“2 Fast 2 Furious” is a classic of world cinema. It’s a film that is popular worldwide, watched by over a hundred million people. The movie introduced us to numerous young artists whose lives and careers I will delve into in this article.
Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson)
Today, Tyrese Gibson is one of the most popular African-American actors often seen in leading roles. Few know that Gibson’s creative journey began shortly before the release of “2 Fast 2 Furious,” where he landed the role of Roman Pearce.
At the time, the actor was only 25 years old, and by the end of this year, he’ll celebrate his 45th birthday. Tyrese started acting in movies in the late ’90s, but “2 Fast 2 Furious” marked his breakthrough as the lead actor, earning him global fame. He went on to appear in six more installments of the franchise, and his professional portfolio boasts over 50 other film roles.
Gibson played key characters in films like “Four Brothers,” “Flight,” and “Transformers,” and recently, in addition to the tenth installment of “Fast and Furious,” he starred in projects such as “The Collective” and “Whizgun,” portraying Hugo and Paul, respectively.
Interestingly, before entering the film industry, Gibson was a talented musician with record label contracts. However, due to his acting commitments, he now rarely engages in music, as his time is occupied by his family, including his wife and two children.
Tej Parker (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges)
In Chris Bridges’ acting career, better known by his stage name Ludacris, “2 Fast 2 Furious” marked his first full-length film.
In 2003, the year of the movie’s release, Ludacris was 26 years old. By this age, he had already made a name for himself in the music industry, primarily appearing in his own music videos. His acting career gained momentum after “2 Fast 2 Furious.”
Ludacris was absent from the “Fast and Furious” series for almost eight years, returning in the fifth installment and becoming an integral part of the franchise since then. Apart from his contributions to “Fast and Furious,” Ludacris has roles in major projects like “RocknRolla,” “Crash,” and “Hustle,” though mostly in supporting roles.
Ludacris’ fan base has grown to nearly 20 million people, eagerly anticipating not only his new songs but also his new film roles. In 2022, he had a cameo role in “End of the Road,” and in May 2023, he appeared in the tenth installment of “Fast and Furious.”
Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes)
Eva Mendes played one of the key female roles in the film, Monica Fuentes, and she turned 49 this year.
Mendes began her career on the fashion runway, showcasing various outfits, and transitioned to acting in the late ’90s after appearing in several commercials. Besides the second installment of “Fast and Furious,” she also appeared in the fifth.
In addition to the “Fast and Furious” series, Mendes has roles in projects such as “Training Day,” where she played Sara Miles, “Stuck on You,” and “Out of Time,” portraying April and Alex, respectively.
In recent years, Mendes has taken a step back from acting, focusing on her personal life. She has two children, and her partner of over 10 years actively supports her in raising them.
Carter Verone (Cole Hauser)
I’d also like to talk about the actor who played Carter Verone—Cole Hauser, who, in my opinion, has changed the most over these 20 years.
Cole Hauser turned 48 this year, and he started acting exactly 31 years ago. Initially, he wasn’t offered significant roles, but in 1994, Hauser got his first leading role in the film “Return of the Outlaws,” which gained popularity even in CIS countries.
Hauser predominantly appears in detective projects and dramas. He has roles in films and series like “Good Will Hunting,” “Tigerland,” “Yellowstone,” and “Hunters.” Hauser remains a highly sought-after actor, with recent lead roles in the 2022 film “Undercover Guys” and roles in “The Hand of the Dead” and “The Professor and the Phantom Killer.”
Suki (Devon Aoki)
Devon Aoki, who turned 41 this year, had a notable albeit not leading role—playing the character Suki, a memorable presence in “2 Fast 2 Furious.”
Unfortunately, there’s not much to tell about Aoki’s life and career because her filmography is limited, with most projects not gaining recognition in CIS countries. “Fast and Furious” marked her debut in the film industry.
Despite a promising start, Aoki’s on-screen appearances dwindled over the years, and she officially concluded her acting career in 2009. Currently, she devotes all her time and attention to raising her four children, occasionally participating in advertising and music video shoots.
