Quick Intro: Tony Hawk

A quick intro into Tony Hawk will show a top skateboarder, savvy businessman and devoted family member. The nine-time gold medal winner at the X-Games is perhaps best known for his skateboarding career, which also spawned a long line of top-selling video games.  

Born in San Diego, California, Tony Hawk began skateboarding as a child, turning pro at the tender age of 14.  He quickly rose to fame on the skateboarding circuit, winning his first X-Games medals in 1995. Hawk was also the first skateboarder to complete a 900, two-and-a-half revolutions, at the 1999 X-Games, winning gold for best vert trick. His dominance continued at the X-Games through the early 2000s as he took home the top price in the vert doubles six consecutive years.  

During the height of his skateboarding career, Hawk started his own skateboarding company, Birdhouse Projects. While the company and Hawk went through some financial difficulties, both quickly rebounded, with Birdhouse soon becoming one of the largest companies of its kind.

The business side exploded in the late 1990s, introducing Hawk Clothing and the first Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game. Several editions later, the Tony Hawk video game became arguably the most popular skateboarding franchise of all time.

Tony Hawk's branding continued to expand throughout the years. He founded an extreme sports tour founded in 2002, Boom Boom HuckJam. Later, Tony Hawk thrill rides, opened at Six Flags amusement parks across the United States. After years of success, Hawk hasn't forgetten about all those who helped him along the way, creating the Tony Hawk Foundation, which gives back to non-profit organizations and helps fund public skateparks across the country.

Despite a best-selling video game franchise, foundation and other projects, Hawk also spends a great deal of time with his family. The mogul has been married three times, most recently to Lhotse Merriam in 2006. Collectively, Hawk has four children, including his oldest son, Riley, who has joined the family business as a skater for Birdhouse.