Former “Jackass” star Bam Margera has had his share of well-publicized struggles in the past year. According to TMZ, he went missing from a rehab facility on two occasions, and his parents later staged an intervention for him.
The former “Viva La Bam” star admitted on he’s an alcoholic on the podcast of “Jackass” co-star ,Steve-O. He also said he was “mesmerized” by HIM’s Ville Valo, and said seeing the singer day drink inspired him to start doing the same.
“Jackass” co-creator Johnny Knoxville was recently interviewed by Variety. Margera was fired from this year’s “Jackass Forever” film for not abiding by a contract that forbid him to use drugs. Margera said he was “better off” for not having taken part in the film to a greater degree. He makes only one brief appearance in the movie.
“I haven’t spoken to Bam in about a year and a half, give or take six months,” Knoxville told Variety.
“[Jackass director] Jeff Tremaine, Steve-O and I had a face-to-face meeting with Bam and his wife, trying to figure out how to get him help. Then we had a Zoom as a group not long after that, and that was the last time I talked to him. It boils down to: I love Bam. I know that a lot has happened. I just want him to get well for himself and his family. I love the guy, and I want him to get well and stay well.”
Knoxville was asked if Margera could ever return to the franchise. “I think that would be a discussion. I only want him to get better. That’s the first step. He has to take that step and maintain that step, because everything else is just gravy. Jackass is not important when you’re talking about someone’s life.”
Knoxville was also asked if there would be more “Jackass” in some form in the future. “We never said whether it was or wasn’t [the final film]. If we did continue, we would lean on the younger cast more. … I would have to step back because my neurologist said I can’t have any more concussions.”
The “Jackass” franchise and Margera share a close connection with hard rock, punk and heavy metal, having featured various artists in their shows and movies.
