Tony Hawk is the man, the myth, and skateboard legend. The now 50-year-old retired skateboarder resides in Encinitas, CA with his family, where he travels, skates for leisure and speaks at different events. This means he's out in public quite often where people have the chance to interact with and recognize him as a normal human being. But, as always, we humans suck and basically screw up every chance we have to play it cool in front of celebrities.
Thankfully, Hawk shares his hilarious experiences with fans and the average (or below average) humans he meets. Luckily, he laughs off most of his unfortunate encounters, but they often give a good laugh to all his followers and fans.
Here he is!
via: Getty Images
Take a long look, my friends. This is Mr. Tony Hawk, the coolest skateboarder ever.A better look
via: Getty Images
Maybe you recognize him more with a helmet strapped on and a skateboard magically attached to his feet.Tony in motion
Here he is flying through the air, mastering an insane gravity-defying trick.Skater, entrepreneur, dad and overall Twitter savage
My daughter is already getting into politics by learning the art of flip-flopping. https://t.co/z8jV0LpZbK— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1476035102.0
A young legend
Tony Hawk - the young gun, 1981 https://t.co/auuuIHKcdv— NME (@NME)1471284746.0
Baby Hawk
Showing off my new teeth in 1982 (they didn't last long) https://t.co/eeL1vYVL2w— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1526589814.0
Do we have any excuses?
Since his fame started at a pretty young age, it seems odd that so many people do not recognize him, or get him mixed up with other celebrities.Does he ride bikes or skateboards?
TSA agent (staring intently): I’m trying to figure out who you look like before checking your ID. Me: ok TSA: that… https://t.co/NvzFdKR3yi— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1534865228.0
That's a great question
Guy at grocery store: "you ever get mistaken for Tony Hawk... or are you Tony Hawk? Me: both!— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1531600755.0
This guy is good
Security guard at Pier 54: "Can I help you?" Me: I'm here to skate; I'm TH. Him: "you're too young to be TH." Me: you are hired forever.— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1314977163.0
Irony at its finest
Flight attendant checking overhead bins, sees four skateboards Him, jokingly: "is Tony Hawk on this flight or somet… https://t.co/2vQd2skYs6— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1531521070.0
Who is Anthony Hawk?!
To clarify: my legal name is Anthony TSA agent checks my ID, looks at me, looks at ID, looks back at me quizzicall… https://t.co/a0pZ8HQ5GE— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1529585036.0
Slightly awkward encounters
guy on escalator: Hey are you Tony Hawk? me: yes him: you still skate? me: yes, quite often him: but you're not tha… https://t.co/Lj1IsegSXO— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1528829135.0
How could you forget this face?
Took this headshot in 1986 and never felt the need to update it. 📷: @jgrantbrittain https://t.co/bZjMx8XZmd— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1524951489.0
Some people are just plain rude
Woman on plane retrieving her luggage in the overhead: "Who's skateboard is this? It's blocking my bag" me: that's… https://t.co/C0D92hPJVh— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1523841234.0
Some people really do recognize him
At my gate, waiting for a flight: Guy with 8x10's & pen approaches, asks me to sign them Me: How did you get past s… https://t.co/zN5l9MvgKQ— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1521846800.0
Just missed him
Cool story... I mean, my story was actually cool but you missed it. https://t.co/TlGOrqTp5i— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1521846781.0
Never ending mystery
I was, and it was excellent. Believe the hype. https://t.co/hrTqbH3x2j— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1520809480.0
Sometimes he is recognizable...
Today at ORD: "Hey are you Tony Hawk?" yes "Can I get a picture with you?" yes "Can we take it with your phone and you send it to me?" uh...— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1503348939.0
Definitely not Tom Brady
guy at restaurant: "you famous?" me: I think that depends on who you ask him: "anyone ever tell you that you look like Tom Brady?" me: never— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1502991977.0
Even his daughter is unsure sometimes
"Look Kady, that's me in the pink shirt" Her: "Are you sure?" https://t.co/tYk4dCfhA6— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1495304166.0
People from Iowa seem to be nice
Dude at gas station in Iowa: "Anyone ever tell you that you look like a young Tony Hawk?" He is my new favorite person.— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1408247503.0
The AUDACITY
Dude boarding plane after me: "I need a place for my bag" & removes my skateboard from overhead. Me: find another place... and some manners— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1492585573.0
You can call him Mr. Awesome
Woman at airport: "My husband told me you're an awesome something something. Are you?" Me: "Yes, in fact it's the title on my business card"— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1373911789.0
Another airport encounter
TSA agent (checking my ID): "Hawk, like that skateboarder Tony Hawk!" Me: exactly Her: "Cool, I wonder what he's up to these days" Me: this— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1490133774.0
Fiesty Hawk
And this is why we love Tony. The lack of recognition can be a pain in the butt I'm sure, but karma has a way of figuring it all out on its own.Give this guy some street cred
What does this guy have to do in order to get some recognition around here? Be the first person to ever successfully complete a 900?I mean, he has a Pop doll
So much Pop (available soon from @originalfunko) https://t.co/n0JbX7rIa3— Tony Hawk (@Tony Hawk)1532633291.0