Bam Margera

Bam Margera is an American stunt performer, skateboarder, and television personality who became a defining face of early-2000s pop culture as a core cast member of MTV's Jackass. His daredevil stunts, crude humor, and magnetic energy turned him into a household name, leading to spin-offs like Viva La Bam and a string of hit movies. As of 2026, Margera's net worth sits at roughly $2 million, a fraction of his peak earnings, as he continues to navigate personal struggles and legal battles.

Margera's legacy is tied to the Jackass franchise, which grossed over $400 million worldwide across films. He also directed and co-wrote the cult comedies Haggard (2003) and Minghags (2009). Though his later years have been marked by addiction and public turmoil, fans still celebrate his fearless, anarchic spirit, the same energy that made him a star.[edit]

Brandon Cole Margera got his nickname "Bam" from his uncle, who said the sound of his skateboard hitting the pavement as a toddler reminded him of a loud bang. Growing up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, he was a hyperactive kid diagnosed with ADHD. His uncle Vincent "Don Vito" Margera introduced him to skateboarding, and he quickly became obsessed, spending hours at local parks and filming his tricks.

At East High School, Margera struggled academically but found his tribe: a group of friends including Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, and Raab Himself. Together they started making homemade videos, dubbed the CKY series, featuring stunts, pranks, and crude slapstick. The tapes circulated in the skateboarding underground, gaining a cult following. Margera also launched a skateboard company called Elementality, which later evolved into his Heartless brand.

The big break came when Jeff Tremaine, a former editor at Big Brother magazine, saw the CKY videos. Tremaine was developing a pilot for MTV about skaters doing dangerous stunts. He recruited Margera and his crew, and Jackass was born. Margera was 20 years old when the show premiered in 2000.[edit]

Jackass premiered on MTV in October 2000 and became an instant phenomenon. Margera's signature stunts, like the "Urban Gorilla" and riding a shopping cart off ramps, made him a breakout star. The show ran for three seasons, and the first film, Jackass: The Movie (2002), grossed $79 million worldwide. Margera's fame soared.

In 2003, he got his own MTV spin-off, Viva La Bam, which ran for five seasons and focused on pranks against his family. That same year, he wrote, directed, and starred in Haggard: The Movie, a semi-autobiographical comedy. Jackass Number Two (2006) earned $84 million globally. Margera also hosted Bam's Unholy Union (2007), documenting his wedding, and later Bam's World Domination (2010) and Bam's Bad Ass Game Show (2014).

After the 2011 death of his best friend Ryan Dunn, Margera's substance abuse escalated. He entered rehab in 2019 but was fired from Jackass Forever in 2020 for violating sobriety rules. He filed a legal dispute against the producers, settled in 2022. The film was released without him, though archival footage appears. As of 2026, Margera is not involved in major projects.[edit]

Margera's public persona in his prime was that of a fearless, loud, and wildly entertaining prankster. He dressed in baggy jeans, band T-shirts (often The Misfits or Metallica), and a beanie or backwards cap. His aggressive, high-energy style made him a fan favorite on Jackass. Since the 2010s, media coverage has shifted to his tragic decline due to addiction and legal issues. Fans remain deeply nostalgic for the early 2000s era and often express concern for his well-being on social media. Margera's own online presence is erratic, he posts rants about his legal battles, sobriety updates, and throwback clips.[edit]

Bam Margera commands a distinct position in the global consciousness, his influence measured across decades of stunt culture and reality television. His reach is quantified by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which track attention through media coverage, search patterns, and consumption signals worldwide. Currently, he holds the title of the 10th most famous person in Reality TV, a placement holding steady from the previous cycle. While his broader fame has fluctuated with legal challenges, this specific industry standing remains robust. The collective audience for Margera lacks a formal moniker; fans are generally identified by their association with his shows, such as the CKY Crew or Jackass viewership, rather than a unified badge like Barmy. This community has sustained his legacy through organized crowdfunding for re-releases and merchandise, ensuring the cult status of his early video series persists. Recent narratives focus on his recovery and return to skateboarding, with the fanbase rallying behind his sobriety journey. However, a significant rift with former collaborators Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine has altered the dynamic, as Margera has stated he will not reunite with the group despite watching their latest project.[edit]

Margera is a licensed helicopter pilot and a devoted follower of the horror-punk band The Misfits, whose Fiend Skull logo is tattooed on his arm. He co-wrote the theme song for Viva La Bam, and his nickname originated from the sound of a skateboard hitting the ground, bestowed by his uncle. In 2022, he was the subject of the documentary Bam Margera: Where the F*ck Is Bam?, which detailed his struggles with addiction and mental health. He previously held a Guinness World Record for the most stunts in a single film during the production of Jackass Number Two. Beyond these verified facts, local legend speaks of the Vanishing Point stunt where he drove a van off a cliff into a lake, an event that cemented his reputation for fearless performance. Another enduring story involves him skating down stairs while encased in a full-body suit of armor, symbolizing his unique blend of humor and skill. Fans also recount the narrative of Bam Margera vs. The World, where he turned his hometown streets into stages for chaos. These tales are supported by footage, though some exaggerations have crept into folklore over time.[edit]

Margera's parents, Phil and April Margera, were central figures on Viva La Bam. His older brother, Jess Margera, is the drummer for the rock band CKY. The family remains close despite Bam's struggles. He has one son, Phoenix Wolf, born in 2022 with ex-fiancée Dannii Marie. As of 2026, Margera is involved in a custody battle and has limited contact with his son. He previously owned a home in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which he sold in 2023.[edit]

Bam Margera is closely associated with the Jackass crew, particularly Ryan Dunn, his best friend who died in 2011. He frequently collaborated with childhood friends Brandon DiCamillo and Raab Himself. Jeff Tremaine, the creator of Jackass, discovered Margera through the CKY videos. Johnny Knoxville was a co-star and producer. His parents Phil and April were central to Viva La Bam, and his brother Jess is the drummer for CKY.[edit]

Margera's first serious relationship was with Jenn Rivell, whom he dated from 1999 to 2002. Their breakup inspired his film Haggard. In 2003, he began dating Melissa "Missy" Rothstein; they got engaged in 2005 and married in 2007, with the wedding documented on Bam's Unholy Union. The marriage ended in divorce in 2012, largely due to his alcoholism. He briefly dated Nicole "Nikki" Boyd from 2013 to 2015, then Jessica "Jess" Margera from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he met Dannii Marie in rehab; they got engaged in 2021 and had a son, Phoenix Wolf, in 2022. The relationship ended in 2022 with a contentious custody battle. As of 2026, Margera is reportedly single and focused on his sobriety and legal issues.[edit]

As of 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Bam Margera's net worth at $2 Million. This figure represents a steep decline from his peak earnings in the mid-2000s, when he generated an estimated $500,000 to $1 million annually from salaries on Jackass, paychecks for Viva La Bam, and endorsements from skate shoe companies including Etnies and Adio. His Heartless skateboard and clothing brand once contributed to his revenue but is now defunct. To address mounting debts, Margera sold his West Chester home in 2023 for approximately $1.2 million. Current income streams consist primarily of residual payments from reruns and streaming availability of the Jackass franchise, supplemented by occasional paid appearances. He maintains no known significant investments outside of these sources.[edit]

Bam Margera has won few traditional awards. He shared an MTV Video Music Award in 2003 for Best Video Game Soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, to which he contributed. The Jackass franchise holds multiple Guinness World Records, including Most Stunts in a Single Film for Jackass Number Two (2007). His impact is measured more in pop culture influence than trophy cases.[edit]