Bam Margera Shows Up in ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ But Not the Way Fans Were Hoping

The question has been swirling around fan forums and comment sections for months, and now that the film is officially in theaters, the answer is clear. Bam Margera does appear in ‘Jackass: Best and Last,’ but the circumstances surrounding that appearance are far more complicated than a simple yes or no.

The final Jackass movie hit theaters on June 26, 2026, and Margera’s presence in the film comes entirely through never-before-seen archival footage from past productions, with no new stunts filmed for this installment. For longtime fans who grew up watching him tear through the franchise from the very beginning, that distinction carries a lot of weight.

The Archival Footage Deal Behind Bam Margera’s Appearance

Margera signed an agreement to appear in the film via never-before-seen archival footage, with Variety confirming that he would not be filming new stunts for the movie, which was released theatrically by Paramount Pictures. The deal represented something of a peace offering between two sides that have spent years at odds with each other.

Knoxville confirmed to USA TODAY that the ‘Jackass’ team reached out to Margera through a third party to get his permission to use archival footage of him in the film, and that Margera approved but declined to return and shoot new material.

Knoxville’s exact words on the matter were both gracious and measured, saying “Through a third party, we invited him to be a part of the film. But he wasn’t ready, and we accept that and respect that.” He added, “I have nothing but love for Bam Bam.”

One standout moment in the film revisits the “Silence of the Lambs” scene from ‘Jackass Forever,’ a prank that involved cast members being locked in a dark room and tricked into thinking a rattlesnake was loose with them. Margera was originally part of this segment, but the version included in the 2022 film cut around him entirely. In ‘Jackass: Best and Last,’ that cut footage has been restored.

Why Bam Margera Was Fired From ‘Jackass Forever’ in the First Place

Margera was fired from ‘Jackass Forever’ after allegedly violating the terms of a wellness agreement, and subsequently filed a wrongful termination lawsuit that was later dropped. The fallout from that firing defined much of the public conversation around the franchise for years.

In the lawsuit he eventually dropped, Margera claimed he was coerced into signing the wellness agreement while he was in rehab in 2019, and that he was fired after testing positive for Adderall, which he said he had been taking by prescription for a decade. The legal dispute cast a long shadow over his relationship with the rest of the crew.

Adding further tension to the situation, director Jeff Tremaine obtained a temporary restraining order against Margera, who had allegedly sent disturbing messages to the filmmaker, while separate reports cited veiled threats made by Margera against Tremaine on social media. The estrangement between Margera and the Jackass machine became one of the more public and painful implosions in reality entertainment history.

Bam Margera’s Health and Where He Stands Today

As of 2026, Margera appears to be sober, with a recent Instagram post revealing that he had been sober for two years, a significant milestone given the years of inpatient stints and public struggles that preceded it. His parents attended the premiere of ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ in his place and spoke publicly about his current state.

His mother April revealed that Margera had genuinely considered returning for the film but ultimately decided against it, saying “I think he really thought that maybe he could, but it was just kind of extra hard when Ryan passed away,” referring to the late Ryan Dunn. The grief tied to Dunn’s death in 2011 has clearly remained a factor in how Margera processes his connection to the franchise.

Margera’s father Phil suggested at the premiere that his son would be open to making amends with former castmates, saying “I guarantee you they’re going to make up and they’re going to be awesome together,” while Knoxville was visibly emotional upon seeing Phil and April there, telling Entertainment Tonight, “I got a little choked up. So happy to see them. After all we’ve been through.”

What ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ Means for the Franchise

Knoxville confirmed that ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ will be the last film in the series, describing it as “the natural place to end” and stating there will not be a .5 sequel, making it only the second Jackass film without one. The film is positioned as both a victory lap and a genuine farewell.

The movie is structured as a mix of old and new footage, serving as a celebration of the entire franchise that brings back the best moments from the TV show and previous films alongside brand new material and never-before-seen outtakes. For a series built on chaos, the approach is surprisingly sentimental.

The film received positive reviews from critics upon release, landing an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 56 reviews, with Variety’s Guy Lodge writing that audiences leave the film believing the crew will genuinely miss what they built together.

Whether or not Margera ever fully reconciles with the people who shaped so much of his life alongside him, the franchise is clearly leaving an emotional mark on everyone involved, and fans who remember Bam at his wildest and most chaotic best deserve to weigh in on whether archival footage was ever going to be enough of a sendoff for one of the original crew’s most unforgettable faces.