Few internet videos have captured pure emotion as perfectly as the Double Rainbow video. In January 2010, a bearded man named Paul Vasquez pointed his camera toward the sky near Yosemite National Park and recorded something that would eventually become one of the most recognizable viral videos of the early YouTube era
Vasquez was not trying to become famous. He was simply filming a double rainbow that appeared over the mountains near his home.
His reaction was completely spontaneous. He laughed. He cried. He shouted in amazement. He repeatedly asked what the rainbow meant.
Paul Vasquez died in May 2020 at the age of 57. His death came a decade after the video that made him famous.
The exact cause of his death was not publicly disclosed.
Even years after his death, the original Double Rainbow video remains popular. His emotional reaction has become part of internet history.
More importantly, it left behind a message that was much deeper than the memes and jokes that followed.
Here is the story of Paul Vasquez, the man behind one of YouTube’s most unforgettable moments.
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Table of Contents
Who Was Paul Vasquez?
Paul L. Vasquez was better known online as Bear, Hungrybear9562, or the Double Rainbow Guy. He was born in East Los Angeles and eventually built a very different life for himself in the Yosemite area of California.1
According to profiles published during and after his rise to fame, Vasquez had a varied working life that included jobs as a firefighter, security officer, EMT and truck driver. He also had a brief career as a cage fighter.
Vasquez eventually settled on a piece of land near Yosemite National Park. His home was not a glamorous celebrity property. It was a rural place where he could spend time outdoors and work on his farm.
He grew fruit and kept animals. He enjoyed the landscape around him. He filmed wildlife and natural events. He also uploaded videos about his daily life.
That lifestyle is important to understanding the Double Rainbow video.
Vasquez was already fascinated by nature before millions of people knew his name. The rainbow was not simply a random subject that he happened to film for a viral video. It fit naturally into the kind of life he had built for himself.
The New Yorker later described him as someone who appreciated nature and the simple things around him. Friends also remembered him as an unusually positive and joyful person.
What Was the Double Rainbow Video?
The original video was titled “Yosemitebear Mountain Double Rainbow 1-8-10.”
Vasquez uploaded it to YouTube on January 8, 2010. The footage shows a dramatic double rainbow stretching across the sky near his home in the Yosemite area.
At first the video seems ordinary. Vasquez calmly describes what he is seeing. Then his emotions take over.
He becomes increasingly excited as he looks at the rainbow. His voice rises. He laughs. He begins crying. He repeatedly expresses disbelief at what he is seeing.
One of the lines that became famous was his question: “What does this mean?” That question became part of the identity of the meme.
The video was around three and a half minutes long. It was not edited like a traditional comedy sketch. There was no scripted punchline. There was no celebrity involved.
The humor came from the fact that Vasquez’s reaction was so intense and genuine. The original YouTube upload remains online. It has accumulated tens of millions of views over the years.
Absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of Yosemite Bear, aka Paul Vasquez. He was the spiritual hero behind the Double Rainbow video. He gave joy & wonder to so many. And he was right: We’ll never look at a rainbow again and not think about him. That’s just the way it is. pic.twitter.com/9OuSng2ZP7
— The Gregory Brothers (@gregorybrothers) May 11, 2020
Stats Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Paul L. Vasquez |
| Known as | Paul “Bear” Vasquez |
| Internet nickname | Double Rainbow Guy |
| YouTube names | Hungrybear9562 / Yosemitebear62 |
| Birthplace | East Los Angeles, California |
| Famous video | “Yosemitebear Mountain Double Rainbow 1-8-10” |
| Video date | January 8, 2010 |
| Main location | Mariposa County near Yosemite |
| Famous for | His emotional reaction to a double rainbow |
| Previous careers | Firefighter, EMT, security officer, truck driver and others |
| MMA record | 0 wins, 1 loss |
| YouTube career | Nature and personal videos |
| Major TV appearance | Jimmy Kimmel Live! |
| Age at death | 57 |
| Date of death | May 9, 2020 |
| Cause of death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Legacy | One of YouTube’s most recognizable viral videos |
Why Did the Double Rainbow Video Go Viral?
The video was uploaded in January 2010 but did not immediately become a major hit. That is one of the most interesting parts of the story.2
Today it is easy to imagine a viral video becoming famous within hours.
In 2010 the internet worked differently. Videos could sit unnoticed for weeks or months before someone with a large audience discovered them. That happened with Vasquez.
The video eventually caught the attention of comedian and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel shared it in July 2010 and helped introduce the clip to a much larger audience. The number of views quickly exploded.
The video became part of a growing culture of viral internet personalities.
Unlike many modern influencers, Vasquez did not build a brand around the goal of becoming famous. His fame came from a single moment that people found funny, unusual and strangely moving.
His reaction was also easy to imitate. The phrase “Double rainbow” became a meme.
People created parodies. The Gregory Brothers turned the clip into the Double Rainbow Song. The meme spread across YouTube and social media.
Soon the man in the video was no longer simply Paul Vasquez. He was the Double Rainbow Guy.
Was Paul Vasquez Actually High in the Video?
One of the most common questions about the Double Rainbow Guy is whether he was under the influence of drugs when he filmed the video.
The speculation became part of the meme. Vasquez himself repeatedly denied that he was high during the recording.
In the 2015 CNN interview he directly addressed the question and said that he was not high when he filmed the famous rainbow reaction.
The important point is that the reaction was genuine. Vasquez was known for his strong interest in spirituality and nature.
He later described the experience in spiritual terms. He saw the rainbow as something much bigger than a simple weather phenomenon.
That helped explain why his reaction was so emotional. People watching the clip could interpret it as comedy.
Vasquez experienced it as something profound. That difference is one reason the video has lasted so long.
Paul Vasquez’s Life Before Internet Fame
The Double Rainbow Guy had already lived an unusual life before YouTube changed everything.
He worked for the California Conservation Corps and later became a firefighter. His career eventually took him in different directions.
He worked as a security officer and EMT in the Yosemite area. He also spent years driving trucks across the United States and Canada.
He also tried professional cage fighting. According to the 2015 CNN profile, Vasquez trained for a professional fight after losing a significant amount of weight. He eventually entered the cage in 2005.
He lost the fight. His official record was 0 wins and 1 loss. That detail is often surprising to people who only know him from the rainbow video.
Vasquez was not simply an internet personality.
He had worked several jobs and experienced many different chapters before becoming famous. His life near Yosemite eventually became the backdrop for his online videos.
Life on His Yosemite Property
Vasquez’s connection to Yosemite was one of the defining parts of his identity.
He bought property near the area and developed it over time. He grew fruit and spent much of his time outdoors. His property became known as Yosemite Bear Farm.
The setting also gave him an endless supply of material for his YouTube channel.
He filmed wildlife. He recorded weather events. He talked about his experiences. He showed viewers parts of his life that were far removed from Hollywood.
The New Yorker reported that Vasquez lived on a large rural property outside Mariposa and spent years filming the land and its surroundings.
This is why his YouTube channel became more than a collection of Double Rainbow memes.
There were many other videos. The famous rainbow clip was only one moment in a much larger body of work.
What Happened After the Video Became Famous?
The viral video changed Vasquez’s life almost overnight.
He appeared on television programs and became a recognizable internet celebrity. He appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Tosh.0.
He also took part in commercial projects and other media appearances. He traveled internationally.
The 2015 CNN profile reported that strangers had invited him to countries including Brazil and New Zealand. He also visited Iceland where people had embraced the Double Rainbow phenomenon.
Vasquez even became associated with a space at YouTube’s headquarters that he said was named the Double Rainbow Room.
His unusual fame also led to meetings with celebrities. One meeting that reportedly made him particularly happy was with Jennifer Aniston. He also participated in advertising projects.
For a man who had been living a relatively isolated life near Yosemite, this was an extraordinary change.
But Vasquez did not completely abandon his old lifestyle. He continued to live near Yosemite and continued making videos.
Did Paul Vasquez Become a Full-Time Celebrity?
Not really. Vasquez enjoyed his newfound fame but he never became a traditional Hollywood celebrity.
He remained closely connected to his property and his outdoor lifestyle. His fame was built around his personality rather than a conventional entertainment career.
The New Yorker reported that friends felt Vasquez had not fundamentally changed after becoming famous. He remained positive and continued to appreciate nature.
That is important because many viral stars struggle when the public moves on.
Vasquez seemed more comfortable treating his fame as an unexpected part of his life rather than making it his entire identity.
He also continued to upload videos. His YouTube presence became a kind of digital diary.
Even after the peak of the Double Rainbow meme had passed, people could still find him online.
Paul Vasquez’s YouTube Career
Vasquez was much more productive on YouTube than many people realize.
The original Double Rainbow clip became his signature video but he uploaded many other videos throughout his life.
His channel included nature footage, wildlife videos and updates from his property. The channel is still accessible today.
The original Double Rainbow video has surpassed 50 million views. That number shows how powerful the video became.
For comparison, the original clip was already considered a major viral sensation when it passed a few million views in 2010.
Over the years it continued attracting new viewers. People who discovered the meme later often went back to find the original video.
New generations of internet users could experience Vasquez’s reaction long after the original viral moment had passed.
Paul Vasquez and His Personal Philosophy
The Double Rainbow video is often remembered as a joke. But Vasquez did not see it that way.
For him, the rainbow represented something spiritual. He spoke about the experience as a moment of connection with something greater.
His interpretation was not necessarily tied to traditional religion. Instead, he often talked about spirituality and the universe.
That helps explain his emotional reaction. He was not simply yelling because the rainbow looked unusual. He believed he was experiencing something meaningful.
The New Yorker reported that friends saw his appreciation for nature as a central part of his personality. They remembered him as someone who could find joy in the world around him.
That interpretation has also changed the way people remember the video. What began as a meme eventually became something more wholesome.
People started seeing the clip as an example of genuine wonder.
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Paul Vasquez’s Health Problems
In early 2020, Vasquez began experiencing health problems. According to The New Yorker, he had increasing respiratory problems and a fever.3
A close friend believed he may have been dealing with pneumonia. Vasquez also spoke publicly about his health concerns on Facebook.
In early May he discussed his condition online and mentioned being tested for COVID-19. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading around the world.
However, his exact cause of death was never publicly confirmed.
This is an important detail because many later posts have incorrectly stated or implied that COVID-19 was definitely responsible for his death.
Available reporting does not establish that. The cause of death was not publicly released by the authorities.
When Did Paul Vasquez Die?
Paul “Bear” Vasquez died on May 9, 2020. He was 57 years old.
The Mariposa County Coroner’s Office confirmed his death. Reports said he died after going to an emergency room in Mariposa, California. His cause of death was not disclosed.
His death was reported by major publications including The Washington Post, People and KQED. The news was especially emotional for people who had followed the Double Rainbow story for years.
For many viewers, Vasquez represented one of the happier sides of early internet culture.
He was not famous because of scandal. He was not famous because of a carefully planned marketing campaign.
He became famous because he saw something beautiful and reacted with complete honesty.
What Was the Reaction to His Death?
The response to Vasquez’s death showed how much affection people had developed for him.
Jimmy Kimmel was among those who remembered him. Friends and fans shared the original video again and celebrated the joy that Vasquez had brought to millions of viewers.
The New Yorker spoke with people who knew Vasquez personally. His friends remembered his kindness, enthusiasm and love of nature.
The Washington Post described his video as an important relic from the early era of viral internet fame.
That description is fitting. The Double Rainbow video belongs to a period when viral fame was still relatively new.
Before TikTok and short-form video dominated social media, YouTube clips could spread through blogs, Twitter and television.
Vasquez was one of the people who helped define that early internet culture.
Why Is the Double Rainbow Video Still Popular?
There are several reasons the video has survived.
First, the reaction is authentic. Vasquez does not appear to be performing for an audience. His emotions build naturally.
Second, the moment is universal. Almost everyone has experienced a beautiful natural event. A sunset, a storm, a rainbow or a spectacular view can create a strong emotional response.
Third, the video is funny without being cruel. The internet laughed at Vasquez’s reaction but the clip also made people happy.
Finally, there is something timeless about his central question. What does this mean?
It is funny in the context of the video but it is also a surprisingly human question.
Why do beautiful moments affect us so strongly? Why do we sometimes feel overwhelmed by something as simple as nature?
That is why the video eventually became more than a meme.
Paul Vasquez’s Legacy
Paul Vasquez’s legacy is much bigger than the phrase “double rainbow.”
His video became an early example of how ordinary people could suddenly reach millions of viewers.
Before the rise of TikTok creators and influencer culture, YouTube was already creating unexpected stars.
Vasquez was one of them. But his legacy also has a more personal side. He reminded people to appreciate things that are easy to overlook.
A rainbow is not rare in the sense that humans have never seen one before. Yet Vasquez looked at it as though he had never seen anything like it.
That sense of wonder became the heart of the video. Years after his death, people continue to watch it.
The original upload remains online and has accumulated more than 50 million views.
That means millions of people continue to encounter the same moment of amazement that Vasquez experienced on January 8, 2010.
In a strange way, the video allows him to keep sharing that moment.
Where Is the Double Rainbow Guy Now?
Paul Vasquez is no longer alive. He died on May 9, 2020, at the age of 57. However, his online presence remains.
His YouTube channel is still accessible. His original Double Rainbow video continues to attract viewers.
Clips from the video are still shared across social media. The phrase “double rainbow” remains strongly connected to his reaction.
For people searching “Where is the Double Rainbow Guy now?” the most accurate answer is that Paul Vasquez passed away in 2020. His internet legacy, however, is still very much alive.
The original video remains one of the most enduring viral clips from the early YouTube era.
What Happened to Paul Vasquez’s Family?
Vasquez had two adult children. The New Yorker reported that he was survived by two children when he died in 2020.
He had also been married before later divorcing. Because his family members have largely remained outside the spotlight, there is limited reliable public information about their lives today.
That is worth remembering when discussing internet personalities.
Becoming famous from one viral video does not mean every part of a person’s private life becomes public.
Vasquez’s public legacy is primarily connected to his work online, his relationship with nature and the Double Rainbow video.
The Double Rainbow Meme and Internet Culture
The Double Rainbow meme became one of the defining internet jokes of 2010.
The video inspired remixes, parodies and music. The Gregory Brothers created the popular Double Rainbow Song, which introduced the clip to an even larger audience.
The meme also became a reference point for people discussing viral internet fame.
Vasquez’s story showed that a person did not need to be a professional actor or musician to become famous.
A camera and an unexpected moment could be enough. That idea has become normal today. In 2010 it was still relatively new.
Was Paul Vasquez Happy With His Internet Fame?
By most accounts, yes. Vasquez appeared to enjoy the attention and the opportunities that came from the video.
He traveled. He appeared on television. He met celebrities. He participated in commercials and other projects.
But friends said he remained essentially the same person.
The New Yorker reported that he felt blessed by his unexpected fame and enjoyed the strange journey it created.
That may be one of the most appealing aspects of his story. He did not seem desperate to turn one viral moment into a conventional celebrity career.
Instead, he returned to his property and continued living his unusual life.
What Can We Learn From the Double Rainbow Guy?
The story of Paul Vasquez offers an interesting lesson about internet fame. Viral fame can arrive without warning.
It can disappear just as quickly. But a genuinely memorable moment can last for decades.
Vasquez also showed the value of authenticity. He did not try to create the perfect viral reaction. He simply reacted to something that moved him.
People initially laughed at the video because his reaction was so extreme. Eventually many people began appreciating it because the emotion was real.
That distinction matters. The video may have started as a joke but it ended up becoming a celebration of wonder.
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FAQ’s
Was Paul Vasquez the real Double Rainbow Guy?
Yes. Paul L. Vasquez was the man behind the original Double Rainbow video. He uploaded the footage to YouTube in January 2010 under the username Hungrybear9562. His channel later became associated with the name Yosemitebear62.
Is Paul Vasquez still alive?
No. Paul Vasquez died on May 9, 2020, at age 57. His death was confirmed by the Mariposa County Coroner’s Office.
How did Paul Vasquez die?
The publicly available reports did not disclose a definitive cause of death. Vasquez had experienced health problems and respiratory symptoms shortly before his death and had been tested for COVID-19. However, reports did not establish COVID-19 as his cause of death.
Was Paul Vasquez high when he filmed the Double Rainbow?
Vasquez said he was not high when he recorded the famous video. He directly addressed the speculation in interviews.
When was the Double Rainbow video filmed?
Vasquez filmed the video on January 8, 2010. He uploaded it to YouTube on the same date.
How many views does the Double Rainbow video have?
The original video has accumulated more than 50 million views on YouTube. The exact number continues to change as people watch it.
Conclusion
Paul Vasquez became famous because he reacted to a double rainbow in a way that nobody could have predicted.
His video was funny. It was strange. It was emotional. Most importantly, it was genuine.
That combination turned a simple recording from near Yosemite into one of the most recognizable viral videos of the early YouTube era.
Vasquez looked at something as familiar as a rainbow and reacted as if he had been given the chance to see something extraordinary.
Yet Paul Vasquez’s voice still rises from that old YouTube clip as he asks the question that became part of internet history:
What does this mean? For many viewers, the answer is simple.
It means there is still beauty in the world. And sometimes it is worth stopping to look at it.
