In the world of Hollywood, not everything goes as planned. Behind the glamour and glitz, there are countless stories of failed attempts and unforeseen challenges. One such incident involves the legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, who had the opportunity to showcase his skills as a stunt double in the movie “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol.” However, Hawk’s time on set was short-lived and marred with unexpected obstacles.
During his podcast, “Fly on the Wall,” host David Spade revealed that Hawk was initially hired to double for him in scenes with complex skate tricks. Unfortunately, there was a major setback. Hawk experienced a growth spurt between the time of his audition and the beginning of filming, leading the director to question his suitability for the role. Despite his impressive skating abilities, Hawk was ultimately dismissed as Spade’s stunt double due to his height.
Stacy Peralta, the second unit director for skateboarding, attempted to salvage the situation by advising Hawk to skate in a lower position. However, this proved to be an insurmountable challenge for Hawk. Despite his best efforts, the directors quietly sent him home, effectively terminating his role. The decision to replace Hawk with skater Chris Miller only compounded the problem, as Miller skate with the opposite stance to Spade, leading to numerous continuity errors.
Though Hawk was unsuccessful in his bid to become Spade’s double, he was given a small opportunity to make a cameo appearance in the film. Spade explained that, as an experienced skater himself, he believed he could perform one of the stunts which involved jumping five steps. However, the outcome was far from successful. Spade wiped out during the first steps, causing a chain reaction of falls from the other skaters. In contrast, Hawk managed to successfully complete the stunt, showcasing his exceptional skill and resilience.
Despite the disappointment of being fired, Hawk’s experience on the set of “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol” taught him valuable lessons about the world of Hollywood stunt work. During the podcast, Hawk shared that he learned about “stunt bumps” – a tactic where performers pretend that certain actions are more challenging than they are, in order to receive additional compensation. This newfound knowledge shed light on the behind-the-scenes practices of the industry, opening Hawk’s eyes to the nuances and strategies employed by actors and stunt doubles.
Although his role as a stunt double may not have come to fruition, Hawk did not leave the set of “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol” empty-handed. He was given a credit in the movie as “Skateboarder,” recognizing his contribution to the production, albeit in a different capacity. While it may not have been the outcome he had hoped for, Hawk’s name forever remains associated with the film, serving as a reminder of the internal trials and tribulations that often go unnoticed by the audience.
Tony Hawk’s brief stint as David Spade’s stunt double in “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol” was far from successful. Height discrepancies, continuity errors, and a failed stunt attempt left Hawk ousted from the role. However, the experience taught him valuable lessons about the world of Hollywood and its reliance on clever work-around tactics. Despite being replaced, Hawk’s contribution was recognized with a credit in the film. This behind-the-scenes tale serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated figures in their respective fields can face unexpected challenges and setbacks.