Vin Diesel was another celebrity that had a problem that we assisted with back in the days when Vin was remodeling his home off Benedict Canyon. Vin’s estate was actually one of my favorites as it was nicely secluded up off the canyon floor, nice and private. Obviously, very nice but not garish in the way it was built and nicely furnished considering there was a great deal of construction going on. I can recall the day he showed up to his house as he was not staying there for obvious reasons. The day that Vin showed up he was driving a black Cadillac Escalade EXT, it had big chrome wheels on it and Vin was driving it. He looked very similar as to what we enjoy on the big screen. However, he seemed a bit shorter than the intimidating character that we all love in his action movies….. again, it was cool for me to be this close to him, and again just another assignment.
My contact was without question one of my favorite people in the world, Valentino or if he liked you, “ Val”, one of the toughest meanest people I have ever met. At the same time, a real sweet heart unless he was trying to throw you out a window or down the stairs. Val, was Vin Diesel’s best friend and bodyguard, (and often had parts in the movies, nothing major, but I am sure he still gets residuals to this day, just as I do) they had been together since they were kids, life long friends. Val was originally from the Dominican Republic and I cannot emphasize that trying to hurt Val in a fight was considered a challenge and I cannot recall him ever losing! I emphasize without question one of the best friends you can have if you are allowed to call him a friend. I am not sure what would stop this guy, other than a bullet and then unless placed appropriately that too, would be questionable as to stopping him, nothing but love for him!
During the construction there was a great deal of personal property stolen that belonged to Vin Diesel. It had been taken from a private area of the house and it was our belief one of the laborers had taken the property. All I am going to say is this, getting a phone call and hearing young men crying and begging for help is memorable. On the other hand having Val tell me that he thinks he knows what happened, almost simultaneously was memorable. It was my understanding that “someone” had confessed….. NOTE: Vin Diesel knew nothing of what was being done on his behalf or having any involvement at all.
Long story short, every time I drive by the house that I believe that Vin Diesel still lives in I think of that day, the phone call and watching young workers running down Benedict Canyon trying to get away from Val. As I recall a few were missing their shoes and one, his pants. Well, I am guessing if there will ever be any thefts from future construction clients someone will do the research to be assured who owns the property and who will they have to speak to in the event of a negative event.
There is so much more to this story and my good friend Harland Braun the famous defense lawyer from Century City I am sure has some recollections! Harland was the defense attorney for Robert Blake. Harland, one of the best criminal lawyers in America. Several years later I would have Adam Braun, Esq. brought on to assist me with the Anna Nicole case in the defense of one of the defendants, Dr. Erosovich.