Vin Diesel pays heartfelt tribute to Paul Walker at the MTV Movie and TV Awards: “We Hope You’re Proud”

The 2017 MTV Movie and TV awards has given us more memorable speeches than we could have asked for. From Taraji P. Henson’s message on girl-power and love without discrimination to Emma Watson’s golden words about looking beyond conservative gender norms and Millie Bobby Brown tearful acceptance as she was handed the trophy for ‘Best Actor in a Show.’

Another highlight from the show was when the Fast & Furious series was honored with the MTV Generation award, a recognition which has previously only been given to individuals but never to a film-series.

The award was presented to the Fast and Furious team by former fellow cast-member Gal Gadot, who most recently also played the role of Wonder Woman. Introducing the team to present them with the honor, Gadot said:

“Before I was Wonder Woman, I got a call that would change my life. I was asked to be a part of the Fast & Furious franchise. The stunts may get bigger and crazier, but the heartbeat of the franchise, the reason people keep packing theaters over and over again is family. A diverse group of people who stick together, no matter what, through onscreen adventure and real-life tragedy.”

She continued, “The Fast & Furious is more than a series of movies. It’s become an undeniable part of our culture. That’s why MTV is giving this badass franchise its highest honor.”

As Vin Diesel appeared on stage to accept the golden popcorn trophy, he urged the rest of the cast members to join him on stage to accept it with him, “I’m gonna need my family for this one”

He then continued his speech talking about the multi-cultural background of the cast of the film, “You know in 2002, I was standing on this stage, and MTV had given Paul Walker and I an award for best duo, and now, 15 years later, I’m with my whole family, and you’re giving us the Generation Award. I have to thank Universal, I have to thank all the directors, Chris Morgan, Neal Moritz. But most importantly, I gotta thank our generation. I gotta thank a generation that was willing to accept this multicultural franchise where it didn’t matter what color your skin was or what country you’re from — when you’re family, you’re family.”

As he continued, he talked about his late co-star, Paul Walker, who died in an accident in 2013. “I can never stand on this stage and talk about Fast & Furious without giving love to our brother Pablo,” he said, raising the golden popcorn trophy to the sky. “We hope you’re proud,” said an emotional Diesel.

Watch as the cast of the Billion dollar film-series accepts the ‘Generation Award’: