Harold Hunter in the New York Times

Harold Hunter, whose skateboarding prowess and outsize personality led him to modeling{nl}and movie roles, celebrity friendships and prominence in the downtown{nl}Manhattan scene, was found dead on Feb. 17 in the East Village housing{nl}project where he grew up. He was 31.{nl}Mr. Hunter grew up on the same block as the actress Rosario Dawson.{nl}When she was 15, he helped persuade the director of “Kids,” Larry{nl}Clark, to cast her in the movie, Ms. Dawson recalled on Thursday at Mr.{nl}Hunter’s wake on the Lower East Side.{nl}”Harold’s skateboard was just a vehicle,” she said, adding: “He became{nl}famous for his personality and his spirit. If anybody came to New York,{nl}he would take them in and show them the city.”{nl}”I saw some skate kids when I was in Brazil,” she said. “When they heard I was from New York, they said: ‘New York? Do you know Harold? ‘ “{nl}Mr. Hunter was laid out in a coffin wearing his silver Nike sneakers, and with him were his trademark black fedora and a skateboard.[ SOURCE ]