Paul Rodriguez

(image via Plan B skateboards)

Paul Rodriguez, aka P-Rod, has kicked, pushed and flipped his way to two consecutive X-Games gold medals, a lucrative contract with Nike, and appearances in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video games – but don’t expect to see him doing stand-up anytime soon.

The 22-year-old California native, son of comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez, could have followed in his famous father’s footsteps, but became a pre-teen skateboarding prodigy instead, mixing natural talent with a knack for switch-stance tricks that belied his young age. Even during his days as an amateur with DNA and City Stars skateboards, Rodriguez was highly regarded for his effortless style. In 2002, after years of being called a “golden child,” Rodriguez turned pro with Girl skateboards. The Torrance, California based company added P-Rod to a talented stable of skaters that included Eric Koston, Rick Howard and Mike Carroll.

Two years later, Nike signed the youthful and charismatic P-Rod to a multi-year endorsement deal – rumored to be in the millions – prompting many purists to brand him a sellout. Rodriguez, however, says he was more concerned with securing his future – without the help of his father – than developing his street cred. “Growing up, I didn’t want to be 30 or 40 years old and realizing my whole career was made from someone else doing it for me.” Rodriguez was the first Nike team member to receive a signature shoe, the Paul Rodriguez Air Zoom. Over 20 colorways of the shoe have been released.

In recent years, P-Rod has moved to Plan B skateboards, collected a second X-Games gold medal, and taken up acting. He appears in two movies scheduled for release later this year. Perhaps the ultimate testament to his success as a skateboarder: you can now be P-Rod in Tony Hawk’s Project 8, his third appearance in the popular video game series.