Jerry Hsu
A skateboarder who turned street-level creativity into a multifaceted career as a photographer and brand owner.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American skateboarder, photographer, and company owner·Birthday: December 17·Millennials
Biography
Jerry Hsu emerged from San Jose's skate scene in the late 1990s, known for a raw, powerful style that seemed to defy physics on handrails and ledges. His skating for companies like Enjoi was only one facet of his creativity. He carried the same off-kilter perspective into photography, capturing the gritty, humorous, and surreal moments of skate life and beyond with a distinctive eye. This artistic drive culminated in Sci-Fi Fantasy, the company he founded, which operates as a direct conduit for his eclectic vision, merging apparel, skate hardware, and graphic art. Hsu represents a modern archetype: the skater who successfully channels a subculture's ethos into a sustainable, self-directed creative enterprise.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jerry was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jerry Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jerry's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year award in 2006.
- Founded and operates the independent skate company and brand Sci-Fi Fantasy.
- Has published multiple photography books showcasing his distinct visual style.
- Maintained a professional skateboarding career for over two decades with notable video parts.
Did You Know?
He is a trained classical pianist.
His photography has been exhibited in galleries internationally.
He once skated a famously dangerous gap at San Francisco's Hubba Hideout, a spot known for its extreme risk.
“Skateboarding isn't a sport; it's a way to interact with the city.”
