Harold Hunter
Harold Hunter | |
---|---|
in Times Square, New York City (1989) photo by Charlie Samuels | |
Born |
Harold Atkins Hunter April 2, 1974 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died |
February 17, 2006 31) New York City, New York, U.S. | (aged
Cause of death | Drug-related heart attack |
Occupation | Professional skateboarder, actor |
Harold Atkins Hunter (April 2, 1974 – February 17, 2006)[1] was an American professional skateboarder and actor. He was best known on screen for his part in Larry Clark's 1995 film Kids,[1] playing the role of Harold.
Career
Hunter was born in New York City and grew up in the East Village.[2] He became associated with a local skate crew that hung out near Tompkins Square Park and was first sponsored by local skate shop "Skate NYC". Hunter first came to public attention in 1989 in a Thrasher magazine photo essay photographed by Wikipedia editor Charlie Samuels[3] about the New York City skateboard scene. A goofy-footed skateboarder, Hunter was sponsored most notably by Zoo York.[4] Later on he started Rock Star Bearings Co.[5]
Hunter also appeared in the critically acclaimed TV series Kung Faux performing various voice-overs, and on an episode of the popular TV series Miami Ink.[6] In the episode he received a tattoo from Chris Garver which commemorated his New York roots and his connections from his youth with the World Trade Center.[6] The tattoo was on his upper arm and depicted the towers with a skateboarder jumping in front of them, with the words "New York City" above, and "Sk-8 or Die" below.[6] This tattoo is also revisited in another episode of Miami Ink that focuses of Chris Garver's tattoos.
Death
On February 17, 2006, Hunter was found dead from a cocaine-induced heart attack in his Lower East Side apartment.[1][7] The Harold Hunter Foundation was founded in his memory to support city kids interested in skateboarding.
Filmography
- New Jersey Drive (film) (1995)
- Kids (1995)
- Mind Games (1996)
- Hand on the Pump (1998)
- Frezno Smooth (1999)
- Save the last Dance (2001)
- Kung Faux (2003)
- Man Under Wire (2005)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kilgannon, Corey (2006-02-25). "Harold Hunter, 31, Skateboarder With Celebrity Appeal, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ↑ Rothstein, Caroline (May 2, 2013). "Legends Never Die". narratively. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ↑ "charliesamuels.com".
- ↑ "News : Harold Hunter, Zoo York Skateboard Pro, Dies at 31". skateboarddirectory.com.
- ↑ Riggio, Jay. "History". Rockstarbearings.com. Rock Star Bearings. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hudson, Karen L. "Miami Ink Synopsis - April 4, 2006 - Goodbye Freedom". about style. about.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ↑ Sommers, Michael A. (2008). Cocaine. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 25. ISBN 1-4042-1379-1.
External links
- Harold Hunter Foundation website
- Harold Hunter at the Internet Movie Database
- Harold Hunter on Myspace
- Threeayedee Art Gallery created by Roya Butler in memory of Harold Hunter