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{{subst:submit}} Earth Rocker (2016 Film) "Earth Rocker" is a 2016 documentary-style film that chronicles the rise of pro skateboarder and Jackass star Bam Margera, his involvement with the Jackass franchise and their subsequent films and spin-offs, the death of his best friend Ryan Dunn, and his downward spiral into depression and alcoholism. The film was released February 2, 2016.

Background

Bam Margera, born Brandon Cole Margera, became a professional skateboarder at age 14. He went on to have a promising skateboarding career and soon found himself involved with the Jackass television show and subsequent movies. He starred alongside Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Preston Lacy, Ehren McGhehey, Chris Pontius, Ryan Dunn, and Wee Man. Throughout the movies the cast became very close with one another, pulling pranks as well as spending quality time together. Throughout the many escapades, Dunn and Margera remained "attached at the hip" according to Margera.

Tragedy

On June 20, 2011 Bam's best friend and co-star Ryan Dunn was killed in a drunk driving accident in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Dunn's Porsche 911 was speeding over 100 MPH when it crashed into a wooded embankment, killing him and fellow passenger and Jackass crew member Zachary Hartwell. Bam tearfully told news reporters "I've never lost anybody who I cared about and its my best friend." A documentary about Dunn's life was made and aired on MTV in the fall of 2011.

Premise

The film chronicles Margera's rise in the skateboarding community, him turning pro, the escapades of Jackass, the death of Ryan Dunn, and his alcoholism and depression as a result of the death. It shows his struggles to cope with the death of his friend, his health issues, the depression he suffers, as well as concern from his mother April Margera. Some of his struggles are also chronicled in the VH1 series Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn.