Jackass star Bam Margera has been struggling with his health in recent months, and now co-star Steve-O has spoken out.
This comes just weeks after he was reportedly “fighting for life” after being put on a ventilator.
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Born in 1979, Brandon Cole Margera is better known as Jackass’s Bam.
He rose to fame on the prank and stunt television show, which first aired in 2000 as a television show, then went on to bring the world three hugely successful movies.
He was one of the youngest cast members and was loved for his mischevious charm and boyish good looks.
But there was another reason that people loved Bam so much – his adorable relationship with best pal, Ryan Dunn.
But huge tragedy struck the Jackass boys.
In 2011, Ryan Dunn was driving under the influence of alcohol and crashed his car in Pennsylvania. There were 2 fatalities – Dunn, and passenger, Zachary Hartwell.
Since this horrifying loss, Bam has been in a downward spiral.
He’s displayed persistently more and more erratic behavior, including increased reliance on drugs and alcohol, and pretty bizarre and frightening mood swings.
He has been repeatedly checked into facilities for addiction issues and a suspected personality disorder.
It’s believed that this is against his will and at the insistence of worried family members.
Many of Bam’s Jackass co-stars have spoken out.
Chris Pontius, left a heartfelt public comment, saying: “To Everybody asking the Jackass Guys to help Bam, We are trying and have been, but no matter how loudly help screams his name, it’s up him to want to be better and not somebody who publicly degrades their Wife and Mother and takes accountability for it. I wouldn’t write this publicly, but we all get told to go help Bam so much, I might as well answer.”
Bam has admitted that some of his problems are also caused by himself.
He claimed that his brain never switches off and that he stays up for days on end even when he isn’t using.
However, he never seems to manage to stay in one facility for long.
According to the manager of the rehab center, Bam wasn’t getting the quality of care that he expected from their services and told the manager that he would be leaving to attend another rehab center.
He later left the site in a black sedan, as per TMZ, but it appears he never showed up or checked himself into another facility.
Bam was under a court order to attend the facility and hadn’t been given permission to leave the premises, which is what prompted staff to inform the police.
Despite this, Bam wasn’t listed as a risk to himself or the public, and it has been suggested by sources that he left due to restrictions put in place by the facility.
The source close to Bam also stated that he recently got into an argument with his wife, which may have been what caused the impulsive decision.
Bam has struggled with substance abuse for a long time, with his former Jackass co-stars trying to get him on the straight and narrow for years.
This recent news has left many fans worried about his safety. One concerned fan wrote: “Damnit man… even if you don’t want to go back please stay focused on sobriety.”
Another frustrated fan commented on the news, writing: “JUST GO BACK AND FINISH THE PROGRAM. DAMN!”
“Some people just don’t want the help. If he doesn’t want to get clean then they need to leave him be. It’s really sad to see people struggling with addiction but until they take the right steps to get clean or get locked up and forced to get then he will continue to use,” a third wrote.
Then, 2 days after Bam went missing, he was found hiding out in a hotel close by.
According to TMZ, he was located by police after spending the last few nights in a hotel in Delrey Beach after fleeing the site.
Along with a crisis intervention team, they managed to escort Bam back to the facility to resume his court-ordered treatment.
It seemed to be a minor setback in his overall recovery.
Fans were understandably relieved by his return to the program, with some sharing their support for the star online…
One Facebook user wrote: “I hope he gets to experience how wonderful life can be clean & sober! I’m one of your cheerleaders Bam!! You can do it.”
Another commented: “Mannn. I’m rooting for you Bam.
“I really do hope you find peace and get clean. You and your family deserve it.”
However, news then emerged that Bam had been reported missing again.
According to TMZ, Bam was being searched for by police in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
And following this, he was hospitalized.
He was sent to an ICU in San Diego, following complications after a COVID diagnosis.
Bam also had pneumonia, which complicated his recovery.
His condition was so bad he was put on a ventilator.
But then, Bam offered us a heartwarming update.
He was finally out of the hospital.
Fans were thrilled with the news…
“Glad you’re good, had us all scared!” wrote one.
“So glad you’re feeling better man. continue on your road to recovery,” another added.
While a third wrote: “DAMMIT DUDE DON’T SCARE US LIKE THAT!”
On December 11, he shared a photo on Instagram of himself with a friend.
“I’m out!” the caption read. “Thank you to my friends, family and you for the love, support and prayers.”
You can see his post here.
But nearly a month later, Bam revealed what really went on during his time in hospital.
And it seemed as though things were much worse than fans had feared.
“Basically, I was pronounced dead on December 8th,” he said on “Steve-O’s Wild Ride!” podcast.
“I did not know that I had gnarly COVID and my body was shutting down.
“I went into four seizures, each one lasting 10 to 20 minutes.
“On the fourth one I bit my tongue so hard it was nearly fallen off.
“It got so swollen and puffy it wouldn’t fit in my mouth.
“I was drinking the infected blood which gave me pneumonia as well.
“I went to the hospital and had my fifth seizure and then couldn’t breathe without a tube down my throat. I woke up five days later thinking I was there for just a couple hours.
“I spent eight days in there.”
Bam concluded: “When they took that tube out I felt like I sucked on Darth Vader’s d***.”
And now, Steve-O has opened up about his feelings on the issue.
“One arm is a best friend who had my f**king back all along, another arm is a poser,” Bam wrote in a now-deleted Instagram.
“A pro creation thief. If Jeff Tremaine was in this photo, he would be to 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.”
And Steve-O couldn’t resist responding.
“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- 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,” he wrote in a since-deleted comment.
“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’ve tried everything I can, but I can’t force you to get honest and do the work of 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.”
“You’re dying, brother, and it sucks that I can’t do anything to save you.”
What do you think of Steve-O’s comments?