Bam Margera

Bam Margera

Margera in September 2006
Born Brandon Cole Margera
(1979-09-28) September 28, 1979
West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Residence Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation Skateboarder, stunt performer, actor, musician, filmmaker, television personality
Years active 1998–present
Spouse(s) Melissa Rothstein (m. 2007; div. 2012)
Nicole Boyd (m. 2013)
Parent(s) Phil Margera
April Margera
Relatives Jess Margera (brother)
Vincent Margera (uncle)

Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera[1] (/mɑːrˈdʒɛərə/ or mar-JAIR-ə; born September 28, 1979) is an American professional skateboarder, stunt performer, and television personality. He came to prominence after appearing in MTV's Jackass crew. He has since appeared in MTV's Viva La Bam and Bam's Unholy Union, all three Jackass movies, and Haggard and Minghags, both of which he co-wrote and directed.

Early life

Margera was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of April (née Cole) and Phil Margera. He is the younger brother of Jess Margera and nephew of Vincent Margera. His grandfather nicknamed him "Bam" at the age of three after his habit of running into walls.[2] He attended East High School and cites friend Chris Raab as his only reason for attending high school.

Career

Television and film

Margera began shooting videos of himself and his friends skateboarding and doing stunts, which eventually turned into the CKY video series.[3] He independently released CKY. CKY2K, CKY3 and CKY4 have also been released. CKY stands for "Camp Kill Yourself", a reference to the film Sleepaway Camp. These early videos feature many of Margera's friends, including Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Chris Raab, Brandon Novak and others who form a loose collective known as the CKY Crew. CKY is also the name of a rock band featuring his brother Jess, and the history and relationship between the video and band projects is heavily interlinked.

Following the CKY success, former Big Brother editor Jeff Tremaine noticed Margera's videos and drafted him into the team which would eventually become MTV's Jackass. Margera and Ryan Dunn became mainstays of the cast while other CKY crew members played supporting roles to various degrees. Margera went on to appear in Jackass: The Movie, Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D and Jackass 3.5. Several skits in the first Jackass movie were CKY style pieces filmed in and around West Chester, but similar scenes in the second movie were removed after the arrest of Margera's uncle Vincent Margera.

After Jackass, Margera was given his own MTV series entitled Viva La Bam, which ran for five seasons between 2003–2005. The show followed Margera and his crew as they performed various stunts and missions. The show was primarily filmed in West Chester, Pennsylvania but also visited New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Brazil, Finland, Mexico, Amsterdam and Transylvania. In addition to the regular series, special episodes have included "Viva La Spring Break" and a "lost" episode included on the Viva La Bands CD.

Following the show, in 2007, Margera was engaged and the wedding was filmed for Bam's Unholy Union as a follow-up to Viva la Bam. The show follows Margera, his then fiancée Melissa Rothstein and their friends in the lead-up to their wedding.[4] Also in 2008, Margera had a "prominent, non-sex role in" a pornographic film by Gina Lynn called The Fantasstic Whores 4 with Brandon Novak.[5]

In 2009, Margera appeared on Nitro Circus.[6]

In October 2010, Margera appeared in Jackass 3D and the movie broke box office records.[7] He visited Europe doing press for the movie in late October.[8]

Margera appears with Dunn and pro-skateboarder Tim O'Connor on Bam's World Domination, a half-hour Spike TV program that debuted on October 13, 2010. The first episode showcased Margera and his friends' attempt to conquer an obstacle course race, in the Tough Guy Competition, held in Staffordshire, England.[9]

In March 2016, Bam and his mother April Margera appeared on the VH1 reality television show Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn to confront Bam's self-destructive behavior.[10]

Skateboarding career

In the beginning of his career, during 1997 and 1998, Margera was sponsored by Toy Machine Skateboards.[11] From 2001, Margera was a member of Team Element, the demonstration team for Element Skateboards.[12] As of 2016 or earlier, Margera is not on the team.[13] He was also at various times sponsored by Speed Metal Bearings, Adio Footwear, Electric Sunglasses, Volcom,[14] Landspeed Wheels,[15] Destroyer Trucks,[16] Destructo Trucks, and Fairman's Skateshop. As of 2016, Margera is without any major sponsorships and has effectively retired from professional skateboarding.

Independent films

Margera has written, produced and starred in three independent films. Margera co-wrote, directed and starred in Haggard (2003), an independent film based on real events in the life of his friend Ryan Dunn. Dunn played himself as the main character while Margera played "Valo", a character based on himself and elements of HIM singer and friend Ville Valo.[17]

Margera also directed Minghags, formerly titled Kiss a Good Man's Ass.[18] The film is a loose sequel to Haggard and will feature the "garbage juicer" invention from that film.[19] This film was confirmed on Radio Bam and the front page of FilthyNote Records by Tim Glomb. Filming started April 5, 2007.[20] On an episode of Radio Bam, Margera said that they are trying to make the movie PG-13 rated,[21] but with the amount of swearing and a shot of nudity, an 'R' Rating could not be avoided.[22] They had its first viewing of the rough version of the film on August 7, 2007, at Sikes Hall.[23] The movie was released straight to DVD in December 2008.

Subsequently, Margera released a Christmas-themed movie entitled Bam Margera Presents: Where the#$&% Is Santa? in December 2008.[24] The movie is about Bam and his friends going to the Arctic Circle in Finland on a quest to find Santa Claus. The film features Ville Valo from HIM, The Dudesons, Hanoi Rocks, Mark the Bagger, and more.[24]

Radio Bam and music

Margera began a weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show on Sirius channel 28 Faction on November 24, 2004 called Radio Bam. The show features Margera along with friends from the CKY and Jackass crews.

In 2005, Margera started a music label, Filthy Note Records, and has directed music videos for Clutch, Turbonegro, Viking Skull, Vains of Jenna and several for CKY. He also directed seven music videos, "Buried Alive By Love", "The Sacrament", "And Love Said No", and "Solitary Man", for the Finnish band HIM, and three for The 69 Eyes, "Lost Boys", "Dead Girls are Easy" and "Dead N Gone". He also plays the keyboard in a novelty band called Gnarkill along with Brandon DiCamillo, Jess Margera, Rich Vose and Matt Cole.

Margera's band, Fuckface Unstoppable, was written about in 2013 on the Buddyhead website and the article questions the seriousness of the band ("a joke band(?)"). The band featured Margera, his brother, his girlfriend and Brandon Novak. Chad Ginsburg, from CKY, was the band's guitarist before quitting.[25] The band released their debut album titled FFU on May 27, 2014 through Artery Records.

Documentary

In January 2015, Margera announced that he had been working on an autobiographical documentary film which he hoped to premiere in the near future. On April 9, the first trailer for the film, entitled I Need Time To Stay Useless, was released to YouTube and other media outlets. The film will deal primarily with Margeras life after the death of his close friend and co-star, Ryan Dunn, who died in a car crash in 2011. According to Margera the film has been three years in the making, and will give viewers a glimpse into his childhood, career and rise to fame, while focusing mainly on his recovery from the death of Dunn.[26] Musician Brent Hinds of the band Mastodon will play Dunn in what has been described as "dramatic fantasy interludes" that ties the film together while also re-enacting what Margera considers his "darkest moments" after Dunn's death.[27] During a Facebook Q&A on December 7, 2015 Margera stated that the name of the film would change from I Need Time To Stay Useless to Earth Rocker and that it would be released February 2016.[28]

Other projects

Margera has been animated as a character in pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk's video games Pro Skaters 3 and 4, Underground and Underground 2, American Wasteland, Project 8 and Proving Ground. He also voiced a character in the video game Scarface: The World Is Yours. He made cameo appearances in the movies Grind and Destroying America.

In late September 2008, Margera opened a bar/theater called "The Note", in his hometown of West Chester, Pennsylvania.[29] Serious restrictions from West Chester Borough Council caused a multitude of issues for Margera and the bar, and The Note closed its doors in January 2014.[30]

In late 2009, Margera released a book containing private writings and pictures titled Serious as Dog Dirt.[31]

Personal life

Relationships

Margera was engaged to Jenn Rivell, a divorced single mother. Rivell played a prominent part in several of his projects and the couple appeared to be cohabiting in various episodes of Viva La Bam. Their relationship ended in 2005.[32] In November 2006, Margera filed for "Protection From Abuse" from Rivell after she allegedly broke into his house.[32]

In 2006, Margera became engaged to childhood friend Melissa "Missy" Rothstein.[33] The events leading up to their wedding (with about 350 friends and family in attendance) on February 3, 2007, in downtown Philadelphia, were chronicled on the MTV series Bam's Unholy Union. The couple's honeymoon was in Dubai. In 2008, during an appearance on LA Ink, Margera told Kat Von D about $13,000 in damages that was caused during his wedding celebration, explaining, "I was kind of ready for it, though. I was like, 'I'm inviting the Jackass crew. If something doesn't get broken then that's not right'."[34][35]

In July 2009, Margera was taken to hospital by paramedics and state troopers after Missy called 911 following a four-day alcohol binge.[36] In regard to the drinking binge, Margera said, "I may get a divorce... booze helps."[36] In October 2010, Margera told Howard Stern that he and Missy were living in separate cities, they meet once a week, and that Missy knew that he had girlfriends.[37][38] The couple divorced in November 2012.[39]

On October 5, 2013, Margera married Nicole Boyd in Reykjavík, Iceland.[40]

Name, residence, and assault

In an October 24, 2007 interview with the Cleveland Free Times, Margera stated that although he had completed paperwork that would legally change his first name to Bam, he was "still debating" filing it after a conversation with his father.[1]

Margera currently resides in Castle Bam, a large house in Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania.[41] The house has a gothic theme, a skatepark in the driveway, and is situated on 14 acres (57,000 m2) of land. In January 2007, Margera built a ramp in his backyard, near the old casino seen in Viva La Bam. The ramp itself caused trouble with the township.[42] Margera's parents and select members of the CKY Crew lived in the house while shooting Viva La Bam, with Margera's uncle residing in a house on the property.

On June 12, 2010, Margera was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat outside of his bar, The Note.[43] Margera spent the night at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he was treated for head injuries. According to Elizabeth Ray, the alleged assailant, Margera used "the N word, with black in front of it".[43] Ray denies attacking Margera.[43] Margera denies having said the word, claiming "I called her a crazy bitch and an idiot, but I definitely didn't use the n-word".[44]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Jackass: The Movie Himself Writer
2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Irish Dock Worker Cameo
2003 Grind Himself
2003 Haggard: The Movie Valo Writer, director, executive producer
2006 Jackass Number Two Himself Co-producer
2006 The Dudesons Movie Himself
2007 Jackass 2.5 Himself Co-producer
2008 Bam Margera Presents: Where the ♯$&% Is Santa? Himself Writer, director, producer, executive producer
2008 The Fantasstic Whores 4 Himself Cameo
2009 Minghags: The Movie Lenny Writer, director, executive producer
2010 Jackass 3D Himself Co-producer
2011 Jackass 3.5 Himself Co-producer
2016 Earth Rocker [28] Himself Writer, director, producer, executive producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000–2002 Jackass Himself Starred
25 episodes
2003–2006 Viva La Bam Himself Co-creator, executive producer
2005–2012 Punk'd Himself Host
2 episodes
2006–2009 The Dudesons Himself 2 episodes
2007 Bam's Unholy Union Himself Co-creator, executive producer
2008 Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover Himself TV special
2009 Nitro Circus Himself 3 episodes
2010 Bam's World Domination Himself Co-creator, director, executive producer
2011 A Tribute to Ryan Dunn[45] Himself TV special
2012 Loiter Squad Himself Guest star
2014 Bam's Bad Ass Game Show Himself Co-creator, executive producer
2014 CKY: The Greatest Hits[46] Himself TV special
2016 Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn[47] Himself

DVDs and videos

Year Title Role
1999 Landspeed presents: CKY Himself
2000 CKY2K Himself
2001 CKY3 Himself
2001 CKY Documentary Himself
2001 Hook-Ups Presents: Destroying America Himself
2002 CKY4: The Latest & Greatest Himself

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Himself
2002 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Himself
2003 Tony Hawk's Underground Himself
2004 Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Himself
2005 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Himself
2006 Tony Hawk's Project 8 Himself
2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours Liquor Store Owner Voice
2007 Tony Hawk's Proving Ground Himself

Discography

With CKY
With Gnarkill
With Fuckface Unstoppable
With The Evesdroppers

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 Niesel, Jeff. "Soundcheck: Bam Margera: Jackass/international Celebrity". Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
  2. ↑ Nieratko, Chris. "Big Bro Interview". Retrieved August 20, 2006.
  3. ↑ "Bam Margera, 21, making the leap to fame". Tribune News Service. July 19, 2001. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  4. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (December 14, 2006). ""MTV makes room for Margera", Hollywood Reporter, 2006-12-14". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 4, 2007.
  5. ↑ "The Fantasstic Whores 4". AVN. 2009. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Did Bam OD, or was he thirsty?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 21, 2009. Archived from the original on July 24, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  7. ↑ Jackass 3D' box office boom, New York Daily News, October 18, 2010
  8. ↑ "'Jackass 3D' blows up the competition with $50-million opening". Los Angeles Times. October 17, 2010.
  9. ↑ "To Daniels, a 'Precious' film". Philadelphia Inquirer. October 20, 2009. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn TV Series Cast Members - VH1".
  11. ↑ "Toy Machine Bam Ad". Skately. 1997. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Team Element: Bam Margera". Element Skateboards. 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Team". Element Skateboards. 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Bam Margera Volcom Ad". Skately. 1999. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Bam Margera Landspeed Ad". Skately. 1999. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Bam Margera Destroyer Ad". Skately. 2000. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  17. ↑ Ahlroth, Jussi. "HIM: the metamorphoses of Ville Valo". HELSINGIN SANOMAT. Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. Episode 109. February 26, 2007.
  19. ↑ Epstein, Daniel Robert. "Bam Margera Interview". UnderGroundOnline. Archived from the original on August 22, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2006.
  20. ↑ April 2, 2007 episode of Radio Bam on Sirius 28 Faction.
  21. ↑ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. Episode 114. April 2, 2007.
  22. ↑ IMDb.com.
  23. ↑ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. Episode 127. July 30, 2007.
  24. 1 2 "Official Bam Margera Presents: Where the #$&% Is Santa?". bammargeradvd.com. 2009. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  25. ↑ Dan Ozzi (26 April 2013). "Bam Margera's Joke Band(?) Fuckface Unstoppable". Buddyhead. Buddyhead. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  26. ↑ The Lad Bible
  27. ↑ "Mastodon's Brent Hinds Is Playing Jackass' Ryan Dunn In A Bam Margera Movie". January 12, 2015.
  28. 1 2 "Bam Margera - Timeline - Facebook".
  29. ↑ Klein, Michael (December 17, 2007). "No joke: Prankster wants to open hometown theater". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2007.
  30. ↑ Gerrard, Jeremy (January 13, 2014). "The Note in West Chester to close". Daily Local News. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Serious as Dog Dirt". Simon & Schuster. December 17, 2009. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  32. 1 2 Fanelli, Brian (November 4, 2006). "Margera files for protection". Daily Local News. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17421112&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=6 archive.org link
  33. ↑ "Bam in the slammer," Philadelphia Daily News, March 7, 2006 link
  34. ↑ DFTFamily (10 June 2009). "Bam Margera LA Ink" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  35. ↑ $13,000 Worth of damage at his wedding – Bam Scape
  36. 1 2 "Bam Margera leaves hospital after being 'dehydrated' from four-day bender". New York Daily News. July 21, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  37. ↑ YouTube (October 18, 2010). "Bam Margera interview". Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  38. ↑ The Howard Stern Show (September 19, 2006). "Bam Margera interview". Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Bam Margera divorced". Toronto Sun. November 3, 2012.
  40. ↑ "Bam Margera Marries Nicole Boyd in Iceland—Watch Now!".
  41. ↑ "Dan Gross: Margera at the Murano". Philadelphia Daily News. August 5, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  42. ↑ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. Episode 128. August 6, 2007.
  43. 1 2 3 "Dan Gross: Police: Woman hit 'Jackass' star Bam Margera with bat". Philadelphia Daily News. June 14, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  44. ↑ Gross, Dan (June 22, 2010). "Bam Margera denies using racial slur, will testify against alleged attacker". Philly.com. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  45. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/shows/a_tribute_to_ryan_dunn/
  46. ↑ "Bam Margera Looks Back at His Viral Video Roots on MTV's 'CKY: The Greatest Hits' (Video)". October 28, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn TV Series Cast Members | VH1". VH1. Retrieved 2016-05-07.

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