The Skate Legend Who Escaped Death & Saved Thrasher: Don 'Nuge' Nguyen | Epicly Later'd

Epicly Later’d returns with a brand new season. On this premiere episode we sit down with Don ‘Nuge’ Nguyen to learn about his origins in Oklahoma, his move to California, and why Nuge is considered not only a legend but an all around hero.
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00:00 Introduction
05:28 Nuge Ollie's El Toro
08:44 Nuge Joins Foundation
12:20 Baker Signs Nuge
14:50 Nuge Bombs Baxter Hill
19:49 Nuge Saves Thrasher
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[@VICE]

WATCH NEXT: How Stefan Janoski Became the World's Most Successful Skater - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpTNnZyVpLZ2Y9U

[@nathansestack3258]

lame

[@RollForever88]

Can’t be many better things in life than a 30 minute video memorializing your achievements, full of kind words and high praise from all your closest friends. Perhaps that’s the real meaning behind this series, years on from now.

[@BigDawgDR]

^ agreed. Respect from your peers is priceless, and what a cool tribute to a career to hear these stories.

[@PushingDownDaisys]

It definitely is. I remember some of the earlier episodes thinking "Epicly Later'd" and where they were was like a send off out of fame or something. What it really is, is going back and giving homage to people in the early days who really helped things along to where they are now, people who were solid and got it done. Perhaps that one of the greater meanings behind life, and not just this series.

[@Mr-Spork]

Totally. To hell with becoming famous... If you can get love & respect from your friends, that's what counts. Loved this story.

[@ink70162]

Agree

[@natekapi]

This is one of the best comments I’ve read on the internet in a long time. Completely agree. 👌

[@ErickKhan]

Every once in a while Vice makes a HIT and reminds us they're still around

[@liammurphy6576]

wassup erick

[@teal80]

Facts!!

[@nxctual9779]

AINT NO WAY ERICK UP IN HERE BRO WASSUPP MFFF

[@blur_710]

Ayooo smoke one!

[@teal80]

@@nxctual9779 How I felt too was like "Tf nih" 😂🤙🏽💫🚀🔮⏳ KeepPushinOthersMaaaane:)! ! ERBODY PUSH ERBODY. From now on we doin good😂🙌🏽

[@standaman6279]

The way he was so "whatever" about El Toro and then nails it first try with a little shrug after is so legendary.

[@artemface]

This blew me away when I saw it

[@quackapatth]

so humble its wild

[@skippyskater]

When Nuge came to our local indoor (monster skatepark) for a demo when we were around 14 he was like "Why aren't you guys skating? come on guys skate with us!" It went from a demo to just this awesome vibe where they were cheering on locals instead of us cheering them on. He was just so hyped on getting everyone to skate it was dope.

[@Elhastezy888]

Love This Post Really conveys what we just saw is what you get 🤍

[@emmakate2337]

Foundation demo in Homebush?

[@skippyskater]

Yep thats the one! @@emmakate2337

[@stilton946]

Imagine being nuge and having all your friends call you a winner and the best… Be like nuge

[@stevenkoudanis5238]

my 2024 goal lol Nuge is the man

[@JesterCoffeepot]

A Real Life Super Hero

[@rickeykoga2312]

And a hero - if he went right at that turn, we would've lost a lot of skateboard history right there

[@dreammule]

"Imagine being nude and having all your friends claw at your weiner and your breast.."

[@simonbellmont]

Nah mane…..he’s a heRO 😅

[@vagpounder5614]

As an Asian refugee skater kid growing up in America, Don Nuge was and still is such an inspiration to someone like me. I hope he knows how many Asian skaters look up to him.

[@manuelramos4509]

I'm a skater from the middle of the 80's and early 90's., Let me just say that Asian friends are the most sincere and insanely good skateboarders. I grew up in Korea town Los Angeles. Great times....

[@eat-your-food684]

Daewon song👑

[@slotho122]

@@Repent-and-believe-in-Jesusdo you have nothing better to do?

[@philbert3333]

@@Repent-and-believe-in-Jesus not the place where you'll successfully convert people mate

[@hyperreal]

@@Repent-and-believe-in-Jesusnice cult bro

[@ElShotte]

"Yo Lizard, it's Rodent, I'm with Cricket". 🤣🤣

[@b1gcuh183]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jblue88hoodgamer54]

I know right that had me Laughing L😂L .

[@AaronBraddy]

It be like that tho with ya boys right?

[@crabPEOPLE2000]

“Tino was coaching him at the top” Tino: “Don’t fucking do this fucking hill”

[@gregb1037]

Take notes kids. Be more like Nuge. Mad respect for this guy.

[@BAndres1]

Nuge is huge risk taker. The way he handles the skate board and van without brakes. Takes all the impact on his side of the van. This man has a big heart😊

[@NghiaLongds]

I met the Thrasher team with Nuge & Phelps in Saigon, Vietnam back to 2018 that night still a best moment of my life 🙏💚

[@sewerside2148]

The staff cracked the shits at the dudes too wasted and cancelled the show early haha

[@VICE]

More new Epicly Later'd episodes coming soon

[@MFSHECKS]

Thank god 🙌🏼🔥

[@johnfodo4129]

F@#$ yeah 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@neal4601]

Nice! Now do King of the road.

[@modestomouso1234]

About damn time! Would love to see one on Maldonado, and Kerry Getz

[@sunnyside9273]

Right on

[@HELLASSIK]

True story. I was in a random spot in Houston and nuge and some pros walked up where we were. My friend Tommy’s fav skater is nuge. This was like 2006 had a flip phone. Called Tommy told him who walked up and handed the phone to nuge and he talked to my friend for a bit super chill about it not annoyed and we all talked for a min. Hella cool dude and a sick skater

[@nicktorres4044]

Only 25 but been skating for 11 years now and since day 1 I’ve known Nuge as a legend

[@Pootie_Tang]

Ukrainian here, almost 20 years ago I had a poster of Don on a wall in my room, he was one of my favourite skaters, truly a living legend, master, sportsman, artist

[@DankyDankerson69]

Awesome Epicly Laterd is back, so nostalgic after all these years. No one has captured the history and stories of skateboarding like Patrick has, keep it going !

[@n00dles79]

This was really inspiring. From $1000 in Oklahoma to being one of the most talented skateboarders with an extremely positive outlook and vibe. Super chill energy would love to have been around him coming up. Absolute legend Don Nguyen

[@SnowWhite717_]

I feel you Nuge… I’m Japanese and was raised in Dale County Alabama in the 70s 😅 I wasn’t Black, I wasn’t White and back then there weren’t ANY Asians in my town except my mom and me. I had to fight my way home every day for a while, then I got meaner than a junkyard dog and no one would mess with me after that. The thing I have in common with him is that it made us have thick skin and gave us that extra drive, that need to show others that we’re just as good (if not better 😂) confidence, and communication. I think I’m better for having been raised in an adversarial environment honestly. Adversity can make you grow ❤

[@smelltheglove2038]

I’m a white guy, skater, got harassed by jocks. It wasn’t a racist thing. It was a jock thing.

[@obrizzly]

@@smelltheglove2038yeah agreed jocks do tend to be racist especially in places like Oklahoma. Not the brightest of the bunch.

[@smelltheglove2038]

@@obrizzly no they don’t. I live in Philly. Guess who the most bigoted people are?

[@mr.christopher79]

​@@obrizzlyyou obviously dont know anything about oklahoma or okc

[@mr.christopher79]

​@@smelltheglove2038lol everyone knows but few want to admit it

[@touhey]

Well deserved episode to one of my earliest best friends in life. You’re one of the skate goats that made what skateboarding is today possible. Love you brother!!

[@kleankars]

Thank You!! This Show is so Important. People, Origins, Legends and Hero's can dull in the memory from this world of over stimulation and over saturation. Seeing What Makes the Man, and Now Knowing What That Man Has Made... Is EVERYTHING!!!

[@juliennorth4431]

Dude Epicly latered is actually back this has been the only warm thing I’ve experienced this winter, and for it to be Nuge is just that much sweeter

[@MadeHerMoan]

S/O Oklahomies! Oklahoma City native, I loved watching Nuge skate. Met him, talked about skating and how he was on Foundation. He literally is a hero for real

[@DenimDanger-mf7yl]

Fr ppl outside Oklahoma don’t even know about TDS and how big those videos were here with Muska etc. dudes a legend

[@GHOSTBGA]

TDS!! I had a T-shirt growing up my buddy Gabe gave me, those guys were legendary

[@mr.christopher79]

shout out to bj, micah, gabe, robbie, louis, adon, dillon, debobby, brendan and that crazy bisch denise lol

[@bernardthomas6232]

This is the first epic'ly latered that felt was Important. I remember Nuge from a photo where he did longest kickflip and from 411vm 47 chaos section. Thank you for sharing his story!!

[@kellnworldpeace]

I'm an OKC native, don't skate, and Nuge needs to be in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. What a dude.

[@CleverAccountName303]

But Oklahoma contributed nothing to his success

[@Leafonacloud]

I officially proclaime Nuge ! The skateboard saint he watches our back when no one has it

[@irregularhunterj8014]

Some mexican dude who owned a restaurant down San Diego had a candle with the Nuge's picture, I asked if it was for sale, he said no. lol I thought that was sick.

[@boogityhoo7452]

​​@@irregularhunterj8014you being serious or going along with the original joke? I legit can't tell. Lmao

[@irregularhunterj8014]

no bro, I swear lol I was eating some birria and noticed that the "Jesus" illustration on the glass looked a bit off, I looked closely and it was the Nuge. @boogityhoo7452 @@boogityhoo7452

[@mikeygalik]

What a legend! Thank you Vice for making new episodes and huge shout out to Vietnamese people, they are one of the most hard-working individuals I know...

[@VolcomWolf]

his part in Cataclysmic Abyss got me through 2 weeks in the hospital as a kid. I will always and forever remember his part. Kept me sane and hyped me up so much to get back on the board once I was out. Thank you Don for being the best dude!

[@timothyamos-wx8ch]

Nudge was one of my FAVORITE skaters growing up along with Corey duffel and Chris Cole. Hell yeah

[@OmegaRedLotus619]

High key choked up that he put himself first to take on that impact of the crash so the homies didn’t have to….he really took that on 🥹 the awesomeness of him for sure but the humanity within him is inspiring. MashaAllah

[@jadewinslow7818]

That's what I do like about skating and these videos is that you never know when you might just land that legendary shot. Its going to exist ..... forever!

[@aidanwedge1]

So happy these are back. These literally provide so much inspiration to my own videos. Shots and editing was amazing

[@CommonSense970]

This dude had such a rad part in the "Hollywood Skateboards" video! So stoked to watch this episode of Epicly Later'd

[@GettingHyphy]

Knew his skating but never knew how wicked Nuge is. Got emotional with the comeback of Epicly Later'd and Nuge being such a legend

[@ianfacerollsyou]

Nuge's life is huge inspiration! Great way to get motivated for the new year! also how he got his nickname is hilarious, I had a childhood friend with the same last name and nobody pronounced it correctly, felt like I was always correcting people for him cause he had just given up lol

[@MeepsNcheese]

Thanks for trying anyway! If people can learn how to pronounce Tchaikovsky and Chalamet, the least people can do is learn Nguyen too. You're a good friend

[@AB-dm5ft]

Apart from all his accomplishments i am amazed by his personality he seems like someone who makes u forget about all of your problems once he comes around what a nice guy

[@xitsox]

Great start of the year, i am so glad Epicly Later'd is back! Hell yeah, Nuge, great story, i didn't know this about the van crash, it is horrific. What a super hero!

[@kevincastellanos538]

Nuge was one of the first pro skaters I met when I was a kid. He was super down to earth! Glad to see he is succesful in other areas besides skateboarding.

[@jadewinslow7818]

Both equally noble achievements

[@user-id4bz5qh6e]

Great way to kick off the new year. This series has been soooo good from the start, easily my favorite out of all Vice programming. Would be tragic not to keep the momentum going with all the insane archives of handycam footage yall got in the vaults!

[@jessedampolo]

Great episode! It's so great to have this show back. Particularly love the phrase "Life Hammers".

[@insculldrew]

That Baxter Street bomb was insane! Glad you held the line after getting a little squirrely over those bumps, your awe-struck face at the end says it all!

[@hands_on_lanzon]

Props to the editing of the different perspectives of the story! So good!!

[@BrandonHanson]

Even if Christmas was a week ago. This is a gift that keeps on giving. This guy was so deserving of this. A true legend and someone who will make you get out and shred before his video part is even finished.

[@crescokidful]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for posting this

[@billythekidd-go3hv]

I’ve always kinda overlooked him but after seeing this I have a whole new appreciation for this man. Really enjoyed this episode. 🤙

[@isolation138308]

What a way to start off 2024! I didn’t want this episode to stop

[@oduttagupta]

Can’t believe Patrick O Dell is back producing Epicly Later’d! Super grateful

[@movefilmsinc]

videos like this remind me how much I appreciate VICE…. couldn’t have made a more perfect piece about Nuge and in the process opens the doors of inspiration to this icon to an even wider and diverse audience watching this.

[@razzledazzle2694]

I don't even skate but each of these videos are so inspiring and so fucking rad to watch. The van incident is CRAZY to say the least. Looking forward to the new episodes!!

[@nitrospice1222]

Nuge was a huge inspiration growing up. I watched his cataclysmic abyss part easily 100 times cause it was the only skate dvd i had. I only wish that he put out more footage with baker.

[@enbusquedadeperlita3133]

Thank you. Love these follow ups and peeks into their personal lives. Greatly appreciated ❤😊

[@loicbataillou8529]

Very inspiring, thank you for posting History ! We all seen all the videos thousands of times. But to know the back scene. Much love

[@dcQ23]

This is such a sick video. I feel like I missed out on a lot of culture by not being a skater back in the day. Thanks for making this.

[@MisterMisterStudio]

that was so beautiful to see all his friends talk about him like that, really great video yo!

[@johnnyjpg]

Epicly laters just always give me the chills. Thanks so much vice for producing these still.

[@JJAnselmi]

The perfect person to kick off a new round of these. Very inspiring just as a human!

[@canicule9797]

The big Nuge shows what a hustle Vietnamese is to be, gorgeous and professional, well deserved ❤

[@EclecticWizard6]

Well deserved episode for a legendary skater! Stoked the series is back!

[@slaqur]

Nuge my long lost brother from another mother, you're my hero. im ashamed that it took me so long to discover you but better late than never, keep rockin it, you continuing to be inspiring to us all if i may say so myself.

[@stephanw1034]

THANK YOU! So stoked! All the skating so sick but I was so pumped to see Nuge in a Fender ad playing bass.

[@iLurq]

The fact that he landed el toro first try and than went back and tried it and couldn’t do it just shows how insane the first t was

[@MABCME]

so ready for new episodes!

[@EverythingsBeenDone]

THANK YOU for doing more Epicly Later'd!!!!

[@mooky601]

NUGE THE ABSOLUTE 🐐 Literall my favorite skateboarder of all time. Influenced me so much when I was younger. Not only did I wanna skate like this, I even grew out my hair and started wearing skinny pants cause I wanted to go full hesh. Vice, please keep making Epicly Later’d vids. I missed these so much. 🙏

[@clstile]

Nuge has been one of my favorite skateboarders for years! He always has sick parts, super fun to watch .. and that Arctic album he put out with figgy has been on my turntable non stop .. when I first bought it years ago, it was really just to support the boys, but it really grew on me .. such a rad album!! 🤘🏼

[@brad2812]

Dude is a legend and overall badass human being. Awesome video

[@Slayyyy8800]

These vice skate videos take me straight back to the happiest days of my life as a kid and there amazing short documentaries. I’d love to see one on every skater ever honestly.

[@evandelgadillo]

I freakin love this series. Never disappoints. Im glued to the screen from start to finish, every single time.

[@anarchistbunny3339]

Nuge is one of my personal top 5 skaters of all time.. what a Legend.

[@jonassteinberg3779]

The fast cut to Tino telling him not to do Baxter is hilarious.

[@mattjenkinscomic]

I don’t know anything about skating but the algorithm brought me here and I loved it! These guys are awesome.

[@eamonsherry2185]

Great to see this show returning. Hope to see a lot more of it.

[@hjk6606]

I live a street up from his burger joint on Beverly and have been there many times. Their smash burgers are legit and he's there all the time. I grew up skating, so to be able to have a burger from a legend like Nuge is a point that's never lost to me. Stoked to see him shine in this.👍🏽

[@alejandroramirez4470]

like nashville style hot chicken, smash burgers have become so popular. When I need to improvise, I get a burger at mcdonald's with extra onion and melt my choice of cheese under the patty. Now I know besides rapper Bun B, there's a skater that makes them too. I haven't heard of don before either.

[@liamingrouille9905]

THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND 🔥

[@ThePlanefixr]

I remember him in the OKC skate scene. He was a GREAT skater even we he was young! Great to see him killing it!

[@SKATETOSLAYER]

This was awesome, really well done, great to see another epicly later'd, and great choice of skater! Always loved Nuge's parts. I was definitely big on the early 2000's hesh days haha.

[@richardwinquest2766]

just wow! hats of to you Nuge!! the end got me in my feels some

[@coburgerj1993]

I literally teared thinking about had everyone died on that hill! Fire it up Nuge! Thank you Patrick Odell and Vice! Thank you skateboarding!

[@thehydereport592]

So happy you brought EL’d back 🎉🎉

[@mitchtizzle]

Thank you for bringing this show back Patrick

[@Nollie_Fullcab]

Beagle being interviewed while eating a banana is hilarious

[@SenseiZ666]

Hella sick! Such a Gnarly skater, definitely a favorite and a legend.

[@AuntyCoby]

much respect to you as a man, to your culture, to your roots, to your childhood, to the life you carved for yourself and to your future. very cool guy and love his story. THE MAN !

[@andydiaz6384]

I didn’t know there was new epicly laterd. One of the best things ever on KZbin. Thanks Patrick

[@guapanmessi4470]

I remember seeing the little doc vice made for Lizard King around 12 years ago and I’ve always hoped that they would make one for Nuge. Being a southeast Asian kid, this made me really happy to see

[@cadamstech1658]

This was sick! Nuge is the man! Keep em coming!

[@yeaboydotdot]

Thanks for bringing this back

[@Pluto8424]

Oh yes I grew up in Enid Oklahoma in 1968 which at the time was very small town we were the first Asian family to live there so the News paper did a story on us , but I think that caused even more problems for me and my brothers because I remember that being chased after school and having rocks thrown at us and getting in fights and eventually it slowed down as I got older but I moved away from there as soon as I could after high school and I have lived in California for a while and loved it that is a place where I fit in . Love your story.

[@jtokarz50]

He's a skate visionary and an all-time great.

[@armoredjoey]

Imagine learning an ollie never seeing anyone else do it before. HOLY CRAP! This man technically invented his own skateboarding moves regardless of them already being known.

[@CommunityVisuals]

Not even one mention about his time as a pro for Hollywood Skateboards? Still an awesome episode so glad these are back, Patrick you've done Skateboarding incredible service by helping this stories be told.

[@jwalk2287]

Hollywood Skateboards was sick!

[@jamesramirez523]

I live down the street from Baxter and to this day can’t believe nuge bombed that. It’s nuts dude

[@crisLeaps89]

Wanted this episode for a long while. Thank you!!!!!!

[@rolltidewhodat2870]

Man this is Awesome, THANK YOU SOO MUCH!! for getting this going again!

[@user-mv8uv4xo5e]

glad to see he still getting the recognition he deserves one of the few maniacs i looked up to in skateboarding growing up

[@louisbing200]

You deserve all your success nuge!!!

[@nugget2317]

What a episode, what a bloke! So stoked epicly later'd is back finally!

[@CryptoRoast_0]

This was beautiful to watch. 🙏

[@stayhappykid]

I remember starting watching when I was 12 I’m 26 now

[@Luapnameuc]

Vice thank you for bringing this back. More Epicly Later'd. Nuge you've inspired a generation. thank you.