Mark Gonzales

Mark Gonzales, born on June 1, 1968, and known as Gonz, the Gonz and the Godfather, is an American professional skateboarder and artist. Born in South Gate, California, of Irish and Mexican descent, he first skated at the age of eight on his cousin's board and entered the skateboarding scene at thirteen. He is credited as a pioneer of modern street skating, carrying freestyle and vert tricks into the street alongside Natas Kaupas, and the two are credited with the first known boardslides on a handrail. In December 2011 Transworld Skateboarding named him the Most Influential Skateboarder of All Time, placing him ahead of Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen.