FBAC: What gave you the idea to hitchhike ‘round Ireland with a fridge?
Tony Hawks: It was the first time I was in Ireland and I was getting a lift in this car and we passed an old guy on the side of the road who was hitching with a fridge. It struck me as very strange. I remember recounting what I’d seen a few weeks later with some friends in a pub back home in Brighton (England) and saying that if there was one country where you could hitchhike with a fridge, it was Ireland. That’s what sparked a friend to bet me 100 pounds it couldn’t be done.
FBAC: You obviously have never been to Trenton, NJ before have you?
TH: I didn’t know Trenton was a country?
FBAC: Tourist. Where in Ireland did you travel with the fridge?
TH: Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Wexford, and Waterford.
FBAC: My mother collects Waterford.
TH: I think every mother collects Waterford.
FBAC: Enough about Moms. How did the people of Ireland receive you?
TH: I don’t think the world would have noticed had it not been for one Gerry Ryan of RTE Radio. Gerry got to hear about what I was doing and had me on the show one morning. Then I started ringing in every day. Pretty soon I was “The Fridge Man” and the whole country was offering me lifts.
FBAC: Yeah that wouldn’t have happened in Trenton. So how did you go about writing the book?
TH: Very disciplined. I worked 6 days a week for at least six months straight.
FBAC: Thank God for DVR. The book “Round Ireland With A Fridge” was an international best seller. Why do you think it became such a success?
TH: It makes people laugh. The Irish response was silly and inspired. And I think it appeals to people’s desires to escape from the mundane aspects of life.
FBAC: I’m sorry. I wasn’t listening. I was thinking about hitchhiking through Ireland. So now it’s a movie and you star in it. I heard it was between you and Brendan Fraser.
TH: It wasn’t between me and Brendan Fraser. It was his part to be had but the financial package fell through in the end.
FBAC: So in a sense, casting you saved money.
TH: I’m sorry…who are you again?
FBAC: You are not Irish but the film is Irish in nature. Do you promote this as an Irish film?
TH: Yes, because the story is Irish and only could have happened there. Nowhere else in the world. The cast is predominantly Irish. Co-stars Michael Redmond, Valerie O’Connor, Ed Byrne, Sean Hughes…all Irish. So yes this is an Irish film.
FBAC: I sense ‘tude. Next question: How does the film differ from the book?
TH: It probably has a better “shape” and tells the story of a “lost man finding himself” a little better.
FBAC: What’s next for Tony Hawks? Any new bets in the near future?
TH: I am in the process of making a feature of my second book, Playing The Moldovans At Tennis. No plans for further bets.
FBAC: Finally, how many people mistake you for Tony Hawk the pro skater?
TH: Only you.
Tony will be available live via SKYPE from London following the screening of "Round Ireland With A Fridge" to answer your questions.
For tickets for the March 11th exclusive event go to FBAC on Facebook or to www.FreeholdBoroughArtsCouncil.blogspot.com.Tweet
