The star of "The Fast and the Furious" movie franchise and another person died in Southern California after the Porsche they were in crashed, his rep confirmed to the Daily News. Walker was attending a charity event in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Los Angeles. "All of us at Universal are heartbroken," Universal Pictures said in a statement.
"It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organisation Reach Out Worldwide," the statement on the actor's Facebook page said.
"He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We... are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news.''
Universal Pictures also issued a statement, saying studio staff were "heartbroken" by Walker's death.
"Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast & Furious films, and to countless fans.
"We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."
Walker was best known for his role as undercover agent Brian O'Connor in the Fast & Furious movies.
He was one of the leading protagonists along with Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez.