Tony Hawk, born Anthony Frank Hawk on May 12, 1968, in San Diego, California, is a renowned American professional skateboarder, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is best known as a pioneer in vertical, or "vert," skateboarding. Hawk's journey into skateboarding began when his older brother gave him a skateboard at the age of nine. By 12, he was winning amateur contests across California, and by 14, he turned pro. At just 16, he was widely regarded as the world's best competitive skateboarder. Hawk's achievements in skateboarding are vast. He won 73 professional contests out of 103 entered, finishing second in 19 others. He was named the vert skating world champion 12 consecutive years. His most iconic feat was becoming the first skateboarder to land a "900" at the 1999 ESPN X Games. This trick involves completing two-and-a-half mid-air revolutions on a skateboard. Hawk retired from professional competition in 1999 but continued to perform at the X Games until 2003. In 2016, at age 48, he performed what he claimed would be his final 900. Beyond skateboarding, Hawk is a successful entrepreneur. He co-founded Birdhouse Skateboards with Per Welinder in 1992 and has a line of video games, including the highly successful "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" series. The series has surpassed $1.4 billion in sales. Hawk also founded the Tony Hawk Foundation, which has helped build over 600 skateparks in low-income communities across the United States. Currently, Tony Hawk remains a prominent figure in popular culture. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of skateboarders and fans alike. His work through the Tony Hawk Foundation has made skateboarding more accessible and provided opportunities for youth development. Despite his retirement from competitive skateboarding, Hawk continues to be involved in various projects and remains an iconic figure in the world of sports and entertainment.