He may share his name with a notorious outlaw, but famous motorcycle customizer and television personality Jesse James never needed to break bad to make a name for himself. Though, he has had his fair share of controversy over the years. Whether you know him from his TV shows Monster Garage (which is set to return in 2020) or Jesse James Is a Dead Man, his custom motorcycles for Keanu Reeves or Shaquille O’Neal, or his rocky relationship with Sandra Bullock, you know that the guy is great at making headlines. James’ passion for motorcycles at an early age led to a multimillion-dollar enterprise in West Coast Choppers, which eventually spawned a successful television career and several other business ventures. But, after nearly 20 years in the spotlight, the 50-year-old James has managed to withstand the ups and downs by continuing to do what made him famous in the first place: customizing motorcycles. Early Life and Career Jesse Gregory James was born on April 19, 1969, in Long Beach, California. His father ran an antiques shop, which was located right next to a Harley-Davidson parts supplier. Thus, beginning his lifelong obsession with motorcycles. “I remember seeing a pack of Hell’s Angels blasting by our family car when I was about 6, and they were all riding choppers,” James told a Discovery Channel interviewer in 2000. “I remember all the noise and all the chrome. It was the coolest thing I ever saw. I knew then that I was going to be involved in motorcycles in some way.” When a career in football didn’t pan out after several injuries, James dropped out of college and worked as a bodyguard for bands like Slayer and Soundgarden. In 1992, James opened West Coast Choppers, a clothing brand and motorcycle customization shop. After falling off stage during a concert in 1993 and dislocating his elbow, James decided to put all his eggs in the WCC basket. West Coast Choppers Starting in his mother’s garage and eventually moving to