Bam Margera

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Bam Margera

Bam Margera, September 2006
Born Brandon Cole Margera
September 28, 1979 (1979-09-28) (age 32)
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Residence Castle Bam in Pocopson Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania[1]
Occupation Stuntman
Director
Actor
Skateboarder
Years active 1998–present
Spouse Melissa "Missy" Rothstein (2007–present)
Website
www.bamargera.com

Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera[2] (pronounced /mɑrˈdʒɛərə/ mar-jair-ə; born September 28, 1979) is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into 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.

Contents

Early life

Margera was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Phil and April 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.[3] 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.[4] 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, and Jackass 3D. 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.[5] 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.[6]

In 2009, Margera appeared on Nitro Circus.[7]

In October 2010, Margera appeared in Jackass 3D and the movie broke box office records.[8] He visited Europe doing press for the movie in late October.[9]

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 outside London, England.[10][11]

Skateboarding career

Since 2003, Margera has been a member of Team Element, the demonstration team for Element Skateboards.[12] He is also sponsored by Speed Metal Bearings, Adio Footwear, and Fairman's Skateshop.

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.[13]

Margera also directed Minghags, formerly titled Kiss a Good Man's Ass.[14] The film is a loose sequel to Haggard and will feature the "garbage juicer" invention from that film.[15] This film was confirmed on Radio Bam and the front page of FilthyNote Records by Tim Glomb. Filming started April 5, 2007.[16] On an episode of Radio Bam, Margera said that they are trying to make the movie PG-13 rated,[17] but with the amount of swearing and a shot of nudity, an 'R' Rating could not be avoided.[18] They had its first viewing of the rough version of the film on August 7, 2007, at Sikes Hall.[19] The movie was released in December 2008. The film was a straight-to-DVD release.

Subsequently, Margera released a Christmas-themed movie entitled Bam Margera Presents: Where the#$&% Is Santa? in December 2008.[20] 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.[20]

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.

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.[21]

In late 2009, Margera released a book containing private writings and pictures titled Serious as Dog Dirt.[22]

Personal life

Relationships

Margera was previously engaged to Jenn Rivell, a divorced single mother. Rivell played a prominent part in several of his projects and the couple appeared to be co-habiting in various episodes of Viva La Bam. However, the relationship ended in 2005.[23] In November 2006, Margera filed for "Protection From Abuse" from Rivell after she allegedly broke into his house.[23] He further alleged that Rivell had exhibited irrational and aggressive behavior towards him on several previous occasions including stealing several computers and vandalizing his house immediately after their initial breakup. The judge dismissed the allegations as "speculative" and "hearsay".[24][dead link]

In 2006, Margera became engaged to childhood friend Melissa "Missy" Rothstein.[25] 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 LA Ink, Bam told Kat Von D about $13,000 in damages done to the hotel for his marriage, saying " 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'."[26][27]

In July 2009, Margera was taken to the hospital by paramedics and state troopers from his West Chester home after his wife Missy called 911 after a four day alcohol binge.[28][29] On the drinking binge, Margera said "I may get a divorce . . . booze helps."[28] In October 2010, Margera told Howard Stern he and Missy were living in separate cities, they meet once a week and Missy knows about his girlfriend in San Francisco and another in West Chester.[30][31]

During the summer of 2011, Margera began dating singer-songwriter Porcelain Black even though he is still married to Missy Margera and has even confirmed this on one of his weekly Radio Bam programs.[32]

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.[2]

Margera currently resides in "Castle Bam", a large house in Wawaset, Pennsylvania. 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.[33] 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 Saturday, June 12, 2010, Margera was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat outside of his bar, The Note, in West Chester, Pennsylvania.[34] 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".[34] Ray denies attacking Margera.[34] Margera, on the other hand, denies having said the words, claiming "I called her a crazy bitch and an idiot, but I definitely didn't use the n-word".[35]

TV, film, and releases

TV

Movies

DVDs/Videos

  • CKY video series: CKY, CKY2K, CKY3 and CKY4. (1999–2003)
  • Hook-Ups Presents: Destroying America (2001)

Book

  • Bam Margera, Serious as Dog Dirt (MTV; November 17, 2009) ISBN 1439147736

References

  1. ^ "Dan Gross: Margera at the Murano". Philadelphia Daily News. Aug 5, 2009. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20090805_Dan_Gross__Margera_at_the_Murano.html. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
  2. ^ a b Niesel, Jeff. "Soundcheck: Bam Margera: Jackass/international Celebrity". http://www.freetimes.com/stories/15/25/bam-margera. Retrieved 2006-10-24. [dead link]
  3. ^ Nieratko, Chris. "Big Bro Interview". http://welcom2jackass.tripod.com/jackasses/id10.html. Retrieved 2006-08-20. 
  4. ^ "Bam Margera, 21, making the leap to fame". Tribune News Service. Jul 19, 2001. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-76643212.html?refid=gnews_209. Retrieved 2009-09-01. 
  5. ^ ""MTV makes room for Margera", Hollywood Reporter, 2006-12-14". http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3if933bb111b42def7f4720f43feee10e1. [dead link]
  6. ^ "The Fantasstic Whores 4". AVN. 2009. http://www.avn.com/movies/79267.html. Retrieved 2009-09-01. 
  7. ^ "Did Bam OD, or was he thirsty?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 21, 2009. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/51285677.html. Retrieved 2009-07-24. [dead link]
  8. ^ Jackass 3D' box office boom, New York Daily News, October 18, 2010
  9. ^ "'Jackass 3D' blows up the competition with $50-million opening". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/10/box-office-jackass-3d-blows-up-the-competition-with-50-million-dollar-opening.html. 
  10. ^ 'Bam's World Domination' Premieres on Spike TV Wednesday, October 13, PR Newswire, 20 September 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010
  11. ^ "To Daniels, a 'Precious' film". Philadelphia Inquirer. Oct 20, 2009. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/dan_gross/20091020_Dan_Gross__To_Daniels__a__Precious__film.html. Retrieved 2009-09-01. [dead link]
  12. ^ "Team Element: Bam Margera". Element Skateboards. 2009. http://www.elementskateboards.com/team/bam-margera/. Retrieved 2009-10-24. 
  13. ^ Ahlroth, Jussi. "HIM: the metamorphoses of Ville Valo". HELSINGIN SANOMAT. http://www.hs.fi/english/article/HIM+the+metamorphoses+of+Ville+Valo/1101979292024. Retrieved 2008-08-22. 
  14. ^ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. 2007-02-26. No. 109.
  15. ^ Epstein, Daniel Robert. "Bam Margera Interview". UnderGroundOnline. http://www.ugo.com/channels/sports/features/bammargera/. Retrieved 2006-08-20. 
  16. ^ April 2, 2007 episode of Radio Bam on Sirius 28 Faction.
  17. ^ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. 2007-04-02. No. 114.
  18. ^ IMDb.com.
  19. ^ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. 2007-07-30. No. 127.
  20. ^ a b "Official Bam Margera Presents: Where the #$&% Is Santa?". bammargeradvd.com. 2009. http://www.bammargeradvd.com/. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
  21. ^ Klein, Michael (2007-12-17). "No joke: Prankster wants to open hometown theater". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20071225204445/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071216_No_joke__Prankster_wants_to_open_hometown_theater.html. Retrieved 2007-01-16. 
  22. ^ "Serious as Dog Dirt". Simon & Schuster. 2009-12-17. http://books.simonandschuster.com/Serious-as-Dog-Dirt/Bam-Margera/9781439147733. Retrieved 2010-04-26. 
  23. ^ a b Fanelli, Brian (2006-11-04). "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
  24. ^ Fanelli, Brian (2006-11-04). "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. Retrieved 2008-08-22. 
  25. ^ "Bam in the slammer‎," Philadelphia Daily News, March 7, 2006 link
  26. ^ Bam Margera clip from LA Ink
  27. ^ $13,000 Worth of damage at his wedding - Bam Scape.
  28. ^ a b "Bam Margera leaves hospital after being 'dehydrated' from four-day bender". New York Daily News. July 21, 2009. http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/07/21/2009-07-21_bam_margera_leaves_hospital_after_being_dehydrated_from_four_day_bender.html. Retrieved 2009-07-24. 
  29. ^ "Margera's mom blames dehydration for son's hospitalization". KTVX. July 21, 2009. http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Margeras-mom-blames-dehydration-for-sons/JzOmwycJWkOwZ3vcV5RbqQ.cspx. Retrieved 2009-07-24. [dead link]
  30. ^ YouTube (October 18, 2010). "Bam Margera interview". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTqmQMM_Rz8. Retrieved October 23, 2010. 
  31. ^ The Howard Stern Show (September 19, 2006). "Bam Margera interview". http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1158638400. Retrieved October 23, 2010. 
  32. ^ "Bam Margera's new girl revealed!". Life & Style Weekly. http://www.lifeandstylemag.com/2011/09/bam-margera-jackass-star-dating-alaina-marie-beaton-porcelain-black-while-still-officially-married.html. Retrieved 14 September 2011. 
  33. ^ "Radio Bam". Radio Bam. 2007-08-06. No. 128.
  34. ^ a b c "Dan Gross: Police: Woman hit 'Jackass' star Bam Margera with bat". Philadelphia Daily News. Jun 14, 2010. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/96273678.html#axzz0r7xibB5n. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 
  35. ^ Gross, Dan (2010-06-22). "Bam Margera denies using racial slur, will testify against alleged attacker". Philly.com. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillygossip/Bam_Margera_denies_using_racial_slur_will_testify_against_alleged_attacker.html. Retrieved 2010-11-06. 
  36. ^ Minghags at the Internet Movie Database

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bam Margera
Core members
Brandon DiCamillo • Ryan Dunn • Bam Margera • Jess Margera • Chris Raab • Rake Yohn
Other members
Videos
CKY (1999–2003) • Jackass: The Movie (2002) • Haggard: The Movie (2003) • Jackass Number Two (2006) • Minghags (2008) • Where the ♯$&% is Santa? (2008) • Jackass 3D (2010)
TV & radio series
Main cast
Supporting cast
Crew
Television shows
Films
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