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The Camp Kill Yourself crew (referred to as the CKY crew) was a group of friends and relatives centered on television personality and skateboarder Bam Margera, many of whom are from or located in and around West Chester, Pennsylvania. The crew was active from Landspeed presents: CKY (1999) to Minghags: The Movie (2009). Some members of the crew were skateboarders, while others were involved either on-camera or behind-the-scenes in Margera's various projects such as the CKY videos, Jackass, Viva La Bam, Haggard: The Movie, Bam's Unholy Union, Minghags: The Movie, and Radio Bam.

The CKY crew was closely linked to the band CKY, which features Bam's brother Jess Margera on drums. Music by the band was often featured in video projects that members of the crew were involved with.

Main crew

[edit]
Bam Margera in 2006
  • Bam Margera – Former professional skateboarder for Element Skateboarding. Starred in hit movie series Jackass and his own reality TV shows Viva La Bam and Bam's Unholy Union. Has since struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and has been in and out of rehab.
  • Ryan Dunn – Was part of both the CKY and Jackass crews. He and Margera participated in the Gumball 3000 three times in the years 2005, 2006 and 2008. Dunn also starred in Margera's directorial debut, Haggard: The Movie. Dunn died in a drunk-driving incident in 2011.
  • Brandon DiCamillo – Was responsible for the shopping carts skit and wrote all the skits and stunts with Margera while making the CKY videos. DiCamillo was known for playing various characters in movies and in the CKY videos. He was one of the groomsmen at Margera's wedding. After 2009's Minghags, DiCamillo has not appeared in any CKY related project. It is believed he decided to move out of the public eye. This was confirmed by Joe Frantz in 2017,[1] stating that DiCamillo formally renounced his affiliation with the CKY crew years prior in order to live a more private life with his wife and children.
  • Raab Himself (real name Chris Raab) – Appeared in all of the CKY videos. Raab left the crew shortly after the filming of Viva La Bam in 2005 after having a dispute with Margera for unknown reasons. This was later cleared up by Raab, stating the reason he left was to live a more sober lifestyle.[2] He released his movie Hotdog Casserole in 2008. Raab made his most recent appearance in MTV's CKY: The Greatest Hits alongside the other main CKY crew members in 2014. Raab is the only CKY crew member involved in Jackass Forever and Jackass 4.5, which were both released in 2022. He was a camera operator for both films and had a brief appearance in Jackass Forever.
  • Rake Yohn (real name Edward Webb) – Known for his long hair, love for heavy metal music, and strong dislike of mustard. He is a chemist after receiving his BS at Penn State. Alongside DiCamillo, he co-hosted the show Blastazoid. They also both appear in Raab's movies Hotdog Casserole and Borrowed Happiness.
  • Jess Margera – Bam's elder brother. He plays drums for CKY, Gnarkill, Viking Skull, and The Company Band. Jess was Bam's best man at his wedding.

The Margeras

[edit]
  • April Margera – Bam's mother
  • Phil Margera – Bam's father
  • Don Vito (real name Vincent Margera) – Bam's uncle. He died of liver and kidney failure in 2015.
  • Ruthie Margera a.k.a. "Boof" – Bam's aunt and Phil's sister. Appeared in Viva La Bam and Minghags: The Movie.[3] She died in 2021.
  • Darlene Margera a.k.a. "Mum-Mum" or "Mom-Mom" – She is Phil and Vincent's mother, April's mother-in-law and the grandmother of Jess and Bam Margera. She made a few appearances on Viva La Bam, Bam's Unholy Union, and in the CKY videos. She died in 2007.
  • Phillip Margera Sr.[4] a.k.a. "Pop-Pop" – The father of Phil Margera and Don Vito. Appeared in Viva La Bam, Bam's Unholy Union, Haggard: The Movie, and Minghags: The Movie. He is credited for giving Brandon Margera the "Bam" nickname. He died in 2021.

Others

[edit]
  • Chris Aspite a.k.a. Hoofbité – He is a professional skateboarder. He co-wrote Haggard: The Movie along with Bam and Brandon DiCamillo. He attended the University of Pittsburgh.
  • Dave Battaro a.k.a. Lord Battaro – He and Brandon DiCamillo roomed together before. He played the "Mustard Man" in CKY4.
  • Matt Cole a.k.a. "Shitbirdz" – Bam's maternal uncle. Cole plays guitar for Gnarkill. He has appeared in Bam's Unholy Union and was a regular on Radio Bam. He was one of the groomsmen in Bam's wedding. He also appeared in Bam Margera Presents: Where the#$&% Is Santa?, and briefly toured with CKY as a keyboardist.
  • Dave Decurtis a.k.a. Naked Dave. – He appears naked in Margera's works (hence the nickname). A stunt of him running naked in front of a van was featured on Jackass and originally appeared on CKY. He usually has clothes on only when not filming.
  • Jason Ellis – Pro-skater. He has appeared in Viva La Bam and Haggard: The Movie. He had a show on SpikeTV called The Wild World of Spike. He is currently the host of the Jason Ellis Show.
  • Joe Frantz – Under Bam's direction, Frantz has served multiple roles as producer and director of photography on the independent films Haggard and Minghags, the CKY video series (CKY3 and CKY4), and music videos for HIM, CKY, and The 69 Eyes (as well as other popular bands). Frantz is also one of the cameramen behind Jackass Number Two, Jackass 2.5, Jackass 3D and Jackass 3.5. He was also in the show Blastazoid with Rake Yohn and Brandon DiCamillo. Frantz is known for the on-screen appearances he has made in the works he produces, in television shows and films such as Viva La Bam, Bam's Unholy Union, the CKY video series, and Bam Margera Presents: Where the#$&% Is Santa?. He also is a collaborative co-author of the book Dreamseller, which he wrote with MTV/Jackass personality Brandon Novak.
  • Ryan Gee a.k.a. "Shitgoose" and "The Gill" – He is a professional photographer who works with Bam on many of his projects including the behind-the-scenes footage for Minghags.
  • Kerry Getz a.k.a. "Hockey Temper" – Pro-skater known for his tantrums while skateboarding, which is why he is nicknamed "Hockey Temper" in the first CKY video.
  • Chad I Ginsburg – CKY's guitarist. He was one of the groomsmen at Bam's wedding. Operates the soundboard on Radio Bam. He also appeared in Bam's Unholy Union and Where the #$&% is Santa?.
  • Chris and Mark Hanna – Brothers. Chris is involved with Bam's work and managed CKY on the Viva La Bands tour. They both used to be neighbors with the Margeras. Mark was good friends with Bam and appears in CKY 3, the CKY Documentary, Haggard: The Movie, Viva La Bam, Minghags and Where the #$&% is Santa?. Mark has also been a drum tech for CKY on various tours.
  • Tony Hawk a.k.a. "Birdman" – Professional skateboarding legend. Has made several appearances on Viva La Bam.
  • Terry Kennedy a.k.a. "Compton Ass Terry" – Professional skateboarder. He appeared on Viva La Bam and appeared in Minghags.
  • Mike Maldonado – Professional skater who has appeared in the CKY videos.
  • Deron Miller – Ex-CKY singer / guitarist. Has appeared off and on in Bam's projects. He is married to Felissa Rose, star of the horror movie Sleepaway Camp, which CKY used a screenshot from for the album artwork of their Disengage the Simulator EP and other merchandise. They have three children together.
  • Tim Glomb – A skilled carpenter and construction worker with a knack for skateboard park building. He made several appearances in the first few seasons of Viva La Bam and towards the end had become a regular. During Viva La Bam, in the first episode, he built skateboarding ramps all over the interior and exterior of Bam's house. He is credited on Where the #$&% is Santa? for helping with the story. He now splits his time between Denver, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
  • Brandon Novak – Former pro-skater & Bam's childhood friend. Appeared in Haggard as a drug dealer while battling his own addictions. The documentary for Haggard ended up being about him and Ryan Dunn confronting him about it. He was a regular on Bam's Unholy Union and was one of Bam's groomsmen. He had small roles in Bam's other projects as well, including Jackass and Minghags.
  • Tim O'Connor – He has appeared in many episodes of Viva La Bam. He has also appeared in the CKY videos. Tim was a "MADE" coach on MTV's Made.
  • Mike Vallely a.k.a. "Mike V" – Professional skateboarder. He appeared in several CKY movies and Viva La Bam episodes.
  • Jenn Rivell – Bam's longtime girlfriend. She appeared in all CKY videos and first three seasons of Viva la Bam. After they broke up in 2005, she broke into Castle Bam and smashed all of his computers and editing equipment.
  • Art Webb – Rake Yohn's brother. He is credited as "Art Webb 1986" because of his love for music in that particular year. Art's longest known speaking part comes in an unscripted tirade in the documentary in the Haggard: The Movie bonus features when he professes his willingness to act as Tony Hawk's bodyguard. He now runs a podcast called "Gamecasa". Art also played a speaking role in the video game Trials 2 along with Brandon DiCamillo and Rake Yohn.
  • Vernon Zaborowski – Former bassist for CKY. He was featured briefly in the CKY video series. Vern briefly reunited with the band to perform one song at the San Jose stop of Warped Tour 2017.

Reunions

[edit]

In 2011, a few members of the crew briefly reunited for MTV's tribute to the late Ryan Dunn. Bam Margera, Jess Margera, Rake Yohn, and Chris Raab were all featured in the special.

On November 2, 2014, MTV aired a special called CKY: The Greatest Hits. It featured new interviews with Bam Margera, Jess Margera, Rake Yohn, Chris Raab, April Margera, Phil Margera, Dave Battaro and Joe Frantz. With special appearances from Johnny Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine, Kerry Getz and Tim O'Connor. The special also featured unreleased footage documenting the series as a whole. It was directed by longtime CKY crew member and cinematographer Joe Frantz.[5]

In 2018, Chris Raab featured many of the crew members on his "Bathroom Break" podcast. Guests included: Brandon Novak, Joe Frantz, Bam Margera, Rake Yohn, Deron Miller, April Margera, Phil Margera, Jess Margera, Dave Battaro and Vernon Zaborowski.[6] Brandon DiCamillo reportedly declined to appear.[7]

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Year Film Main members involved
1999 Landspeed presents: CKY Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Chris Raab, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera
2000 CKY2K
2001 CKY3
CKY Documentary
2002 CKY4: The Latest & Greatest
Jackass: The Movie
2003 Haggard: The Movie
2005 The Dudesons Movie Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Chris Raab, Rake Yohn
A Halfway House Christmas Ryan Dunn, Rake Yohn
2006 Jackass Number Two Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo (cameo), Jess Margera (cameo)
2007 Dunn & Vito's Rock Tour Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo
3000 Miles Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn
Jackass 2.5 Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera
2008 Hotdog Casserole Chris Raab, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn
Bam Margera Presents: Where the #$&% Is Santa? Bam Margera, Jess Margera
2009 Minghags: The Movie Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera
2010 Jackass 3D Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Rake Yohn (cameo), Jess Margera (cameo)
2011 Jackass 3.5
2012 Cattle Bag Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn
2013 Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa Chris Raab (production assistant)
2014 Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5
Borrowed Happiness Chris Raab, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera (musician)
2020 Steve-O: Gnarly Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn (archive footage)
2022 Jackass Forever Chris Raab (cameo and cameraman), Bam Margera (cameo), Ryan Dunn (archived footage), Brandon DiCamillo (archived footage), Rake Yohn (archived footage)
Jackass 4.5 Chris Raab (cameraman), Ryan Dunn (archive footage)
TBA The Brandon Novak Story Bam Margera, Chris Raab, Ryan Dunn (archived footage)

Television

[edit]
Year Title Main members involved
2000–2001 Jackass Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Chris Raab, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera
2002 Jackass Backyard BBQ Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo (archived footage)
2003 Jackass Winterjam Special Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn
2003–2006 Viva La Bam Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Chris Raab, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera
2005 Commando VIP Ryan Dunn
Homewrecker
2006 The Dudesons season 1 Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Chris Raab, Rake Yohn
Blastazoid Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn
2007 Bam's Unholy Union Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Jess Margera, Ryan Dunn (3 episodes)
2008 Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover Bam Margera, Jess Margera, Ryan Dunn (archived footage), Brandon DiCamillo (archived footage)
Bamimation Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamillo, Ryan Dunn, Rake Yohn
2009 The Dudesons season 3 Bam Margera
2010 The Dudesons in America Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn
Bam's World Domination
2011 Proving Ground Ryan Dunn
A Tribute to Ryan Dunn Bam Margera, Rake Yohn, Chris Raab, Jess Margera, Ryan Dunn (archived footage), Brandon DiCamillo (archived footage)
2014 Bam's Bad Ass Game Show Bam Margera
CKY: The Greatest Hits Bam Margera, Rake Yohn, Chris Raab, Jess Margera, Ryan Dunn (archived footage), Brandon DiCamillo (archived footage)
2017 Epicly Later'd: Bam Margera Bam Margera, Chris Raab, Ryan Dunn (archived footage), Brandon DiCamillo (archived footage), Rake Yohn (archived footage), Jess Margera (archived footage)

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

CKY crew

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The CKY crew, short for Camp Kill Yourself, was a group of skateboarders, filmmakers, and friends from , who rose to prominence in the late 1990s through their homemade stunt videos blending , pranks, and absurd humor. Founded primarily by professional skateboarder alongside core members including , , (known as Raab Himself), , , and , the crew originated from the local '90s skater culture in County and initially filmed content during a high school class. Their self-produced series—beginning with Landspeed Presents: CKY in 1999, followed by CKY2K (2000), CKY3 (2001), and CKY4 (2002)—featured high-risk stunts like shopping cart crashes in grocery store parking lots, , and comedic skits, which circulated widely among skate enthusiasts and caught the attention of producers. The CKY crew's raw, DIY aesthetic and boundary-pushing antics directly influenced the creation of MTV's Jackass series, which debuted in 2000 after the group collaborated with Big Brother magazine editor Jeff Tremaine and contributors like Johnny Knoxville. Several members, including Margera, Dunn, Raab, and Novak, became staples of Jackass, appearing in its TV episodes, films (such as Jackass: The Movie in 2002), and spin-offs like Viva La Bam (2003–2005), where they terrorized Margera's family home, Castle Bam, with elaborate pranks. The crew's videos also intersected with music, as Jess Margera's heavy metal band—also named CKY, featuring tracks like "96 Quite Bitter Beings" from their 1999 album Volume 1—provided soundtracks and gained exposure through inclusions in video games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Beyond media, the group inspired a clothing line under the CKY brand, partnering with companies like Volcom, and their influence extended to broader pop culture by popularizing extreme stunt comedy among youth. Tragically, the crew endured significant losses, including Ryan Dunn's death in a 2011 car crash at age 34, with his blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit, which deeply affected the group and highlighted ongoing struggles with among members like Margera, Raab, and . While the core activities peaked in the early , elements of the CKY legacy persisted through band tours—including the New Reason to Dream Tour as of 2025 with new bassist Mike Leon and an upcoming album of the same name—remastered video releases in 2019, and occasional reunions, cementing their role in shaping subculture and .

History

Formation and early activities

The CKY crew originated in the mid- in , as an informal group of friends and relatives centered around skateboarder , who began documenting their antics with a basic during his middle school years. Initially comprising teenagers and young adults from the local neighborhood, the group engaged in amateur sessions at makeshift spots like the Margera family's backyard halfpipe and nearby areas such as in , reflecting the raw, DIY ethos of 1990s East Coast skate culture. These early gatherings emphasized shared camaraderie among participants, including Margera's brother and friends like , fostering a dynamic built on mutual encouragement for high-risk maneuvers and humorous pranks. The name "CKY" stands for "Camp Kill Yourself," a self-deprecating moniker inspired by the 1983 horror film Sleepaway Camp, which captured the group's edgy, irreverent humor rooted in themes of exaggerated danger and absurdity. This acronym emerged from their initial home video experiments between 1995 and 1998, where Margera and his associates filmed pranks—such as staging fake gory injuries with chicken cutlets and ketchup—and reckless stunts, like jumping from moving vehicles into bushes, all using rudimentary equipment like a bulky VHS camera. The content drew from the broader 1990s skateboarding scene's influence, including publications like Thrasher magazine, which celebrated technical tricks and boundary-pushing creativity, though the crew's videos uniquely blended skating with comedic, often painful, escapades. By 1999, these personal tapes evolved into a semi-official release with Landspeed Presents: CKY, a distributed through the skate brand Landspeed Wheels on March 1, marking the group's shift toward wider circulation while retaining its grassroots spirit. The video showcased amateur skate footage interspersed with stunts performed at local West Chester venues, including a backyard skate barn, highlighting the crew's emphasis on inside jokes and collective risk-taking that defined their early identity.

Rise to mainstream fame

The CKY video series marked the crew's initial foray into broader recognition, beginning with the release of Landspeed presents: CKY in March 1999, followed by CKY2K in May 2000 and CKY3 in 2001. Produced and edited primarily by and , these tapes showcased the group's raw, unscripted stunts, pranks, and footage, distributed through independent skate shops across the . The videos quickly gained traction in the underground skate scene, becoming some of the earliest examples of viral content in the pre-YouTube era, with clips circulating via file-sharing networks and word-of-mouth among youth subcultures. In 2000, MTV producers , , and discovered the CKY tapes through connections in the community, recognizing their chaotic energy as a perfect fit for a new stunt-based show. This led to the integration of core CKY members— including Margera, , DiCamillo, and —into the Jackass pilot, which premiered on in October 2000 and ran for three seasons until 2002. Many Jackass segments directly originated from CKY material, such as the infamous "poo dive" stunt involving Dunn, where participants endured fecal pranks that epitomized the crew's gross-out humor. The collaboration under Dickhouse Productions, co-founded by Tremaine, Jonze, and Knoxville, provided the CKY crew with their first professional paid opportunities, culminating in appearances in the 2002 Jackass: The Movie, which grossed over $64 million worldwide and solidified their national profile. This transition propelled the CKY crew from a local West Chester, Pennsylvania, phenomenon to influencers of early 2000s youth culture, popularizing DIY stunt videos that emphasized camaraderie and boundary-pushing antics among teenagers. Jackass episodes featuring CKY content achieved MTV's highest Sunday night ratings shortly after launch, leading to a cover feature in February 2001 and inspiring a wave of imitation prank media. However, the rapid ascent brought challenges, including minor legal troubles from public stunts that occasionally resulted in arrests for , as well as internal tensions over how fame and opportunities were distributed among crew members amid Margera's rising prominence.

Members

Core members

Bam Margera founded the CKY crew in the late in , serving as the primary director, producer, and skateboarder who conceived many of the group's signature stunts and videos, which blended tricks with extreme pranks and physical feats. As a professional skateboarder sponsored by , Margera incorporated his skate career into the tapes, often performing or orchestrating tricks that highlighted his skills while pushing boundaries with dangerous antics. Ryan Dunn was a central stunt performer and co-producer in the CKY crew, known for his close friendship with Margera since age 15 and contributions to high-speed driving pranks, car crashes, and camera operation during filming. Dunn participated in memorable stunts like flipping cars multiple times and diving into raw sewage, often capturing footage that emphasized the crew's reckless humor, until his death in 2011. Brandon DiCamillo, often called Dico, functioned as a key writer, actor, and editor for the CKY videos, co-authoring the series alongside Margera and creating comedic characters such as "The Demon" and "Officer Jim Rennie" through scripted sketches and voice work that added narrative absurdity to the stunts. Chris Raab, known as Raab Himself, was a prominent prank participant and actor in the core tapes, renowned for his exaggerated slow-motion reactions to stunts and segments involving drug-related humor, which amplified the crew's chaotic on-screen dynamic. Rake Yohn specialized in extreme physical stunts for the CKY crew, performing feats like jumping off roofs, barrel rolls in shopping carts, and cameos in construction-themed pranks that showcased raw endurance and risk-taking. Jess Margera contributed as a drummer and occasional performer in the videos, participating in skateboarding sequences and filming sessions while linking the visual content to the crew's musical output through the formation of the CKY band in 1998, though his focus remained on on-camera antics. Brandon Novak, a professional skateboarder and core CKY crew member, appeared prominently in the videos, contributing skate footage and participating in humorous skits often centered on recovery themes, including mock interventions that satirized personal struggles within the skate scene. The core members collaborated closely on the CKY tapes from the late through the , with Margera directing, Dunn handling camera and driving stunts, DiCamillo scripting sketches, Raab and Yohn executing physical gags like car crashes and cart slams, Jess providing rhythmic support, and Novak contributing skate parts and comedic elements, creating a signature blend of skate culture and shock .

The Margera family

The Margera family served as the emotional and comedic core of the CKY crew, providing on-screen vulnerability through recurring pranks and stunts that highlighted their chaotic household dynamics in . Their involvement blended real-life family interactions with scripted humor, often centering on the family's modest home, which became the primary filming location for many early CKY videos. This setting allowed the crew to capture unfiltered moments of surprise and exasperation, positioning the Margeras as relatable anchors amid the group's escalating antics. April Margera, the family matriarch, frequently appeared as a target of elaborate pranks orchestrated by Bam and the crew, embodying the nurturing yet exasperated parental figure. Notable stunts included the "Blue Kitchen" prank, where the crew painted the entire kitchen—including her husband Phil—blue without warning on a Sunday night, and destructive landscaping efforts like digging a moat shortly after home improvements. These home invasion-style antics underscored her role as the crew's "second mom," fostering a sense of communal chaos while she managed daily life amid the disruptions. April's tolerance and occasional radio show cameos further integrated her into the crew's orbit, amplifying the familial warmth beneath the mayhem. Phil "PeePee" Margera, April's husband and Bam's father, contributed as the laid-back , often caught in the crossfire of stunts that exploited his easygoing nature. His appearances emphasized gentle, humorous vulnerability, such as being unexpectedly painted during pranks or enduring the household's constant disarray, providing contrast to the crew's high-energy exploits. As a , Phil's presence grounded the videos in everyday family life, blending scripted gags with authentic reactions that humanized the group's wilder elements. Don Vito Margera, Bam's uncle, emerged as a standout meme icon through his boisterous and unpredictable on-screen persona in the CKY series. Known for awkward, enthusiastic hugs and nonsensical rants delivered in a thick accent, he popularized the catchphrase "vito'd" to describe his chaotic interventions, often turning simple interactions into comedic spectacles. His larger-than-life antics, including impromptu embraces and rambling outbursts, added a layer of absurd humor that resonated widely, making him an enduring figure in the crew's lore. Margera died on November 15, 2015, at the age of 59, from kidney and . Jess Margera, Bam's older brother and CKY's drummer, made occasional cameos depicting family home life, such as hosting skaters for meals prepared by their mother, which illustrated the seamless integration of music, skating, and domestic routines. These glimpses reinforced the Margeras' role as the crew's supportive foundation, with the West Chester home serving as a hub where personal bonds fueled creative output. Other relatives, including aunt Ruthie in party scenes and grandfather Phillip Sr. in brief appearances, occasionally featured to enhance the familial tapestry, though their roles remained peripheral to the core dynamics.

Other associates

The CKY crew occasionally collaborated with peripheral individuals who provided guest contributions to their skate and stunt videos, expanding the scope of content through one-off appearances without becoming regular fixtures. These associates, often local skaters or support talent from the scene, added variety to segments like tricks, pranks, and behind-the-scenes work, helping to bridge the underground skate culture with broader influences. Professional skateboarder made a notable in CKY 3 (2001), performing high-profile stunts that highlighted the crew's growing crossover appeal in . His involvement marked a 2001 collaboration blending mainstream pro skating with CKY's raw style. , a veteran pro skater known for aggressive , contributed skate segments to the CKY series, including dynamic footage that showcased technical tricks and confrontational energy. These appearances helped infuse professional-level skating into the videos' chaotic mix. Tim O'Connor participated sporadically with radical trick footage in CKY videos, such as innovative grinds and flips that emphasized creative, high-risk maneuvers. His contributions added a layer of technical skate prowess to the series' stunt-heavy narrative. Joe Frantz served as a support crew member, handling coordination and doubles for dangerous sequences in the CKY videos, leveraging his background to ensure safe execution of pranks and falls. His sporadic involvement focused on production logistics rather than on-camera presence. Ryan Gee, a skilled , contributed key footage and photography to the early CKY series from 1995 to 2000, capturing skate sessions and stunts with a distinctive East Coast aesthetic. His work behind the lens helped shape the visual style without daily crew integration. Chris Aspite, aka Hoofbite, appeared in prank segments across the CKY videos, performing absurd stunts like object-smashing gags that amplified the series' shock humor. His brief roles emphasized comedic escalation over sustained participation. Kerry Getz, a pro skater from , provided guest skate parts in the CKY era, delivering powerful street tricks and a fiery persona that contrasted the crew's pranks with pure skating focus. His appearances in videos like CKY and CKY2K brought local talent into the fold during the late . Art Webb, brother of core member and credited as "Art Webb 1986," made random cameos in CKY videos, often in background antics or minor skits referencing '80s music vibes. These fleeting roles added quirky, familial energy without central involvement. Vernon Zaborowski, aka Vern, contributed to background antics in CKY 3, including casual stunts and group interactions that filled out the video's ensemble scenes. His occasional presence supported the crew's chaotic group dynamic sporadically. Additional guests like and offered pro-level skate tricks in CKY 3, such as technical flips and rails, broadening the international appeal of the skate footage. Similarly, Mike Maldonado appeared in early segments with local-style skating, enhancing the Pennsylvania-rooted authenticity. These transient collaborations diversified stunts and perspectives, keeping the CKY output fresh while maintaining its core ethos.

Productions

Skate and stunt videos

The CKY video series, produced between 1999 and 2003, consisted of four underground releases that blended skateboarding footage with outrageous stunts and pranks, primarily featuring Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamillo, Ryan Dunn, and other members of the West Chester, Pennsylvania-based crew. These VHS and later DVD titles were distributed through independent skate channels, emphasizing raw, unpolished content that captured the group's chaotic energy and humor. The series' soundtrack prominently featured music from the CKY band, including tracks like "96 Quite Bitter Beings," which underscored the skate sections and elevated the videos' underground appeal. The inaugural release, Landspeed presents: CKY (1999), ran for 66 minutes and focused on high-energy skate tricks interspersed with early pranks and stunts performed by the core crew. Directed and edited by , it showcased local skate spots alongside absurd segments, such as DiCamillo's comedic antics and Dunn's daring jumps, setting the tone for the series' mix of athleticism and irreverence. The video's DIY aesthetic, shot on consumer-grade equipment, quickly resonated within the skate scene, leading to widespread bootleg distribution before official re-releases. CKY2K (2000), a 63-minute follow-up, expanded on the formula with more elaborate stunts, including pain-inflicting games and family-targeted pranks that highlighted the Margeras' dynamic. Notable for its chaotic international trip to , where the crew attempted skate sessions amid harsh conditions, the video also incorporated gross-out humor like fecal-related gags, amplifying the shock value that defined the group's style. Edited collaboratively by Margera and DiCamillo, it built on the original's momentum, attracting a growing audience through word-of-mouth in skate shops and magazines. CKY3 (2001), clocking in at 46 minutes, marked a step up in production quality while maintaining the series' core themes of escalating risks and camaraderie. It included guest appearances by professional skaters such as , , and , who contributed to high-stakes skate montages and mini-ramp sessions. The video's segments emphasized bolder stunts, like improvised jumps and crew challenges, with the CKY band's evolving sound providing a heavier, more intense backdrop. This installment solidified the series' reputation for blending pro-level skating with unscripted mayhem. The final major entry, CKY4: The Latest & Greatest (2003), was a limited-release 54-minute compilation emphasizing raw, unedited footage, bloopers, and behind-the-scenes clips from prior shoots. Featuring returning skaters like Mike Vallely and Rowley, it shifted toward retrospective content, including outtakes of failed stunts and prank mishaps, while incorporating tracks from bands like Queens of the Stone Age. Though less focused on new skate tricks, it served as a capstone to the underground era, released amid the crew's rising mainstream profile. In 2019, Joe Frantz released HD remastered versions of the four CKY videos, improving video quality from the original footage and making them available online, reviving interest in the series among new audiences. In 2014, CKY: The Greatest Hits was issued as a one-hour television special, aggregating highlights from the series alongside previously unreleased clips of stunts, pranks, and skate sessions. This MTV-backed special revisited the crew's early antics, emphasizing their viral origins in the pre-social media skate world. The videos were initially self-funded through personal resources and small-scale sales via skate retailers, with Margera and Dunn handling much of the editing in home setups using basic software and technology. This approach fostered a dedicated in the skate community, where the series became one of the hottest-selling independent titles, influencing a generation of DIY filmmakers and extreme sports enthusiasts. Total sales across editions exceeded hundreds of thousands of units, driven by demand from skate parks and forums.

Films and television series

The CKY crew transitioned from raw skate videos to more structured narrative films and television series beginning in , leveraging their stunt expertise in broader comedic formats that emphasized pranks, family dynamics, and absurd plots. Core members like , , , and featured prominently, often drawing on their real-life antics for scripted or semi-scripted content that aired on and beyond. This shift marked their entry into mainstream commercial media, with projects achieving significant viewership and box office returns. The crew's involvement in the Jackass film franchise represented a major commercial breakthrough. In Jackass: The Movie (2002), Margera, Dunn, DiCamillo, and Raab contributed key stunts, including high-risk vehicle crashes and pranks that blended CKY-style chaos with the larger ensemble. The film grossed $64.3 million domestically, establishing the series' profitability. Subsequent entries amplified their roles: (2006) featured crew-led segments like explosive vehicle mishaps, earning $72.8 million domestically; (2010) included Margera and Dunn in elaborate 3D stunts, pulling in $117.2 million; and (2022) showcased surviving members such as DiCamillo and Raab in tributes to Dunn, with a domestic gross of $57.7 million. These films highlighted the crew's stunt prowess while achieving franchise-wide success exceeding $350 million domestically across installments. On television, Viva La Bam (2003–2006) became the crew's flagship narrative series, spanning five seasons and 40 episodes on MTV. Centered on Margera's pranks against his family and friends at their Pennsylvania home, it featured CKY staples like DiCamillo's absurd characters and Dunn's deadpan reactions, with standout episodes involving a backyard castle construction and a chaotic European road trip. The show earned three Teen Choice Award nominations for Choice TV Reality/Comedy and maintained strong ratings, averaging over 1 million viewers per episode in its peak seasons. It earned a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb from nearly 10,000 users. Margera directed the low-budget comedy Haggard (2003), a feature starring Dunn as a heartbroken fisherman on a disastrous trip with DiCamillo, Raab, and other crew members. Produced for approximately $500,000 and released , the film satirized road-trip tropes through improvised humor and stunts, receiving a 6.3/10 rating from over 4,800 reviews. Bam's Unholy Union (2007), a one-season MTV reality series with nine episodes, chronicled Margera's wedding planning with fiancée Missy Rothstein amid family interference from Dunn, DiCamillo, and Raab. The family-focused chaos, including prank-filled bachelor parties, earned a 5.8/10 rating from 1,800 users. The crew's final collaborative film, Minghags (2009)—directed by DiCamillo, , and Margera—delivered a musical comedy about trailer-park revenge, starring Dunn, Raab, and cameos. Released , it marked the end of their joint features but received mixed-to-negative reception, holding a 5.1/10 rating from 759 reviews. Additionally, the Bam Margera Presents DVD series (2004–2008) compiled crew segments from unaired footage, stunts, and music videos, totaling over 20 hours across volumes and featuring Margera, Dunn, and DiCamillo in prank-heavy content that extended their TV antics to .

Legacy

Reunions and tributes

Following 's death in a car crash on June 20, 2011, aired a one-hour tribute special titled A Tribute to Ryan Dunn on November 28, 2011, which included interviews with Dunn's family, friends, and co-stars such as , tracing his career from early CKY videos to Jackass. The program featured eulogies from Margera and other associates, along with archival footage of stunts from CKY productions, serving as a partial gathering of the crew to honor Dunn's legacy. In November 2014, MTV broadcast CKY: The Greatest Hits, a one-hour documentary revisiting the crew's early skate and stunt videos from the mid-1990s, produced by and Caesar Augustus. The special incorporated new interviews with core members including , , , and , as well as , alongside never-before-seen clips of antics and sessions to promote a DVD release. This informal assembly highlighted the crew's enduring bond, with discussions focusing on their origins and the viral impact of the original tapes. Chris Raab launched his Bathroom Break Podcast in 2018, dedicating several episodes to reminiscences of CKY experiences, including guest appearances and stories involving crew members like (Dico). Episodes often featured Raab and associates reflecting on stunts, , and personal anecdotes from the group's formative years, fostering a nostalgic to the crew's dynamic. The death of Ruthie "Boof" Margera on May 31, 2021, prompted public expressions of grief from and family members, underscoring the crew's ongoing losses. In recent years, loose skate meetups have continued without a full crew revival, such as hosting a skate competition in 2025 that drew fans and associates for jams and demonstrations. and announced fan-oriented events tied to CKY nostalgia, including introductions at the 2025 performance in , where they hyped the crowd for related music and shared stories from the crew's history. These gatherings emphasized skate activities and media coverage of the Margeras' involvement, maintaining informal connections among surviving members.

Cultural impact and current status

The CKY crew's unscripted blend of stunts, pranks, and personal antics pioneered the raw, DIY style of extreme reality content in the late , directly influencing MTV's Jackass and subsequent shows like Ridiculousness, which popularized viral clip compilations with a similar irreverent humor. Their videos revitalized skate culture by emphasizing amateur footage and camaraderie over commercial polish, inspiring a wave of independent skate productions and online stunt sharing. Iconic elements, such as Don Vito Margera's profane rants, evolved into early internet memes that shaped viral comedy before dominance. Tragedies have deeply scarred the crew, eroding its cohesion and morale. , a central figure known for his stunts and films like , died on June 20, 2011, at age 34 in a high-speed car crash in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania; toxicology reports showed his blood alcohol level at 0.196%, and the he was driving burst into flames, also killing passenger Zachary Hartwell. The loss prompted widespread grief, project cancellations, and a reevaluation of the group's high-risk lifestyle among survivors. Vincent "Don Vito" Margera, Bam's uncle and a comic staple for his antics, passed away on April 13, 2015, at age 59 from complications of diagnosed in 2009. Crew fragmentation intensified post-tragedies, with members retreating from public life amid personal struggles. Brandon "Dico" DiCamillo, a key collaborator in early videos and Viva La Bam, largely retired from entertainment around 2009, citing a desire for privacy and ceasing stunt work or appearances. Bam Margera has battled addiction since 2012, undergoing multiple rehabs; he achieved sobriety in August 2023 but faced relapse allegations leading to a September 2024 DUI arrest and probation violation for failing drug treatment compliance. As of November 2025, Margera celebrated one year of sobriety, crediting skateboarding and support systems for his recovery. In 2021, Margera filed a lawsuit against Jackass producers Johnny Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine, and Spike Jonze alleging discrimination and wrongful termination over his exclusion from Jackass Forever, which was dismissed in 2022. Separately, a civil lawsuit filed against Margera related to injuries from a 2019 motorcycle incident at his home (Castle Bam) was delayed in January 2025. As of 2025, the CKY crew remains inactive as a collective, with no new projects and fractured relationships precluding reunions. Margera maintains estrangement from former collaborators, having been excluded from and focused on solo , including 2025 events related to the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 remake. Surviving members pursue individual endeavors: Chris "Raab Himself" Raab hosts podcasts and radio segments reflecting on crew history, while April and engage fans through social media content and occasional appearances.

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