Vin Diesel and Paul Walker were practically tied to the hip when the latter was alive; now the "Riddick" star decides to be more careful in the wake of his friend's death.

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker co-starred in most of the "Fast and Furious" movies, and it's evident the cast have become family after "Fast and Furious 6" wrapped up. Diesel has confirmed Paul's death puts things in new perspective.

In an interview with the German newspaper Bild, Diesel recalls the loss and its effect on everyone involved, especially Paul Walker's fans: "Paul's death ripped out a piece of my heart. A part of me went with him, You realise you only have a limited amount of time here on earth. I now live more consciously and more carefully and use every day to hold my nearest and dearest close and tell them I love them."

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker's friendship also taught the "Guardians of the Galaxy" star to play it safer when it comes to stunts. "I'm also more likely to ask for a stuntman. Before, I wouldn't have given it a second thought."

His new take on life is understandable, being a family man. Diesel and his girlfriend Paloma Jimenez have Hania and Vincent between them. "I certainly am scared of death, but not for selfish reasons. It's more that I think my family still need me."

Diesel says he's now more careful on the set and in real life. "I drive a lot more carefully. I'm no longer the first one over that crossing. It's little things like that which let me know what a fragile flower life is."

The "Fast and Furious" cast was filming part 7 when news of Paul's accident broke, and the latter's brothers Caleb and Cody stepped in as body doubles for the unfinished scenes. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker will still co-star in "Fast and Furious 7" in a sense, to be released in 2015 (yahoo.com).