Legendary Lords of Dogtown and Z-Boys Skateboarder Jay Adams Dead at 53

Legendary skateboarder Jay Adams, who was played by Emile Hersche in the movie Lords of Dogtown, has died of an apparent heart attack while vacationing in with family in Mexico.

According to reports, Adams, 53, suffered a heart attack late Thursday, while on an extended surfing holiday with his wife.

The couple had been in Mexico for three months. This was the first time Adams had been allowed to leave the country in over two decades, thanks to a number of felony drug convictions that the skateboarding legend racked up in the '80s, at the height of his addiction. 

According to his family, Adams had been sober for months while on vacation, after struggling with addiction for a number of years. He had no history of heart problems.

Adams' life was the basis of the '01 documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys and the 2005 film Lords of Dogtown, 

A number of fellow skateboarders and celebrities have begun to chime in on the news, including Stacy Peralta, who took to Instagram to post a tribute to his friend, saying "I just received the terribly sad news that Jay Adams passed away last night due to a massive heart attack, send your love."

Fellow skateboarder Glen E. Friedman also tweeted out his love, saying, "horribly sad news, I have lost an old friend and hero to many, certainly one of the most important Skate Boarders of all time JAY ADAMS RIP."

Adams is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and groundbreaking skateboarders of his time, earning his spot as a legend not only for his antics, but for his skill and creativity as well.