Hawk, Tony (1968-…), an American skateboarder, is one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of skateboarding. Hawk’s skill and popularity are credited with helping to establish skateboarding as a sport and form of recreation in the 1980’s. Hawk also developed business interests that helped spread the success of skateboarding. These interests include video games, a clothing line, and a retail skateboarding equipment company called Birdhouse Skateboards. In 2002, Hawk organized the Boom Boom HuckJam tour, an arena show that features skateboard and motocross exhibitions.
Anthony Frank Hawk was born on May 12, 1968, in San Diego. He began skateboarding at the age of 9 and became a professional skateboarder at the age of 14. He retired from competitive skateboarding in 1999 but continued to give demonstrations. In 2002, he established the Tony Hawk Foundation, which donates money to erect skateboard parks in poor communities.
Hawk wrote two autobiographies, Hawk: Occupation, Skateboarder (2000) with Sean Mortimer and How Did I Get Here? (2010) with Pat Hawk, his sister. He also wrote a journal, Between Boardslides and Burnout: My Notes from the Road (2002).
