Vincent Margera

Vincent Roy Margera (July 3, 1956 – November 15, 2015), commonly known as Don Vito, was an American reality television personality and convicted sex offender. Margera was known for his appearances in Viva La Bam, Jackass, Haggard, and the CKY series alongside his nephew Bam.

"Don Vito" redirects here. For the character from The Godfather, see Vito Corleone. For the producer, see Don Vito (producer).

Vincent Margera
Born
Vincent Roy Margera

(1956-07-03)July 3, 1956
Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 15, 2015(2015-11-15) (aged 59)
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesDon Vito
OccupationReality television personality
Years active1999–2009
RelativesPhil Margera (brother)
Bam Margera (nephew)
Jess Margera (nephew)

Early life

Margera was born in Chester, Pennsylvania and raised in Concord Township, the son of Darlene (née Stauffer) and Phillip Margera. He was unmarried and lived in a home formerly owned by his brother in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he had moved in the early 2000s.[1]

Career

Margera became known after appearing as a regular on the MTV television series Viva La Bam, where he was commonly referred to as "Don Vito," a nickname given to him by his nephew Bam. The nickname referred to his near unintelligible speech reminiscent of Don Vito Corleone of The Godfather, as well as saluting the Margera family's Italian heritage. He had previously appeared in sketches and videos with his family, most of whom were released as part of the CKY series and some later featured in Jackass. [2]

As a result of his 2006 arrest, the stunts involving Don Vito were removed from the theatrical and DVD release of Jackass Number Two, but several stunts were briefly shown in previews leading up to his arrest. Due to the allegations, he was persona non grata among the cast for a time. He also did not appear on Bam Margera's show Bam's Unholy Union because of his arrest, despite his attendance at Bam's wedding.[3]

In early 2007, Don Vito featured in Redman's music video "Put It Down", where he plays a police officer with Donnell Rawlings.[4] March 20, 2007 saw the release of Vito and Ryan Dunn starring in a Viva La Bam-like, direct-to-DVD film, titled Dunn and Vito's Rock Tour.[5]

On August 18, 2006, Margera was arrested at the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, Colorado, on suspicion of inappropriately touching two 12-year-old girls. He was released after posting bail of $50,000.[6]

During a preliminary hearing on February 1, 2007, Margera was represented by Pamela Mackey, the same lawyer who defended Kobe Bryant in 2003–04.[7] There was an arraignment hearing on March 5, 2007, at which Margera pleaded not guilty.

The trial started on October 22 in Golden, Colorado. Margera's attorney argued that his client had been playing his "goofy, outrageous and vulgar" television persona for the young teens,[8] portraying Margera as a "benign bumbler", and arguing that Margera's signature arm movement may have been mistaken for breast fondling.[9]

The jury began to deliberate on the afternoon of October 30,[10] returning on October 31. Margera was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a minor and acquitted on one count.

On December 20, 2007, Margera was sentenced to 10 years of probation, to be served in Pennsylvania. He was further ordered to not portray the character of "Don Vito" in any capacity (appearing on television, writing books, autograph signings) while serving his sentence. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender in Colorado and Pennsylvania, to receive an evaluation of his mental health and to work on his problems with alcohol.[11]

Health issues and death

Throughout most of his life, Margera was obese and had difficulty exercising due to his weight. He also had strabismus, which made him partially blind on one eye, as well as serious alcoholism. According to his nephew, Bam, he also had depression following his conviction.

In October 2015, Margera collapsed in his West Chester, Pennsylvania home and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in a coma for five days. According to family, he was dying of massive organ failure due to years of obesity and alcoholism.[12] Despite initial improvements in the weeks before his death, he died on November 15, 2015, from kidney and liver failure at the age of 59.[13]

References
  1. Bams Radio on Sirius XM
  2. Auge, Karen (August 19, 2006). "Reality-show "uncle" jailed". Denver Post. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  3. "MTV to Air Bam Margera Nuptials". Long Island Press. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  4. "Redman Hopes To 'Tweak' Hip-Hop With Timbaland, Snoop". MTV. March 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  5. Dunn & Vito's Rock Tour: Movies & TV: Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, Don Vito, amazon.com; accessed November 16, 2015.
  6. "Bam Margera's uncle posts $50,000 bail". Today.com. August 23, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  7. ""Don Vito" Dirty Deeds". The Smoking Gun. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  8. Schrader, Ann (October 24, 2007). "Lawyer: Actor's alleged groping was role". Denver Post. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  9. Suspect termed a benign bumbler, RockyMountainNews.com; accessed November 16, 2015.
  10. "Closing arguments presented in Margera trial". Denver Post. October 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  11. "Margera must give up "Don Vito" character for 10 years". The Denver Post. December 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  12. "Bam Margera's Uncle Vito Wakes From Coma, In Critical Condition". TMZ.com. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  13. "'Jackass' Star Vincent 'Don Vito' Margera Dead". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
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