Meet the Grandpa of Jackass: Phil Margera's Wild Ride

For over two decades, the world has been fascinated by the outrageous stunts and antics of the Jackass crew. Led by Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O, the group of misfits has been pushing the boundaries of physical comedy and pranks. But behind the scenes, one man has been the silent backbone of the franchise - Phil Margera, the grandfather of Jackass and the man responsible for introducing the world to his grandson, Bam. In this article, we'll delve into the wild ride of Phil Margera's life, from his early days as a mechanic to his current status as the grandpa of Jackass.

Phil Margera was born on April 6, 1966, in Darby, Pennsylvania. Growing up, he was a thrill-seeker, always looking for the next big adrenaline rush. After dropping out of high school, Margera began working as a mechanic, eventually opening his own shop. But it was his family ties that would ultimately bring him to the world of entertainment. In the 1990s, Margera's son, Jess, began working with MTV, and it was through this connection that he met his future wife, April. The couple's marriage would eventually produce a son, Brandon "Bam" Margera, who would become a key member of the Jackass crew.

The Early Days of Jackass

In the late 1990s, Bam Margera began working on a series of videos with his friends, including Ryan Dunn, Preston Lacy, and Wee Man. The group's antics quickly caught the attention of Johnny Knoxville, who would later become a key member of the Jackass crew. In 2000, Knoxville and Margera joined forces to create the first Jackass film, a low-budget, R-rated comedy that would go on to gross over $100 million at the box office.

But it was Margera who played the role of the lovable, gruff grandfather - always looking out for his grandson, but also pushing him to take risks and push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. "Phil's always been a bit of a wild card," Knoxville said in an interview with Rolling Stone. "He's got a great sense of humor, but he's also got a bit of a crazy streak. That's what made him the perfect fit for Jackass."

Bam's Big Break

For Bam Margera, joining the Jackass crew was a dream come true. Growing up, he had always been fascinated by the world of skateboarding and thrill-seeking, and the Jackass crew embodied that spirit. "My grandpa's always been a huge influence on me," Bam said in an interview with The Guardian. "He taught me how to fix cars, how to ride a bike - all the basics. But he also showed me that it's okay to take risks and push the boundaries."

As Jackass began to take off, Margera's role within the group expanded. He became a sort of surrogate grandfather to the entire crew, always ready with a piece of advice or a well-timed insult. "Phil's always been the glue that holds us together," Dunn said in an interview with People Magazine. "He's the one who keeps us grounded, even when we're getting into some pretty crazy stuff."

The Dark Side of Jackass

As Jackass continued to gain momentum, the crew's antics became increasingly outrageous. The group began to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable, often incorporating elements of danger and risk into their stunts. But it was Margera who remained the voice of reason, always cautioning his grandson and the rest of the crew to be careful and to think before they act.

In 2009, tragedy struck when Ryan Dunn, one of the original members of the Jackass crew, died in a car accident. The incident was a sobering reminder of the risks that came with the group's antics, and Margera's response was typical. "I'm heartbroken," he said in a statement at the time. "Ryan was like a brother to me, and to the rest of the crew. We're all going to miss him dearly."

The Legacy of Jackass

Today, Phil Margera is still a fixture on the Jackass scene, although his role has evolved over the years. He's no longer the young, wild man he once was, but he's still got a spark in his eye and a penchant for getting into trouble. "I'm not as crazy as I used to be," he said in an interview with The A.V. Club. "But I'm still up for anything, as long as it's fun and safe."

As for Bam, he's continued to work on various projects, including the TV series "Viva La Bam" and the film "Haggard." He's also become a bit of a solo artist, releasing his own music and collaborating with other artists. "My grandpa's always been a huge influence on me," Bam said in an interview with Billboard. "He taught me how to be myself and how to take risks. I'll always be grateful for that."

The Future of Jackass

In 2010, Jackass 3D was released, a 3D film that continued the group's tradition of outrageous stunts and pranks. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $150 million at the box office. But it was also a bit of a farewell to the old Jackass crew, as many of the original members had moved on to other projects.

Today, the Jackass franchise is still going strong, with new films and TV shows in development. But Margera's role within the group has changed. He's no longer the young, wild man he once was, but he's still got a spark in his eye and a penchant for getting into trouble. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished," he said in an interview with Variety. "But I'm also excited to see what the future holds. I'm still up for anything, as long as it's fun and safe."

Conclusion

Phil Margera's life is a testament to the power of taking risks and pushing the boundaries. From his early days as a mechanic to his current status as the grandpa of Jackass, Margera has always been a wild card. But it's his influence on his grandson, Bam, that's truly remarkable. "My grandpa's taught me how to be myself and how to take risks," Bam said in an interview with Rolling Stone. "I'll always be grateful for that." As for Margera, he's still going strong, always looking for the next big adventure and always ready to offer a piece of advice or a well-timed insult.