Steve-O said that he can’t save his ‘dying’ Jackass co-star Bam Margera.
The pair are founding members of a famous stunt crew, alongside Johnny Knoxville, Ryan Dunn and Chris Pontius.
Jackass, both a TV show and movie franchise, is extremely popular, with the films grossing more than $570 million at the box office.
Margera’s troubling comments, though, have left Steve-O fearing the worst for his old friend.
This isn’t the first time Bam Margera’s fans and loved ones have been left feeling concerned for the star.
The 44-year-old has been battling alcoholism and subsequent legal troubles since the mid-2000s and, when his best friend and Jackass co-star, Ryan Dunn, was tragically killed in a 2011 car accident aged just 34, Margera’s drinking and drug use intensified.
In a 2016 episode of Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn, Margera said of this time: “That’s when it wasn’t even drinking for the fun or for the social part of it. It was just drinking because [of] total depression, kinda,” Us Weekly reports.
After several short stints in rehab and run-ins with the law, Margera’s mom spoke to Page Six, urging the public not to judge her son for his personal problems.
“Everybody has a different story and everybody is going through different things,” she said. “There are going to be hiccups when you’re battling addiction. You’re not going to be 100 percent successful the first time.”
In 2021, it was revealed that Bam Margera had been fired from Jackass 4 after reportedly breaching his contract.
Sources told TMZ that the star was presented with a handful of conditions that he was told he needed to abide by such as routine drug tests, committing to staying sober and seeing a psychologist while on the job, and Margera failed to meet his side of the bargain.
It was this firing that led Steve-O to say that he can’t save his ‘dying’ friend.
The TV personality and stunt-performer made the comments in response to Margera’s Instagram post slamming Jackass co-creators Jeff Tremaine and Johnny Knoxville.
Alongside a photo showing Knoxville, Margera and Steve-O, Margera wrote: “One arm is a best friend who had my f***ing back all along, another arm is a poser. A pro-creation thief.
“If Jeff Tremaine was in this photo, he would be too greedy to fit.
“F**k jeff. Remember I tattooed that on me long ago, Jeff? It’s because I knew who you were all along.”
He then added: “Steve-O much love and respect.”
Margera had a huge falling out with Tremaine and Knoxville after he was axed from the Jackass Forever movie, but had been opening for Steve-O during his Bucket List comedy tour.
Evidently concerned for his friend, Steve-O commented on Margera’s post saying that he wants to help him, but can’t and that ‘sucks.’
In a now-deleted comment, he wrote: “Bam, last night you had your five-year-old son with you on stage at my show, and you were blessed with the chance to spend another day or two with him.”
Steve-O continued: “Then as soon as you left my show, you stayed up all night getting loaded enough to think it was a good idea to post more vile nonsense like this.
“I hope you understand how awful that is. You say you want to have a relationship with your son, but your actions guarantee the exact opposite will happen.
“I brought you on tour with me in hopes that I could get you to see what’s possible for you if you choose recovery.
“I wish you could know how much I’ve hated feeling braced for news of your death, but you’re making it clear that I have no other choice.
In December last year, Margera shared that he was over 100 days sober.
Taking to Instagram, Steve-O celebrated the huge milestone his co-star had reached.
“I lost contact with my old buddy [Bam Margera] a while back and, even though we had a comical ‘beef’ since then, I was never even remotely mad at him.
“It’s been awesome to hear about him celebrating more than 125 days of continuous sobriety— that’s a big deal… Congrats, Bam!”
Commenting on Steve-O’s post, Johnny also congratulated Margera, writing: “Really happy for Bam Bam’s 125 days of sobriety. I and we love you and are rooting for you.”
On September 16th 2024, however, Margera was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police,
According to Chester County court documents, he was reportedly charged with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, summary reckless driving and other related offenses.
Margera is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing for violating his probation, CBS reports.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-4357 in the U.S.A.
In the U.K., you can contact FRANK at 0300 123 6600 or http://talktofrank.com for confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects, and the law.
