In 2001’s “The Fast and The Furious” young Latino actor Noel Gugliemi appeared as Hector. He was the organizer of the street race which introduces Dom and Brian. Hector holds the prize money, and starts the race, but no longer street-races and hopes to go legit on the NIRA (National Import Racing Association) circuit.
In an interview posted on IG, Noel explains that he ended up in jail for street racing after the F&F movie came out. Gearheads would pull up to him at stoplights and challenge him. Noel never backed down, and ended up charged with reckless driving.
The character of Hector was a pretty big part of that first F&F movie, but he didn’t return in a sequel for 14 years. In “Furious 7” Dom and Letty return to Race Wars and Hector is there as a legit organizer. Letty wins a race, ounches Hector in the mouth, and drives away (she’s got amnesia, remember?)
Dom and Hector shared a few words, and Hector says happy he is to have the couple back.