Exclusive: Tony Hawk talks poker, Jackass movie, skateboarding and more

• Tony Hawk says he’s open to playing more charity poker after finishing second in a Vegas celebrity tournament
• The skateboarding icon admits disappointment at not filming scenes for Jackass: Best & Last
• Hawk says he’d “absolutely” make a new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game if given the chance

Tony Hawk is to skateboarding as Wayne Gretzky is to hockey and Michael Jordan is to basketball.

The 58-year-old continues to be a prominent name nearly three decades after he went mainstream when he became the first person to hit the “900” move at the 1999 Summer X Games. 

Shortly thereafter, Hawk became even bigger as a result of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise that continues to this day with re-releases on the current consoles.

Hawk has also been present in the poker scene. He told Casino.org that he really started understanding the game at a deeper level a decade ago but doesn’t have the time to fully dedicate himself to the craft.

“I got invited to a few of the celebrity poker events over the years, and I would say about 10 years ago I went to one in Vegas, and the game lasted so long that I started really figuring out the strategies of everyone,” Hawk said. “It was kind of like in that moment where you see the memes, where all of a sudden you’re seeing all the diagrams and all the math, and it’s like, “Oh I I get this.’

“I ended up getting second in that tournament, and winning a bunch of money for charity. It was super fun, but I realized I don’t really have the time to devote to this, even though I finally do get it.”

Hawk says he would still be interested in participating in charity poker events, and relayed his most memorable moment at a past tournament involving a former Saturday Night Live star.
“Every once in a while, if there is a big chance for charity, I’ll do it,” Hawk said. “I did another one in the Bahamas. Actually, I played with Norm Macdonald in the Bahamas before he passed away. So that’s my favorite poker memory. I think that’s the best I can hope for.”

Known for his prowess flying through the air on a skateboard, Hawk said there is a similar surge of excitement at the poker table.

“There is this serious adrenaline rush,” Hawk said, “when you go all in.”

While he doesn’t have plans of turning poker into a second-act career, Hawk would be up for more charity events if the situation presents itself.

“Yeah, I’m open to it if the timing’s right,” Hawk said. “I’m rusty. I’ll tell you that.”

Hawk talks final Jackass movie, memories

Johnny Knoxville and his cohorts recently released Jackass: Best and Last which he says is the final chapter in a decades-long trek as the country’s most notable pranksters.

Hawk has long been in their orbit, as most of the stars trace their beginnings back to skateboarding.

“The spirit of Jackass was born out of skating, and so it’s not a surprise that all the main players mostly skated through their youth, because skating is such a DIY mentality,” Hawk said. “You challenge yourself, especially to big physical challenges. All of those guys were used to getting hurt doing things that are for no video, for no money. 

“There’s a serious creative element to skateboarding that shines through in the Jackass series. I was already close to most of the main players since they were skaters or they ran skate magazines, and it’s always fun.”

Hawk participated in skits through the years and learned to always keep his head on a swivel.

“It’s always an adventure, and sometimes a cause of anxiety when you’re on set, because you never know,” Hawk said. “You never really know if you’re waiting to do the thing, or if the thing is happening to you in that moment. So you’ve always got to keep either your drink or your crotch covered with your hand.”

Hawk said he always loves to be involved in Jackass productions and was mildly disappointed that he didn’t have a role in the most recent movie.

“They know I’m always in at some level,” Hawk said. “I mean, to be honest, I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get the call for this one. But it sounded like this one was shot very quickly, and they were leaning into a lot of archival footage. I signed the release to use old footage. So I’m in there, but it would have been fun to shoot something new.”

Hawk was not able to attend the premiere but was happy to hear people enjoyed the potential final chapter.

“I’m really excited for them,” Hawk said. “Unfortunately, I was out of town during the premiere. I was invited, but I wasn’t able to make it. And it sounds like it’s gotten great reception. In fact, I just saw Ice-T a couple weeks ago. We were both doing the same show, and he couldn’t say enough good things about it.”

If Jackass does have an encore down the road, count Hawk in as a collaborator.

“I think more as an instigator as opposed to a victim,” Hawk said. 

When asked about his favorite skit from over the years, Hawk doesn’t hesitate.

“The bungee jump with Weeman and Preston makes me laugh hysterically every time,” Hawk said. “Every time. It’s so perfect. It’s so simple, and it just encapsulates who they are and what they would do with themselves.”

Hawk on current skateboard scene, future video game potential

While he’s intertwined in other ventures, Hawk always keeps a close eye on the skateboarding scene.

He highlighted some of the skateboarders he enjoys to watch.

“I think Jamie Foy is one of the best all-around skaters,” Hawk said. “He doesn’t compete much. I think he does compete, but you can’t say that he’s the top competitor. But what he’s capable of doing is kind of beyond what people think is possible in a lot of ways. 

“I think in terms of the type of skating I do, half pipe, vert skating, while Tom Scharr is still the gold standard, but there’s this kid Ao Nishikawa who has done a few NBDs (never been done before) in the last year that I truly thought were not possible.”

Hawk helped lesser-known skateboarders rise to a high level of fame through his Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game franchise. 

Some of the current participants have been cast in re-releases, and Hawk said he would love to create a brand-new Tony Hawk Pro Skater game.

“Absolutely, yeah,” Hawk said. “It’s been one of my greatest joys, and of course, successes, doing video games throughout my life.”

When asked if a new game could come out after the likely re-release of Underground, Hawk gave a laugh.

“Your words, not mine,” Hawk said.

Hawk details change in fitness routine

Hawk has partnered with the supplemental brand Qunol to raise awareness about staying active as you age.

Hawk, 58, continues to skateboard but has added other physical activities to his routine. He says the big thing is for adults to keep movement a part of their daily lives.

“We are doing the “Move Like a Champion” campaign because I think, especially at my age, movement is hugely important,” Hawk said. “It doesn’t have to look the way it did when you were young. Mine certainly doesn’t. The way that I skate, the way that I’m active is much more low impact, but equally as important. We’re trying to encourage people to get out there and move, keep it moving. Whether you’re dancing, walking your dog, chasing your kids, chasing your grandkids, we’re encouraging people to show us how they move.”

Participants can record a video of themselves and tag Qunol on any social network. The company will then select videos and give away prize packs which include Birdhouse skateboards and signed Tony Hawk gear.

The partnership with Qunol was a natural one for Hawk, who says he learned the hard way that he needed to focus on taking care of himself.

“In my 20s and 30s, I really just skated, and I didn’t take into consideration that I might benefit from other activities or from training outside of riding my skateboard,” Hawk said. “It wasn’t until really I got into my 40s and 50s that I realized the benefit of working out, of stretching, of recovery. All the sort of cliche activities that people talk about, but it’s true. It works. 

“I got into a bit of a problem about four years ago. I broke my femur, and I tried to get back to my skating sooner than I should have. I sabotaged the recovery. My bone never reconnected to itself, and I had to go through another surgery, and after that time is when I really stepped back and realized I need to take better care of myself, not take this for granted. Rest, eat well, take my supplements, and work out and stretch. I mean, I can’t even emphasize enough the value of staying limber as much as you can.”

Hawk says he’s a different type of skater these days as he approaches 60 years old.

“I’m more into the technique and the technical aspect of skating now,” Hawk said. “What I mean by that is board maneuvers, more intricate grinding tricks and things. Instead of giant aerials, big spins like that stuff that I just can’t do at my age, that I can’t survive when they go bad.”