Vin Diesel thinks social media has helped to change the public's perception of him.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel

The 49-year-old movie star believes that websites such as Twitter and Facebook have allowed fans to get to know him better and to understand that he's a more rounded person than his typical on-screen persona might suggest.

He explained: "Social media has allowed me to post a video of me singing to the mother of my children on Valentine's Day. How would you ever be able to see that before social media?

"Social media has documented some of the most challenging moments of life - when I lost my brother Pablo ['Fast and Furious' co-star Paul Walker, who died in a crash in 2013]. There's wisdom that comes from an honest page."

Facebook has also helped Vin to develop an unlikely friendship with Mark Zuckerberg, the chairman, chief executive officer, and co-founder of the social networking website.

Of his friendship with the billionaire, Vin told the New York Times newspaper: "I love him. He's such a great guy and he's a fan of my work.

"He probably encouraged me more than anyone else to return to Xander Cage. We were hanging out up at Facebook about two years ago, and I was excited about 'Fast 7.' He said, 'You know what movie I'd most like to see is the return of Xander Cage.'"

In fact, Mark can even quote specific lines from films in which Vin has starred.

The Hollywood actor shared: "It's at a point where if Mark and I are together and if I quote a line from a character I played and I do it slightly wrong, he'll correct me. It's embarrassing."