Tony Hawk is a legendary skateboarder who revolutionized the sport with his technical innovations and breathtaking stunts.
He is also a successful businessman, philanthropist and media personality who has influenced millions of fans worldwide.
Tony Hawk was the first to achieve “900” Skateboarding wizard, creator of a popular video game, and founder of a charity that builds skateboard parks for disadvantaged communities.
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- Full name: Anthony Frank Hawk
- Date of birth: May 12, 1968
- Age: 56 years old
- male
- Place of birth: San Diego, California, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Skateboarder, businessman
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
- Parents: Nancy and Frank Hawk
- Siblings: Pat, Lenore and Steve
- Spouses: Cindy Dunbar (1990-1993), Erin Lee (1996-2004), Lhotse Merriam (2006-2011), Catherine Goodman (2015-present)
- Children: Riley Hawk, Spencer Hawk, Keegan Hawk and Kadence Hawk
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: 140 million USD
Early Life & Education
Tony Hawk was born on May 12, 1968 in San Diego, California, to Nancy and Frank Hawk, who supported his passion for skateboarding.
He has two sisters, Pat Hawk and Lenore Hawk, and one brother, Steve Hawk. Tony was a gifted child with an IQ of 144 and was tested into advanced classes in school.
However, he also has a lot of energy and is often restless. He started skateboarding at age 9 and found it to be the perfect outlet for creativity and daring.
He entered his first competition at age 11 and impressed the judges with his originality and skill.
He turned professional at age 14 and joined Powell Peralta, where he starred in popular Bones Brigade videos. He attended three high schools and graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 1986.
Personal life
Tony Hawk has been married four times and has four children. His first wife was Cindy Dunbar, whom he married in 1990 and divorced in 1993.
They have a son, Riley, who is also a professional skateboarder. His second wife was Erin Lee, whom he married in 1996 and divorced in 2004.
They have two sons, Spencer and Keegan. His third wife was Lhotse Merriam, whom he married in 2006 and divorced in 2011.
They have a daughter, Kadence. His fourth and current wife is Catherine Goodman, whom he married in 2015.
Tony is a devoted father who regularly skates with his children and takes them on trips. He is also a vegetarian and an animal rights activist.
Career
Tony Hawk is considered one of the most influential skateboarders ever.
He dominated top skateboarding in the 1980s and 1990s, winning 73 titles and being named top skateboarder every year from 1984 to 1996.
He also invented dozens of tricks, such as the ollie-to-Indy, the fitness powerhouse, the 540-rodeo front flip, and the Saran wrap.
His most famous feat was landing the first “900(two and a half laps) at the 1999 X Games, a trick considered impossible. He retired from competitive skateboarding in 2003 but continued to perform in exhibitions and shows.
Tony Hawk is also a successful businessman who has built a skateboarding empire. He founded Birdhouse, a manufacturer of skateboards and accessories, and Blitz, a distributor of skateboard products, in the early 1990s. He also launched Hawk Clothing, a skateboard clothing line for children, in 1998. .
He partnered with Activision to create Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, a series of skateboarding video games that launched in 1999 and became one of the best-selling video games ever.
He founded Tony Hawk, Inc., to oversee all of his business operations. He also owns a production company 900 Films and the YouTube channel RIDE Channel.
Tony Hawk is also a philanthropist who has contributed to the skateboarding community. He founded the Skatepark Project (formerly known as the Tony Hawk Foundation) in 2002, a charity that helps build skate parks in low-income areas worldwide.
He also supports various causes, such as education, environmentalism, cancer research, and disaster relief. He has donated millions of dollars and skateboards to various organizations and events.
prize
Tony Hawk has received many awards and honors for his achievements and contributions to skateboarding and society.
Some of them are:
- National Skateboarding Association world champion (1983-1995).
- Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year (1990).
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Male Athlete (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004).
- Teen Choice Award for selected male athlete (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006).
- ESPN Music and Action Sports Award for Skateboarder of the Year (2001, 2002).
- Laureus World Sports Award for Alternative Sports Athlete of the Year (2000, 2001).
- Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Favorite Male Athlete (2004).
- Spike Video Game Award for Best Athlete in a Video Game (2004).
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Video Game Soundtrack (2004).
- Guinness World Record for most influential skateboarder (2010).
- Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductee (2010).
Argumentative
Tony Hawk has faced some controversy and criticism throughout his career. Some of the problems he has solved are:
- He divorced his third wife, Lhotse Merriam, in 2011, followed by rumors that he had an affair with his best friend’s wife, Cathy Goodman, whom he later married in 2015. He denied the allegations and said that he and Goodman only got together after their marriage ended.
- His participation in the 2012 documentary Bones Brigade: An Autobiography was directed by his former mentor and team manager, Stacy Peralta. Some of his former teammates, such as Rodney Mullen and Steve Caballero, felt that the film was biased and gave too much credit to Hawk and Peralta for the success of the Bones Brigade team.
- Decided to sell his first skateboard, on which he performed the “900” at the 1999 X Games, to the Smithsonian Institution in 2014. Some fans and collectors felt he should have kept the board or donate it to a skateboarding museum instead of giving it to a mainstream institution.
- He participated in a 2014 prank video where he pretended to ride a skateboard, a fictional device from the Back to the Future film series. The video produced by Funny or Die website fooled many people and caused a backlash when it was discovered to be fake. Hawk apologizes for the hoax and says he did it for fun and charity.
Social Media
- Instagram: @tonyhawk
- Twitter: @tonyhawk
Net value
Tony Hawk has an estimated net worth of $140 million.
He has earned a lot of money from his skateboarding career, business ventures, video game franchises, endorsements, and media appearances.
