Brief Introduction of Bam Margera
Brandon Cole “Bam” Margera is an American former professional skateboarder, stunt performer, television personality, and filmmaker. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of the stars of the MTV reality stunt show Jackass and its subsequent film franchise. Margera also created and starred in the spin-off shows Viva La Bam, Bam’s Unholy Union, and Bam’s Bad Ass Game Show. Beyond his television fame, he is known for the CKY video series, which featured skateboarding and outrageous stunts that predated Jackass. His career has been marked by a unique blend of professional skateboarding, filmmaking, and a larger-than-life personality that captivated a generation, though it has also been significantly impacted by public struggles with substance abuse and legal issues.
Bam Margera Overview
| Full Name | Brandon Cole Margera |
| Date of Birth | September 28, 1979 |
| Age | 45 (as of late 2024) |
| Birthplace | West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Parents | Phil and April Margera |
| Brother | Jess Margera |
| Spouse(s) | Missy Rothstein (m. 2007; div. 2012), Nicole Boyd (m. 2013; sep. 2021), Dannii Marie (m. 2024) |
| Children | Phoenix Wolf Margera |
| Profession | Former Professional Skateboarder, Stunt Performer, Television Personality, Filmmaker |
| Known For | Jackass, Viva La Bam, CKY video series |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Education of Bam Margera
Brandon Cole Margera was born on September 28, 1979, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to April and Phil Margera. He is the younger brother of Jess Margera, a musician best known as the drummer for the band CKY, and the nephew of the late Vincent “Don Vito” Margera, who became a television personality himself. Before their television fame, his father, Phil, worked as a baker and his mother, April, was a hairdresser. His famous nickname originated when he was just three years old. His grandfather, noticing his habit of intentionally running into walls, dubbed him “Bam Bam,” which was later shortened to “Bam” by his schoolmates. In 2007, he legally changed his first name to Bam.
Margera’s interest in skateboarding began at the age of seven. By the time he was in high school, it had become his primary passion. He attended East High School in West Chester. In 1994, Margera dropped out of high school but his mother homeschooled him, and he later obtained his GED. A year later, in 1995, he, his brother Jess, and friends Ryan Dunn and Chris Raab were involved in a serious car accident, but none suffered life-threatening injuries.
Bam Margera’s Career
The CKY Crew and Videos
Margera’s career in entertainment began long before his MTV fame. After receiving a video camera from his father, he started filming himself and his friends performing skateboard tricks and stunts. This group, which included Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Chris Raab, and Rake Yohn, became known as the CKY Crew, which stands for “Camp Kill Yourself,” a name also used by his brother’s band. The CKY video series, starting with CKY: Landspeed in 1999, became an underground sensation, showcasing a raw mix of skating, pranks, and dangerous antics that laid the groundwork for his future success.
Jackass and Rise to Fame
The popularity of the CKY videos captured the attention of Jeff Tremaine, a former editor of the skateboarding magazine Big Brother, who was developing a new stunt-based reality show with Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze. Margera and his CKY crew were recruited to join the cast of what would become MTV’s Jackass, which premiered in 2000. The show was an instant hit, catapulting Margera to international fame for his fearless stunts and pranks, often targeting his father, Phil. The show’s success led to a lucrative film franchise, including Jackass: The Movie, Jackass Number Two, and Jackass 3D.
Viva La Bam and Other Projects
Following the initial run of Jackass, Margera’s star continued to rise with his own MTV spin-off, Viva La Bam, which ran from 2003 to 2006. The show was filmed primarily at his home in Pennsylvania, known as “Castle Bam,” and featured his family and the CKY crew engaging in a variety of chaotic stunts and challenges. He also created other television shows, including Bam’s Unholy Union, which documented his wedding to his first wife, Missy Rothstein, and Bam’s Bad Ass Game Show. As a filmmaker, he wrote and directed the independent films Haggard (2003) and Minghags (2009).
Professional Skateboarding
Parallel to his television career, Margera maintained a presence as a professional skateboarder. He was sponsored by various companies throughout his career, most notably becoming a member of Team Element for Element Skateboards in 2001. His sponsors also included Adio Footwear, Volcom, and Electric Sunglasses, among others. He was featured in the popular Tony Hawk‘s Pro Skater video game series, which further solidified his status as a prominent figure in the skateboarding world.
Bam Margera Personal Life & Family
Bam Margera’s personal life has been as public and tumultuous as his career. He was first engaged to Jenn Rivell, and their seven-year relationship, which ended in 2005, was often featured in his early projects. In 2006, he filed for “protection from abuse” from Rivell after she allegedly broke into his home.
He then became engaged to childhood friend Melissa “Missy” Rothstein. They married on February 3, 2007, with the lead-up to the wedding chronicled on the MTV series Bam’s Unholy Union. The couple’s relationship was strained, and they were living separately by 2010 before divorcing in November 2012.
On October 5, 2013, Margera married Nicole “Nikki” Boyd in Reykjavík, Iceland. They welcomed their son, Phoenix Wolf, in December 2017. However, the couple separated in the fall of 2021. In February 2023, Boyd filed for legal separation, citing irreconcilable differences, and sought physical and legal custody of their son. Margera was granted supervised visitation rights in late 2023.
In July 2023, Margera began dating Dannii Marie, a model. He proposed to her in October 2023 and they married on May 28, 2024.
Awards and Achievements of Bam Margera
While much of his recognition comes from his popular television shows and films, Bam Margera has also received several award nominations for his work.
- In 2003, he was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team for Jackass: The Movie, sharing the nomination with Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and Chris Pontius.
- He received nominations for the Teen Choice Awards in 2005 and 2006 for Choice TV Reality/Variety Star – Male for his role in Viva la Bam.
- In 2004, he won a gold medal in the street competition at the Gravity Games.
- He was honored with the Readers’ Choice Award from Transworld Skateboarding in 2002.
Bam Margera Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Bam Margera’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $1.5 million. This figure represents a significant decrease from his peak net worth, which was reported to be as high as $45 million during the height of his fame with the Jackass and Viva La Bam series. His income was primarily generated from his television shows, film appearances, and skateboarding endorsements. For the first two Jackass movies, Margera reportedly earned $5 million each. His earnings from Viva La Bam are also estimated to be around $5 million. However, his fortune has been significantly impacted by years of public struggles, legal battles, costly rehabilitation stays, and divorce.
Legacy and Influence
Bam Margera’s impact on both skateboarding and popular culture is undeniable. He was a key figure in bridging the gap between underground skate culture and mainstream entertainment. Through Jackass and Viva La Bam, he introduced skateboarding to a massive global audience, shaping the public’s perception of the sport. His fearless, “anything goes” attitude and creative, often dangerous, stunts inspired a generation of young people to embrace individuality and push boundaries. His blend of sport, performance art, and rebellious individualism cemented his status as a cultural icon of the early 2000s.
Interesting Facts about Bam Margera
- He legally changed his first name from Brandon to Bam in 2007.
- His home, known as “Castle Bam,” is a large property in Pennsylvania featuring gothic architecture and its own skatepark.
- Margera is also a musician, playing keyboards in a band called Gnarkill and creating another band called Fuckface Unstoppable.
- He started his own music label, Filthy Note Records, in 2005 and has directed music videos for bands like HIM, CKY, and The 69 Eyes.
- In 2009, he published a book titled Serious as Dog Dirt, which contains his personal writings and photographs.
- He owned a bar and theater in West Chester called “The Note,” which operated from 2008 to 2014.
- His son Phoenix has shown an interest in skateboarding, a fact Margera has spoken about with pride.
Controversies
Bam Margera has had a long and public battle with alcoholism and substance abuse, which has led to numerous legal troubles and personal challenges. He first entered rehab in 2009 and has had multiple subsequent attempts without completing a full program. His struggles intensified following the death of his close friend and Jackass co-star Ryan Dunn in 2011.
His substance abuse issues led to his dismissal from the production of Jackass Forever in 2021 after allegedly breaching a “wellness agreement” that required him to stay sober and submit to regular testing. This resulted in Margera filing a lawsuit against Johnny Knoxville, director Jeff Tremaine, producer Spike Jonze, and Paramount Pictures, alleging wrongful termination. He claimed he was coerced into signing the agreement and was fired for testing positive for Adderall, which he stated was prescribed for his attention deficit disorder. The lawsuit was settled out of court in April 2022. Director Jeff Tremaine was also granted a three-year restraining order against Margera after alleging he received death threats.
Margera has faced several arrests for public intoxication and other incidents in recent years. In June 2023, he was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold after threatening self-harm.
Social Media Presence
Bam Margera has maintained a significant presence on social media, particularly on Instagram, where he often shares updates about his life, skateboarding, and personal struggles with his followers. His online activity has frequently been a source of news and controversy, including his public call for a boycott of Jackass Forever and his disputes with former castmates.
Final Words about Bam Margera
Bam Margera’s journey is a complex narrative of incredible success and profound personal struggle. From a trailblazing skateboarder and a beloved television daredevil to a figure grappling with addiction and mental health issues, his life has been lived in the public eye. In recent years, there have been glimmers of a comeback, with reports of him returning to skateboarding, focusing on sobriety, and remarrying. He made a return as a secret character in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 video game and has collaborated on a guest model with Zero Skateboards in July 2025, signaling a renewed connection to his skateboarding roots. His legacy remains a testament to both the exhilarating heights of fame and the perilous challenges that can accompany it.
