Vincent Roy Margera’s Background, Rise to Fame, Legal Battle, Health Challenges, and Final Years

Vincent Roy Margera
Vincent Roy Margera, better known as Don Vito, was a reality TV personality known for MTV’s Viva La BAM and Jackass. His wild antics, comedic outbursts, and outspoken character made him a beloved but controversial figure during the early 2000s. However, his life was not without struggles, as legal troubles and health issues shaped his later years. This article explores his rise from humble beginnings to television stardom and subsequent downfall.

Background

Vincent Roy Margera was born on July 3, 1956, in Concordville, Pennsylvania. He was the elder brother of Phil Margera, the father of pro skateboarder and TV host Bam Margera. Growing up in a large, tight-knit family, Vincent had a boisterous personality that often made him the center of attention.

Before venturing into reality television, he worked as a car painter and odd mechanical jobs. Though he had no training in entertainment, his knack for making people laugh and his downright unfiltered personality made him a natural fit for the offbeat style of Jackass and Viva La Bam.

Rise to Fame: Jackass and Viva La BAM

Vincent was first seen in Bam Margera’s CKY (Camp Kill Yourself) video series of underground skateboarding prank videos that later evolved into Jackass. His outlandish reactions and temperament made him an instant fan favorite.

His nickname “Don Vito” was coined due to his resemblance to the iconic character Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather. Although the fictional Don Vito was a calculating and composed crime boss, Vincent Margera’s vision was a comedic, incoherent figure who was always getting pranked or outwitted by his nephew and friends.

Vincent was a key cast member when Viva La Bam debuted on MTV in 2003. It was a show where Bam Margera pulled elaborate pranks on his family and friends, with Don Vito frequently as the target. His unintelligible speech, exaggerated reactions, and genuine frustration made him a standout character. People liked his chemistry with Bam, as the younger Margera constantly pushed his uncle’s patience to the limit.

In 2006, Vincent Margera was charged with improper conduct with minors at a promotion, despite his growing popularity. The charges drew a huge public trial and he was convicted of sexual assault in 2007. He was thus required to register as a sex offender and was restricted from portraying his “Don Vito” persona in public.

This legal issue impacted his career. His television appearances stopped and he virtually disappeared from the entertainment industry. The controversy marred his public image and many former fans distanced themselves from the once-beloved character.

Health Struggles and Final Years

Following his legal troubles, Vincent Margera had various health issues. His body took a tool from years of an unhealthy lifestyle and stress from the trial. Having obesity and diabetes among other problems severely impaired his quality of life.

He spent his final years out of the spotlight and mostly with close family members. His nephew, Bam Margera, updated his fans occasionally about his condition, but he was no longer the boisterous Don Vito fans once knew.

Vincent Margera sadly passed away on November 15, 2015, due to complications from liver and kidney failure. He was 59 years old at the time. His passing marked the end of an era for fans of Viva La Bam and Jackass, who remembered him as an unforgettable, if controversial, figure in reality television.

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