Paul ‘Bear’ Vasquez, the man behind the viral ‘Double Rainbow’ video, passed away in 2020. However, he ensured that his YouTube presence would continue into the future, with enough content to keep his channel active until 2035.
If you’re unfamiliar with him, you might not have been spending as much time online during the pandemic.
On January 8, 2010, Paul Vasquez posted a video on YouTube capturing his excitement at witnessing a double rainbow. The video, which runs for over three minutes, features Bear exclaiming, “Oh my God, it’s a double rainbow,” and expressing his amazement with increasing enthusiasm as he sees it more clearly.
The video has garnered over 51 million views, contributing to the growth of a dedicated fanbase for Vasquez.
The iconic clip was shot in his yard near Yosemite National Park in California, where Vasquez lived and managed a farm with the help of volunteers.
Originally hailing from East Los Angeles, Vasquez worked with the California Conservation Corps and later as a Los Angeles County firefighter before relocating to Yosemite in 1985. He acquired an eight-acre property following his divorce, and together with his wife, he had two children.
Vasquez was a prolific content creator, regularly uploading videos about his life. Fans have recently discovered that he scheduled numerous videos to be posted long after his death in 2020.
On Reddit, a user noted that Bear was an active uploader who had arranged for 15 years’ worth of video content to be released posthumously, keeping his channel alive four years after his passing.
This revelation amazed many commenters.
One person speculated that Vasquez’s intention was “to keep income flowing to the family for long after he’s gone.”
Another remarked: “The other way to look at it is, way to make the most of the time he had.”
Yet another commenter mused: “Man if he’s right about reincarnation he could literally grow up and watch his own videos from a past life as they come out.”
Someone shared an encounter with his daughter, saying: “I met his daughter one time at a party in Tahoe. She was cool, slightly embarrassed by but also proud of her dad’s legend status.”
In 2019, Bear revealed plans to upload content for the next fifteen years, which has proven true, as new videos continue to appear on his channel.
As he gained fame from the Double Rainbow video, many wanted to understand his experience of that moment.
In a 2014 interview, Vasquez described himself as very spiritual, saying, “the video is me understanding that I’m in the presence of God.” While not religious, the video’s success allowed him to live comfortably, a change from his previous lifestyle.
Tragically, on May 3, 2020, Vasquez posted on Facebook about feeling feverish and having breathing difficulties. Rather than seeking medical help, he anticipated reincarnation and wished to “enjoy the ride.”
He passed away on May 9, 2020, at John C. Fremont Hospital in Mariposa, California, at the age of 57.