skywalker. George Lucas passed, saying Walker was “too old for the role.” He was disappointed and had even planned to name a child after Luke.
Still, Walker found fame shortly after in the Fast and the Furious films and was beloved by many. The actor died in a November 2013 fatal crash following a charity event for “Reach Out Worldwide.”
Some of his work released after his death, including Hours, Brick Mansions, and Furious 7, which paid homage to the star by giving him a “happy” ending.
However, 20 years before his death, Walker had a recurring role on daytime’s No. 1 drama.
Walker starred as Brandon Collins on ‘The Young and the Restless’
Walker’s introduction to the daytime drama scene came by way of The Young and the Restless. From 1992-1993 — 22 episodes — Walker played Brandon Collins who dated the boss’s daughter, Victoria, played by Heather Tom.
The boss of Newman Enterprises is none other than Victor Newman, played by the legendary Eric Braeden for 40 years. He’s even the one who set the two up.
Victoria dated Brandon while secretly seeing another employee, Ryan McNeil. Eventually, Brandon left town and Victoria moved on. Walker was 19 years old when he starred on Y&R. Eight years and a few projects later (Pleasantville, Varsity Blues, She’s All That), Walker scored the role of Brian O’Conner in The Fast and the Furious.
‘The Young and the Restless’ star Eric Braeden reacts to Walker’s death
Once Braeden heard the news of Walker’s passing, he spoke with KCAL9 studios about the late actor and what he remembers most about their time together.
“[My publicist] knew we worked together,” Braeden said. “He knew I worked with Paul. One of the most decent men I’ve ever worked with. He was easy-going, a nice man. Just the nicest man. A kind man.”
Braden elaborated on the kind of person Walker was, calling him “unpretentious” and an “easy-going Southern California guy.”
“I’ve worked with quite a few young people over the years. But I had a feeling, that he would make it on the big screen,” he said. “You find very few actors with his basic honesty or sincerity,” he added.
Braeden noted the two didn’t stay in touch but Walker’s presence clearly left a lasting impression — for the better.
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS.
