Known as the tattoo artist to the stars, the climb to his present status is a superb story.
In 1984 in an exchange for an apprenticeship, 13 year old Anthony Rodriguez spent his days sweeping and cleaning Gene Bernardo's tattoo shop in Asbury Park, NJ. Some 26 years later, Anthony now known as Tattoo Tony is a highly sought after, freehand Tattoo Artist running his own business Under My Skin Tattoo Studio in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.
Before tasting success, Tattoo Tony had to overcome his own demons and addictions. Life was looking bleak until by chance Tattoo Tony was introduced to Poison lead singer Bret Michaels. That meeting with Bret changed Tony’s life forever. Michaels offered Tony a chance to get himself straight, to clean up his act and go out on the road with Bret for a while. That experience and his now good friend Bret saved Tony’s life. Now 8 years sober, Tony is looking ahead his life rich in opportunities and to turn those opportunities into gold.
After touring the country and appearing on Bret Michaels VH1 reality show Life As I Know It’, Tony's tribally tattooed face has become recognizable everywhere! In an episode where Tattoo Tony tattoos Bret’s kids with a marker, America was drawn into the magnetism that is Tattoo Tony. Tattoo Tony showed America that he is a fun and caring man and not just an artist. From this captivating episode, Tattoo Tony’s own reality show was born and he has become somewhat of a celebrity who now is making public appearances all over the U.S.A.
Tattoo Tony ’s Under My Skin is now filming and the world will see more than just “Tattoo Tony” working day to day in his tattoo shop and making public appearances. The focus of the show lies in a side of Tony that many seldom see. Tony Rodriguez above all is a single father with the sole custody of an adorable boy named Ray. Tony has learned to balance work life with every day "Daddy" duties like cooking, cleaning and pre-school.
As if being a hands-on dad, running a successful business and being a reality TV star weren’t enough, recently a local Jersey Shore bottling company approached Tony about marketing his own brand of alcohol called Tattoo Tony"s Hard Iced Tea. Distributed by Fedway statewide in New Jersey, Tony is now taking his brand nationwide.
Tattoo Tony Rodriguez wears many hats. He is an artist, an entrepreneur, a celebrity and a survivor. But most importantly, Tony is a dedicated father who is doing his very best to give Ray the life and future he deserves.
