Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tony Hawk

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 7, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tony Hawk made an impact.

Tony Hawk, nicknamed Birdman, is a pioneering American professional skateboarder and entrepreneur. He owns the skateboard company Birdhouse and is credited with completing the first documented "900" skateboarding trick. In 1999, he also licensed the highly successful skateboarding video game series bearing his name. Retiring from professional competition in 2003, Hawk remains one of the most influential and celebrated skateboarders of all time, significantly shaping the landscape of modern vertical skateboarding.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1993: Editing Promotional Video for Lords of Thunder

In 1993, Tony Hawk used the Video Toaster he received from NewTek for his Amiga to edit a promotional video for the TurboDuo game Lords of Thunder.

2002: Creation of the Tony Hawk Foundation

In 2002, Tony Hawk created the Tony Hawk Foundation in response to the shortage of safe and legal skateparks in America.

2007: Founding Athletes for Hope

In 2007, Tony Hawk, along with other athletes, founded the charity Athletes for Hope to inspire volunteerism and community support through professional athletes' actions.

2015: Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award

In 2015, the Tony Hawk Foundation received the Robert Wood Johnson Sports award for its innovative and influential approaches to using sports to build a culture of health in their communities.

June 2018: Tony Hawk Foundation Awards

As of June 2018, Tony Hawk's foundation has awarded US$5.8 million, aiding 596 skatepark projects.

2020: Tony Hawk Foundation Renamed

In 2020, the Tony Hawk Foundation changed its name to The Skatepark Project to better reflect the organization's mission.

March 2022: HBO Documentary Raises Funds for Ukraine Relief

In March 2022, an HBO documentary about Tony Hawk raised money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine by raffling off access to an advance screening and afterparty, with half of the proceeds donated to Direct Relief.

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