On paper (and often on video), Bam Margera has lived a pretty sweet life. In addition to mucking about on camera as a star member of the Jackass series of films and TV shows, he's long been a well-respected sportsman and skater. In fact, he first found fame (and a shit tonne of money) after selling a million copies of his CKY skating video series at just the age of 17.
Unfortunately, the pressures of fame (and life in general) have hit Margera over the years, and he has struggled with relationship problems and alcoholism. He hit a low following the death of close friend and Jackass co-star Ryan Dunn, who died in a tragic car accident in 2011.
So, after spending time in rehab, it's all the sweeter to see him back doing what he loves best: skating.
Credit: Element
Advert
He might have come to our attention in the UK for performing gross-out pranks and generally making his parents' life a living (if very funny) hell, but Margera cut his chops on the boards and has had a successful career in skating and as a stuntman ever since.
Now the 37-year-old is collaborating with skateboard company Element to releasing ten exclusive boards over a ten-week period. Element recently released a statement celebrating the partnership.
"Bam's natural talent on a skateboard and hilarious on-screen antics thrust him into the spotlight at a young age, making him one of the most popular and fun-to-watch skateboarders in the world," reads the statement.
"As his media career took off, millions of people around the world were exposed to skateboarding for the first time - with his larger-than-life personality inspiring an entire generation of kids to go skate.
Advert
"Welcome back, Bam."
(l-r) Bam Margera with Jackass pals Jeff Tremaine and Johnny Knoxville in 2003. Credit: PA
Before heading back to the States and getting back to work, Margera spent a year travelling around Europe with a couple of dogs, getting back to fitness, getting his head straight and just generally seeing a bit more of the world.
Advert
In a recent Viceland interview, Bam spoke openly about being paid $10,000 (£7,573) to make appearances at shows, drink shots and pose for photos with fans, but also spoke of the toll it took on his health, and how doctors warned him he would have to stop skating.
This prompted him to head to Europe to get back to skating and get healthy again. He spent a lot of time alone in far flung, remote parts of Estonia and elsewhere, and took a break from the pressures of fame and the constant glare of cameras.
Check out the interview above, as Bam speaks about his love of skating in Spain, his collection of sports cars (and the amount of times his friends have totalled them), and how he managed to build a skate ramp inside his parents house. Sound harsh? Well, he did buy it for them.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Bam Margera, Jackass