Vin Diesel, born Mark Sinclair on July 18, 1967, is an American actor, producer, and director. His career took off after he wrote, directed, and starred in the autobiographical short film *Multi-Facial* (1995), which caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who then cast him in a supporting role in the film *Saving Private Ryan* (1998). International fame came with his portrayal of Dominic Toretto in the globally successful *Fast & Furious* franchise, for which he also became one of the main producers. Other career-defining roles include Richard B. Riddick in the science fiction saga that began with *Pitch Black* (2000), secret agent Xander Cage in the *xXx* series, and the voice of the character Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His accolades include several People's Choice Awards for his popularity with audiences and, in 2013, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to his impact on the film industry.