Harold Hunter

Harold Hunter (April 2, 1974 – February 17, 2006), from New York City, was an American professional skateboarder and actor. He was best known on screen for his part in Larry Clark's controversial 1995 film "Kids", playing the role of Harold [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402833/ Harold Hunter] at the Internet Movie Database] . He was featured in a skateboarding TV show on the Fuel channel, called Skate Maps. He was also featured in the video for Joan Osbourne's "One of Us".

Life

Harold grew up in the East Village and became associated with a local skate crew that hung out near Tompkins Square Park. Always "on," Harold was one of the crew's funniest members. His uncommon skating power, raw speed and poise made him a standout. His first press appeared in 1989 in a Thrasher (magazine) photo essay about the New York City skateboard scene. He was a prominent member of a growing number of New York skateboard pros including: Jeff Pang, Steve Cales, Jeremy Henderson, Dave Ortiz, the Shut Skates crew and Joe Humeres. They skated at: the Brooklyn Banks (a curved brick park adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge offramp near Wall St.); Union Square; and Lafayette & Broadway.

As a skateboarder, Hunter was sponsored most notably by Zoo York. [ [http://skateboarddirectory.com/articles/673596_harold_hunter_zoo_york.html SkateboardDirectory.com: News : Harold Hunter, Zoo York Skateboard Pro, Dies at 31 ] ] He also owned Rock Star Bearings Co. He skated goofy-footed, and some of his favorite skateboarding tricks included the Backside Heel, 360 Ollie, Nollie Heel, Feeble Grind, and the Switch Crooked Grind.

Hunter was also featured in an episode of TLC show Miami Ink, in which he had an image of the World Trade Center with the words "New York City" and "Sk8 Or Die" tattooed on his arm. [ [http://tattoo.about.com/od/tattoosgeneralinfo/a/miamiink040406.htm Miami Ink Synopsis - April 4, 2006 - Goodbye Freedom ] ]

Death

Sometime around 4 p.m. EST, Friday, February 17, 2006, Harold Hunter's brother discovered him in his Lower East Side apartment, dead from an apparent cocaine overdose. Police investigators later stated that cocaine was found both adjacent to and on the body. He was 31 years old. Actress Rosario Dawson posted a remembrance for Harold at the Rockstar Bearings website. [ [http://www.rockstarbearings.com/hh.html ROCKSTAR - Harold Hunter ] ]

Harold Hunter's name is also remembered in dedication, tagged above the mini ramp of [KCDC] Skateshop in Brooklyn.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.splay.com/harold splay.com/harold] Official Memorial
* [http://www.threeayedee.com Threeayedee Art Gallery.] Graphiti art gallery/skate team. Founded by Roya Butler, in loving memory of Harold Hunter, (All profits donated to the Harold Hunter foundation)
* [http://www.haroldhunter.com HaroldHunter.com] Official Website
*imdb name|id=0402833|title=Harold Hunter
* [http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2006/02/18/kids_film_skater_found_dead_of_overdose/ UPI report of Hunter's death]
* [http://www.nostatus.com/life/02-2006/harold-hunter-rip/ Harold Hunter RIP]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/25/nyregion/25hunter.html Obituary in "The New York Times"]
* [http://www.myspace.com/haroldhunter Harold Hunter's MySpace] (still being run by his good friend)