Early Life and Education of Bam Margera: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Bam Margera, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Bam Margera is an American former professional skateboarder, stunt performer, television personality, and filmmaker known for his role on MTV's Jackass and its related films. He gained further recognition through his spin-off shows like Viva La Bam, Bam's Unholy Union, and others. Margera also wrote and directed the films Haggard and Minghags, solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 28, 1979: Bam Margera's Birth

On September 28, 1979, Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera was born. He is an American former professional skateboarder, stunt performer, television personality, and filmmaker.

1991: Travels to Love Park

As early as 1991, Bam Margera, at age 12, used to travel with his brother Jess to Love Park in Philadelphia.

1993: First Video Camera and Digital Media Class

In 1993, Bam Margera received his first video camera from his father and enrolled in a digital media class, where he met future collaborators and began shooting homemade videos that evolved into the CKY video series.

1994: Dropping Out of High School

In 1994, Margera dropped out of high school in order to pursue a full-time skateboarding career.

September 21, 1995: Car Accident

On September 21, 1995, Margera, his brother Jess, Dunn and Raab were involved in a serious car accident near their hometown of West Chester, PA. Margera revealed that Raab had "forced him" to wear a seatbelt as the car was going nearly 100 mph (160 km/h), and that doing so probably saved his life.

1998: Relationship with Jenn Rivell Begins

In 1998, Bam Margera began a long-term relationship with Jenn Rivell, who played a prominent part in several of his projects.

2004: Purchase of Castle Bam

In 2004, Bam Margera bought his former home, known as "Castle Bam", in Pocopson Township, Pennsylvania. It was often featured on Viva La Bam.

2005: Relationship with Jenn Rivell Ends

In 2005, Bam Margera's seven-year relationship with Jenn Rivell ended. The couple had been regularly living together in Margera's home by the time of Viva La Bam.

November 2006: Files for Protection from Abuse

In November 2006, Bam Margera filed for "protection from abuse" from Jenn Rivell after she allegedly broke into his house.

2006: Engagement to Melissa Rothstein

In 2006, Bam Margera became engaged to childhood friend Melissa "Missy" Rothstein.

January 2007: Ramp Built at Castle Bam

In January 2007, Bam Margera built a ramp in the backyard of Castle Bam, causing trouble with the township.

February 3, 2007: Wedding to Melissa Rothstein

On February 3, 2007, Bam Margera married Melissa "Missy" Rothstein in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The events leading up to the wedding were chronicled on the MTV series Bam's Unholy Union. The couple spent their honeymoon in Dubai.

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October 24, 2007: Considering Name Change

On October 24, 2007, Bam Margera stated that although he completed paperwork to legally change his first name to Bam, he was "still debating" filing it.

2007: Drinking Habits Worsened After Shows Ended

In 2007, Bam Margera's drinking habits worsened after his previous shows ended.

September 2008: Margera Opens "The Note"

In late September 2008, Bam Margera opened a bar/theater called "The Note" in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

2008: Margera Discusses Wedding Damages

In 2008, during an appearance on LA Ink, Bam Margera told Kat Von D that he caused $13,000 in damages during his wedding celebration.

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July 2009: Hospitalized After Alcohol Binge

In July 2009, Bam Margera was taken to the hospital by paramedics and state troopers after a four-day alcohol binge.

December 2009: First Rehab Attempt

In December 2009, Bam Margera entered rehab for the first time after an intervention from his friends and family, but left after only four days.

June 12, 2010: Allegedly Attacked with Baseball Bat

On June 12, 2010, Bam Margera was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat outside his bar, The Note, and treated for head injuries. The alleged assailant claimed Margera used a racial slur, which Margera denies.

October 2010: Living Separately from Rothstein

In October 2010, Bam Margera told Howard Stern that he and Melissa Rothstein were living in separate cities and meeting once a week, and that Rothstein knew about Bam's other girlfriends.

2011: Drinking Intensified After Ryan Dunn's Death

Following his close friend Ryan Dunn's death in 2011, Bam Margera's drinking intensified even further.

November 2012: Divorce from Melissa Rothstein

In November 2012, Bam Margera and Melissa Rothstein officially divorced.

2012: Rental Car Dispute in Iceland

During a vacation in Iceland in 2012, Bam Margera rented a Toyota Land Cruiser, which he returned in "terrible shape" five days later, and left the country before paying for the damage.

2012: Drinking Out of Control

In 2012, Bam Margera considers this the year he lost control of his drinking, due to Ryan Dunn's death and bone spurs forcing him to put his skating career on hold.

July 2013: Arrest at Keflavík Airport in Iceland

In July 2013, Bam Margera was arrested at Keflavík Airport in Iceland for leaving the country without paying damages from a rental car dispute the year before.

October 5, 2013: Marriage to Nicole Boyd

On October 5, 2013, Bam Margera married Nicole Boyd in Reykjavík, Iceland.

January 2014: "The Note" Closes

In January 2014, "The Note", Bam Margera's bar/theater in West Chester, Pennsylvania, closed its doors due to issues with the West Chester Borough Council.

2015: Second Rehab Attempt and Family Therapy

In 2015, Bam Margera entered rehab for a second time for alcoholism but left shortly after. He later took part in Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn on VH1 and remained sober for several months.

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March 2016: Appearance on Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn

In March 2016, Bam Margera and his parents appeared on the VH1 reality television show Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn to address Bam's self-destructive behavior.

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2016: Relocation to Barcelona

In late 2016, Bam Margera relocated to Barcelona, Spain, with his family to focus on his skating career.

June 2017: Boyd's Pregnancy Announced

In June 2017, Bam Margera announced that Nicole Boyd was pregnant with the couple's first child.

November 2017: Discussed Health Issues in The Nine Club Interview

In November 2017, Bam Margera discussed his health issues and alcoholism at length in an interview with YouTube series The Nine Club.

January 2018: Third Rehab Attempt

In January 2018, Bam Margera entered rehab for the third time after a DUI and remained sober for seven months.

2018: Castle Bam Renovations

In 2018, April Margera began renovating Castle Bam to be used for short-term rentals via Airbnb. Rentals were expected to be available in 2018.

January 2019: Fourth Rehab Attempt

In January 2019, Bam Margera entered rehab once more but left after ten days, stating that he "didn't belong there".

March 2019: Mental Health Treatment

In March 2019, TMZ released a video showing Bam Margera screaming at and threatening his manager. He was committed to a mental health treatment facility for a week after concerning behavior.

August 3, 2019: Removed from Flight and Pleads for Dr. Phil's Help

On August 3, 2019, Bam Margera was removed from a commercial airline flight for intoxication. He then publicly pleaded for Dr. Phil's help on Instagram.

May 25, 2021: Jeff Tremaine Files Restraining Order Against Margera

On May 25, 2021, Jeff Tremaine filed a temporary restraining order against Bam Margera, due to the latter's harassment of both Tremaine and Knoxville via Instagram.

September 16, 2021: Boyd Files for Child Custody

On September 16, 2021, Nicole Boyd filed for child custody of their son Phoenix Wolf, but did not file a divorce petition.

May 17, 2022: Announces One Year of Sobriety

On May 17, 2022, Bam Margera announced that he had officially completed one year of sobriety treatment.

June 26, 2022: Reported Missing After Fleeing Rehab (Second Time)

On June 26, 2022, Bam Margera was reported missing after fleeing his rehab center for the second time.

June 27, 2022: Checked in to New Treatment Facility

On June 27, 2022, Bam Margera was again found and checked in to a new treatment facility.

September 4, 2022: Spotted at a Bar After Fleeing Rehab

On September 4, 2022, Bam Margera was spotted at a bar after fleeing rehab once again.

September 25, 2022: Caught Intoxicated in a Bar

On September 25, 2022, Bam Margera was reported to be caught intoxicated in a bar in Atlanta, Georgia, amid rehab problems.

December 9, 2022: Hospitalized Due to Pneumonia and COVID-19

On December 9, 2022, Bam Margera was hospitalized and put on a ventilator in a San Diego ICU due to a combination of pneumonia and COVID-19. He also suffered from four seizures before hospitalization and another during his stay.

February 15, 2023: Boyd Files for Legal Separation

On February 15, 2023, Nicole Boyd officially filed for legal separation and spousal support, citing "irreconcilable differences".

March 2, 2023: Arrest for Domestic Violence

On March 2, 2023, Bam Margera was arrested for domestic violence, after he allegedly kicked a woman. He was released from custody after posting bail the next day.

March 29, 2023: Arrested for Public Intoxication

On March 29, 2023, Bam Margera was arrested for public intoxication.

April 23, 2023: Police Dispatch and Alleged Death Threats

On April 23, 2023, police were dispatched to Bam Margera's home after he allegedly made death threats to his brother and punched him. Margera reportedly fled on foot into the woods when police arrived and eventually surrendered to Pennsylvania Police.

May 26, 2023: Wants Judge to Dismiss Divorce

On May 26, 2023, Bam Margera wanted a judge to dismiss his divorce with his wife Nikki, claiming she is not allowing him to see their son.

June 1, 2023: Threatens to Smoke Crack on Instagram

On June 1, 2023, Bam Margera posted a video to Instagram threatening to smoke crack until he is dead unless he sees his son.

June 7, 2023: Psychiatric Hold at Los Angeles Mental Health Facility

Around June 7, 2023, Bam Margera was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold at a Los Angeles mental health facility, following disturbing text messages to family and erratic behavior.