Tony Hawk is famous enough that even if you don’t follow extreme sports, you probably still know who he is. He’s an all-time great skateboarder, but since then he’s branched out into several other fields. He’s made numerous appearances on TV and in films, he’s released several hit video games, and he does regular philanthropic work.
But even though Tony Hawk is a legit celebrity, plenty of people still get confused when they meet him in public. Tony Hawk’s Twitter feed is a treasure trove of awkward fan run-ins. People recognize that he’s famous, somehow, but they have no idea why specifically. And for some reason, they think that’s an interesting thing to tell him. It’s almost an insult, isn’t it?
At least Tony Hawk has a sense of humor about it. We’re lucky enough that he’s been sharing these stories for a while now, and here are 15 of the best. (via Bored Panda)
1. You’re the best at whatever it is that you do!
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 (@tonyhawk) July 15, 2013
2. This one is sweet!
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 (@tonyhawk) August 17, 2014
3. Aaaand then the universe balances itself out.
I’m sorry if these encounters seem redundant… but they’re all true & this just happened.
Sitting at gate, guy recognizes me, walks over & says hello.
Guy next to me: “you’re Tony Hawk?”
Me: yes
Him: “I have seen any recent pictures of you. You’ve gotten older.”
Me: it happens— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) March 8, 2019
4. You win some, you lose some.
Pulling up to drive-through window, girl starts to read back my order and stops herself: “you’re Tony Hawk?”
me: yes
her: “can I tell everyone?”
me: I suppose
her: “yo, we got Tony Hawk at the window!”
voice from kitchen: “Who?”— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 21, 2019
5. You’re thinking of Shaun White…who’s a snowboarder. (And “thinking” is generous.)
Guy asks for a picture with me, woman nearby says “I don’t know who you are”
me: I don’t expect you to
her: what do you do?
me: I’m a pro skateboarder
her: are you from Huntington Beach?
me: no, I’m from San Diego
her: so you’re not that guy with red hair that won the Olympics?— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) October 27, 2018
6. You can’t slip anything past the TSA.
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 (@tonyhawk) March 21, 2017
7. Cleanup in aisle three.
Guy at grocery store:
“you ever get mistaken for Tony Hawk… or are you Tony Hawk?
Me: both!— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 14, 2018
8. You look way different outside your metal suit.
Guy approaches me while standing in line at coffee shop in Cancún.
Him: my friend says you are a famous person. Is that true?
Me: that depends on your definition of fame
Him: will you show up on Google if I search your name?
Me: yes
Him (typing into phone): you are Tony Stark?— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 3, 2019
9. Don’t quit your day job, Tony.
Woman on plane retrieving her luggage in the overhead:
“Who’s skateboard is this? It’s blocking my bag”
me: that’s mine, you can pass it here
her: “It’s yours? You ride it?
me: yes
her: “Are you any good at it?”
me: sometimes
her: cackles maniacally, exits plane— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 16, 2018
10. Even Tony Hawk runs out of patience sometimes.
me: sitting near my gate, waiting to board
guy: sits next to me & shows me his phone with pictures of me visible
him: “Is this you?”
me: “yes, but some are less than flattering”
him: “I’m gonna tell my son”
me: “that you did a Google search?”— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) October 9, 2018
11. OK…what are the job requirements for the TSA? Having a pulse?
TSA agent (staring intently): I’m trying to figure out who you look like before checking your ID.
Me: ok
TSA: that cyclist Armstrong!
Nearby agent: that ain’t Lance Armstrong
Me: he’s right
TSA: oh you look like that skateboarder (checks ID). Same last name too! Crazy!
Me: crazy— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) August 21, 2018
12. *mind blown*
guy on escalator: Hey are you Tony Hawk?
me: yes
him: you still skate?
me: yes, quite often
him: but you’re not that recognizable!
me: I’m not sure what that means… but you recognized me, so here we are
him: [blank stare]
– escalator ends –— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) June 12, 2018
13. That one Hertz.
At rental car agency, can’t find my name on the monitor to find my car, go inside & wait in line. Finally get to the front, agent sees me & says “you really are Tony Hawk”
Me: um, yes. I was looking for my name outside on the list
Him: “I deleted it because I thought it was fake”— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 14, 2019
14. Did I…did I make you appear by saying your name?
Flight attendant checking overhead bins, sees four skateboards
Him, jokingly: “is Tony Hawk on this flight or something?”
Looks down, sees me
Him: “I guess he is”
????— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 13, 2018
15. And it all comes full circle.
Guy at airport (loudly, from afar): “Hey, you look like Tony Hawk”
me: turning to see him
him: “haha, I read your Tweets!”Is this the beginning of the end?#tweetception
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) September 29, 2018
h/t: Bored Panda and Someecards