Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk recently reminisced about his experience working as David Spade’s stunt double in the 1987 film Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. In a recent episode of Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast, Hawk revealed that he initially auditioned for a role in the movie, which follows a group of civilian volunteers who work alongside police officers to fight crime.
Although Hawk didn’t land a lead role, the film’s team decided to hire him as a stand-in for Spade during scenes that required complex skateboard tricks, as both Hawk and Spade were goofy-footed. In the film, Spade’s character, Kyle, a skater who was placed in the program as punishment for his crimes.
However, as filming began, Hawk had gone through a growth spurt, causing him to become taller than originally anticipated. The director and the crew felt that Hawk’s height was now an issue, and they concluded that he wasn’t suitable to be Spade’s stunt double.
Hawk recalled, “I remember the director saying, like, ‘Y’know, he’s a pretty good skater but he’s a bad stunt double,’ and so then Stacy [Peralta, second unit director for skateboarding] kept telling me like, ‘Stay low. Stay low.’ I was trying, I was trying, and then they just quietly sent me home. Basically, I got fired.”
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To replace Hawk, skater Chris Miller was brought in. However, Miller wasn’t goofy-footed like Spade, which resulted in some continuity issues during filming. Hawk added, “His stance keeps changing. It’s so crazy.”
Despite being fired as Spade’s stunt double, Hawk did make an appearance in the film. Spade recalled a scene where Peralta asked if he could perform one of his own stunts, which involved jumping several steps on a skateboard. Spade confidently claimed that he could do it, but unfortunately wiped out during the first attempt, causing everyone behind him to also wipe out.
In light of this failed take, Peralta decided to have Hawk step in to complete the stunt. While the skateboarder noted that it was challenging, it was still achievable.
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol is credited as Spade’s debut feature film. Although Hawk faced obstacles during his time on set, his involvement in the film showcases his skill and talent as a skateboarder.
This experience serves as a reminder that even legendary figures like Tony Hawk encounter setbacks and failures. However, despite being fired as Spade’s stunt double, Hawk’s resilience and determination allowed him to continue making an impact in the world of skateboarding.
Tony Hawk’s story also highlights the importance of adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. Despite being replaced by another skater, Hawk was still able to contribute to the movie and demonstrate his abilities.
In conclusion, Tony Hawk’s memories of his time as David Spade’s stunt double in Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol shed light on the challenges and setbacks he faced during his career. Despite the initial disappointment of being fired due to a growth spurt, Hawk’s perseverance and ability to adapt allowed him to still make a valuable contribution to the film. His story serves as a reminder that setbacks are often opportunities for growth and that success is not always linear. Hawk’s legacy as a legendary skateboarder remains intact, and his experiences in the film industry only add to his multifaceted career.
