It’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez first roared onto the screen together, redefining what action, loyalty, and family look like in The Fast and the Furious (2001). From that very first race through the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles, their chemistry was undeniable—two tough, fearless souls whose bond became the beating heart of a franchise that would grow into a global phenomenon.

As Dominic Toretto and Letty Ortiz, Vin and Michelle created one of the most iconic on-screen partnerships in modern action cinema. Dom, the stoic, muscle-bound street racer with a strict code of loyalty and family, found his perfect match in Letty—fierce, fearless, and fiercely independent. They weren’t just a couple thrown together for romance; they were equals on and off the road, partners who would fight side by side, whether it was against rival crews or international threats.

Off screen, Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez have championed the same spirit of loyalty that defines their characters. Over more than two decades and multiple sequels, they’ve weathered cast changes, shocking story twists, and unimaginable stunts—always circling back to the same core idea: family isn’t just who you’re born with, it’s who you ride or die with.

From racing quarter-miles in the streets of L.A. to taking on impossible heists in Rio and even defying gravity in space, Dom and Letty’s love story has grown alongside the franchise’s wildest set pieces. Yet it’s those quiet moments—shared looks, tough conversations, a ride down memory lane—that remind fans why these two characters endure while engines and villains come and go.

As we look back 23 years later, Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez remain the soul of Fast & Furious—proof that the greatest stunts and flashiest cars mean nothing without a family to fight for. Here’s to the unstoppable duo who made “ride or die” mean so much more than just an action catchphrase.