It is not unusual for actors to be dismissed from movie projects, often due to various reasons such as inappropriate behavior, sudden changes in scheduling, or different visions for casting. A notable example is Eric Stoltz, who was removed from the iconic film Back to the Future after just a few weeks of filming. Similarly, action legend Jean-Claude Van Damme was let go from the lead role in Predator. In a quirky turn of events, David Spade, who would later rise to fame on Saturday Night Live, found himself in a unique situation during his debut in the Police Academy franchise, where he was initially supported by a talented skateboarding stunt double, Tony Hawk. However, circumstances led to Hawk’s unexpected dismissal from the production.

Discover David Spade’s Breakthrough in ‘Police Academy 4’

Released in the spring of 1987, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol stands out as a notable entry in the comedy franchise known for its lowbrow humor and sight gags. The franchise began with the original Police Academy, released in 1984, which combined elements of Stripes and An Officer and a Gentlemen, surprising Hollywood by becoming one of the year’s top earners at the box office. Following this success, the series quickly shifted to a more family-friendly format with Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment in 1985, turning into a guilty pleasure aimed at younger audiences, complete with an animated series and a line of toys. Although the fourth installment is often viewed as a low point for the franchise, it provided a significant opportunity for both Spade and Hawk to demonstrate their unique talents to a broader audience.

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At the time of filming, Spade was a 22-year-old college dropout who had relocated from Arizona to California with aspirations of pursuing a career in stand-up comedy during the mid-1980s. While performing regularly at the famous L.A. venue, The Improv, he was cast as Kyle Rumford, a teenage delinquent and skateboarder in the fourth installment of the Police Academy films. The storyline revolves around Commandant Eric Lassard, portrayed by George Gaynes, who initiates a community policing initiative titled “Citizens On Patrol” (C.O.P.). The narrative follows academy graduates, led by the charismatic Sgt. Carey Mahoney, played by Steve Guttenberg, as they embark on a mission to recruit civilian volunteers for this program. Their journey leads them to encounter Kyle and his friend Arnie, portrayed by Brian Backer from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, who find themselves in trouble for skateboarding in a shopping mall, resulting in an encounter with the strict Captain Harris, played by G.W. Bailey. Just as they face potential legal consequences, Mahoney steps in to mentor Kyle and Arnie, guiding them into the program to avoid severe penalties.

Neither Spade nor Backer possessed substantial skateboarding experience necessary to execute the film’s demanding two-and-a-half-minute sequence effectively. Enter Tony Hawk, also known as Anthony Frank Hawk, who was just 17 at the time but already a renowned skateboarding prodigy, having turned professional at the age of 14. His remarkable skills had previously been showcased in a 1981 episode of Captain Kangaroo, and he had even landed a role as a “Pool Skater” in the skateboard-centric film Thrashin’, which starred a young Josh Brolin, who gained fame in The Goonies. During a 2023 episode of Spade’s podcast, Fly on the Wall, Hawk recounted his experience auditioning for a speaking role in Citizens on Patrol. Although he did not secure the part he initially aimed for, the producers were so impressed with his skateboarding abilities that they decided to hire him as Spade’s stunt double. The fact that both Spade and Hawk were goofy-footed—meaning they stood with their right foot in front—was crucial in convincing audiences that Spade’s character was a highly skilled skateboarder.

Why Tony Hawk Was Too Tall to Be David Spade’s Stunt Double

Tony Hawk was brought on board alongside members of the renowned Bones Brigade, led by the legendary skateboarder Stacy Peralta, who also took on the role of second unit director for Citizens on Patrol. The elaborate skateboarding sequence depicted Kyle, Arnie, and their crew, played by the Bones Brigade skaters, as they rode through the streets during the night, with a pit stop at the shopping mall. Set to the upbeat track “Shoot For the Top” by Southern Pacific, the sequence bursts with vibrant visuals, showcasing the characters executing spectacular jumps and tricks off ledges. The combination of stunts, dynamic handheld camerawork, and an MTV-style edit solidified this sequence as the most expertly crafted moment in any of the Police Academy sequels.

If circumstances had aligned favorably, Citizens on Patrol could have marked a significant breakthrough for Hawk in the film industry. However, time was against him as the skateboard sequence was set to be shot in Toronto. At the time of filming, Hawk was nearing 18 years of age when production began in 1986 and experienced a substantial growth spurt, reaching 6’2”, which made him noticeably taller than Spade, who stood at 5’7”. Hawk recalled that this height difference posed a challenge for director Jim Drake, who was impressed by Hawk’s impressive skateboarding skills on camera, but ultimately felt that the disparity in physical appearance was too distracting. Efforts were made by Peralta to encourage Hawk to adjust his stance to better match Spade’s height, but ultimately, despite his dedication, Hawk was let go from the production.

Uncovering Tony Hawk’s Role in ‘Police Academy 4’

Director Jim Drake subsequently replaced Hawk with another skateboard professional, Chris Miller, the founder of the Planet Earth skateboarding company. While Miller bore a closer physical resemblance to Spade, his skills on the skateboard did not match Hawk’s. Hawk noted that this created complications throughout the filming, as Miller was a regular-footed skateboarder, while Spade was goofy-footed, resulting in inconsistencies in stance and movement. Nevertheless, Hawk did manage to secure a spot in the final cut of the film for a brief moment where Spade’s character needed to jump several steps on the skateboard. After Spade struggled to perform this stunt adequately in one take, Peralta stepped in and seamlessly replaced Spade with Hawk, allowing the professional skateboarder to execute the trick effortlessly.

Shortly after his experience with Police Academy 4, Hawk landed another film role in a different skateboard-centric project titled Gleaming the Cube, which starred Christian Slater. Despite this setback, Hawk’s reputation in the skateboarding community soared during the 1990s as he pioneered the groundbreaking “900” landing trick. Moreover, he became a household name through his highly successful video game series, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, which has launched over 20 titles since its debut in 1999. Although Police Academy 4 might have been a disappointing chapter in his early career, Hawk’s resilience and talent ultimately triumphed over the challenges faced in the industry, while the Police Academy franchise remains a mixture of love and disdain among audiences.

Police Academy 4 is available for rent on Prime Video in the U.S.

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Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol

Release Date

April 2, 1987

Director

Jim Drake

Cast

Bubba Smith , Steve Guttenberg , Michael Winslow , David Graf , Tim Kazurinsky , Sharon Stone , Leslie Easterbrook , Marion Ramsey , Lance Kinsey , G.W. Bailey , Bobcat Goldthwait , George Gaynes , Derek McGrath , Scott Thomson , Billie Bird , George R. Robertson , Brian Tochi , Brian Backer , David Spade , Tab Thacker , Corinne Bohrer , Randall “Tex” Cobb , Michael McManus , Colleen Camp , Andrew Paris

Runtime

88 minutes

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