Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera, born on September 28, 1979, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is an American former professional skateboarder, television personality, and filmmaker. He is best known for his role in the MTV reality stunt show *Jackass* and its subsequent films. Margera is the brother of Jess Margera, the drummer for the band CKY, and has garnered attention for his unique persona both on and off the screen.

Margera did not graduate from high school but earned his GED. As a skateboarder, he achieved a level of recognition by being part of Element Skateboards’ demonstration team, Team Element. Although he is not a high-level competitive skateboarder, his engaging personality and frequent appearances in videos have led to several sponsorships. Margera is notable for being the thirteenth skater to successfully land "The Loop" in Phoenix, Arizona.

In his early twenties, Margera began producing the CKY series, which features skateboard stunts performed with friends, and which started releasing in 1999. This series became a stepping stone for his involvement in *Jackass*. After the success of *Jackass*, he created his own show, *Viva La Bam*, which aired on MTV for five seasons and involved absurd stunts performed by Margera and his friends to meet random challenges.

Through the years, Margera has been involved in several film projects, including directing and co-writing *Haggard* (2003), an independent film inspired by his late friend Ryan Dunn, and its loose sequel *Minghags* (2009). He also released a Christmas-themed movie, *Bam Margera Presents: Where the#$&% Is Santa?* (2008), which followed Margera and friends on a quest in the Arctic Circle to find Santa Claus.

In addition to his television and film work, Margera has directed music videos for various bands and has formed his own record label, Filthy Note Records. He is a competent musician, having played in the novelty band Gnarkill and participated in other musical projects, including *Fuckface Unstoppable* and *The Evesdroppers*. Moreover, he has made cameo appearances in several films and has been featured as a character in the * Tony Hawk's* video game series.

Margera also hosted *Radio Bam*, a weekly show on Sirius Satellite Radio that began in 2004, featuring discussions with friends from CKY and *Jackass*. Despite facing challenges, including the closure of his bar "The Note" in West Chester due to regulatory issues, he has continued to remain active in various media endeavors. As of 2024, Margera is engaged in making an autobiographical documentary that focuses on his life and recovery following the death of his friend Ryan Dunn. This project remains on hold, further underscoring his complex journey through fame and personal challenges.