Jackass: Best and Last is now in theaters, and while Bam Margera appears in the film, there remains some estrangement between the stunt artist and the Jackass crew, which Steve-O addressed during a recent appearance on the TMZ TV Podcast.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that there would be a fifth and final Jackass movie, and soon after, Bam Margera revealed that he would be part of the film, albeit utilizing old footage from a stunt he performed years ago. Margera had been ousted from the fourth film in the franchise after a contract violation related to his sobriety, leading to legal action and some harsh feelings between the beloved Jackass stuntman and some of the other cast and crew.
There had been hope that with Margera being back in a healthier place, some of the old wounds from being left out of the previous film would mend. However, back in January, Margera spoke with TMZ about his reluctance to have any further association outside of allowing the old footage to be used.
What Did Steve-O Say About Bam Margera’s Relationship with the Jackass Franchise?
Steve-O, one of the fellow stunt actors and a longtime member of the Jackass crew, appeared on the TMZ TV Podcast to discuss the film. During the discussion, he was asked about Bam Margera.
“It was wonderful that he agreed to be featured in this at all,” shared Steve-O. “It’s wonderful that he’s evidently in such a good place, so clear and healthy. It was so wonderful to see his parents last night for them to be there [at the Jackass: Best and Last premiere]. But that’s what we got. All we can do is root for him; we never didn’t love him. We never didn’t love him.”
While Margera’s parents, Phil and April, were in attendance, Bam himself did not attend the premiere for the film while maintaining his distance from the cast and crew.
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“I think we all wish that he could recognize what happened the last time around,” shared Steve-O. “It was, ‘Hey we love you. We tried to do everything we could to show that we love you and try to save you,’ and he just like … He knows that throughout that last movie I was the one in the corner that had his back trying to help.”
“We all thought that this was maybe going to be the opportunity to heal everything completely. And boy do I think it represented an opportunity for Bam to heal all the wounds and come back in the most powerful way,” added Steve-O.
The stunt artist, who had his own sobriety issues, then shared, “What I’ve learned from my recovery is that one of the most endearing things a person can do to earn random people’s respect is to admit they were wrong. It’s so difficult for people to admit their wrong part of the time, but if you can do that then it wins people over.”
He continued, “I just think if Bam could say, ‘Hey, you know what? I was in a really dark place with the disease and I was really sick the last time around and these guys tried to help me and they couldn’t, but it was on me…’ And he could take accountability for what happened in the past and say, ‘You know what? That’s what happened. But now I’m healthy and I’m willing to admit my part.’ THAT’s recovery. But what he’s failed to do is take accountability and he’s trying to blame [Johnny] Knoxville and [Jeff] Tremaine, and it doesn’t make sense. All they tried to do is save him; all they tried to do is help him.”
Steve-O Discusses Bam Margera on the TMZ TV Podcast
What Happened Between Bam Margera and The Jackass Franchise?
During filming for Jackass Forever, Margera was let go from the film over a violation of his contract related to his sobriety. After being dismissed from the movie, he filed a lawsuit against star Johnny Knoxville, director Jeff Tremaine, producer Spike Jonze, and the production companies behind the film.
In his suit, Margera claimed that the agreement amounted to “psychological torture,” with too many conditions he had to follow. He cited wrongful termination when it was revealed that he tested positive for Adderall, which he stated had been prescribed by doctors. However, Margera’s behavior at that time raised concern as well; Tremaine obtained a temporary restraining order after receiving disturbing messages according to PopCrush. The stunt artist had also made veiled threats against Tremaine’s family as well per ScreenCrush.
The suit was settled in 2022. However, he faced relapse issues later that year after breaking his wrist in a fall at a skatepark. Eventually things started to turn around for Margera; however, hard feelings over his dismissal from Jackass Forever appear to still remain.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug and/or alcohol dependence, help is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. To speak with someone on the phone, dial 1-800-622-HELP (1-800-622-4357) or send a text message to 1-800-487-4889.
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