Christian Hosoi is an American professional skateboarder and actor from Venice, California. He is considered one of the most influential skateboarders of the 1980s and 1990s and is often referred to as the "King of Vert". Hosoi rose to fame in the early 1980s, winning numerous skateboarding competitions and becoming a popular figure within the skateboarding community.
Hosoi's professional skateboarding career began in 1982 when he was sponsored by Powell Peralta. He quickly rose to fame as one of the top skateboarders of the decade, winning several major contests and appearing in numerous skateboarding videos. Hosoi was renowned for his aggressive style, incredible vert skills, and daring tricks. He also helped to popularize the "Christ Air" trick, which involves performing an ollie off a vertical ramp while holding a crucifix.
In the late 1980s, Hosoi's career began to take a turn for the worse. In 1989, he was arrested for drug possession and was sentenced to three years in prison. Following his release, Hosoi still had difficulty finding his place in the skateboarding world. He was eventually accepted into the Skateboard Hall of Fame in 2003, and he has since become a popular figure in the skateboarding community again.
In addition to his professional skateboarding career, Hosoi has also made appearances in several films, including Gleaming the Cube, Thrashin', and Gleaming the Cube: The Skateboard Movie. He has also appeared in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.
In recent years, Hosoi has become increasingly involved in philanthropic work. He founded the Hosoi Skateboard Ministry, which is dedicated to helping troubled youth and is active in several skateboarding-related charities. He also works with the Skateboarding Hall of Fame to help preserve the history of the sport.
Christian Hosoi is a legendary figure in the skateboarding community who has had a profound impact on the sport. His incredible talent and daring tricks have inspired generations of skateboarders and helped to popularize the sport. He is an example of someone who has persevered through adversity and still found success in his chosen field.
