View source for Jesse James

{{Infobox person
| name               = Jesse James {{Verified}}
| image              = James, Jesse G. (2007).jpg
| caption            = James at the 2007 [[Scream Awards]]
| birth_name         = Jesse Gregory James
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1969|4|19}}
| birth_place        = [[Long Beach, California]], U.S.
| other_names        = 
| occupation         = Entrepreneur, television personality
| years_active       = 1992–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Karla James<br />|1991|2002|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Janine Lindemulder]]<br />|2002|2004|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Sandra Bullock]]<br />|2005|2010|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Alexis DeJoria]]<br />|2013|2022|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Bonnie Rotten]]<br />|2022}}
}}
| partner            = <!--for life partners or parent of child only, not girlfriends-->
| children           = 3
| parents            = 
| website            = 
| television         = 
| alma mater         = 
}}

'''Jesse Gregory James''' (born April 19, 1969) is an American entrepreneur, automotive mechanic, and television personality. He is the founder of West Coast Choppers and former partner of Austin Speed Shop and current CEO of Jesse James Firearms Unlimited, both based in Austin, Texas. He was the focus of a show chronicling some of the custom motorcycle builds in his TV series ''Jesse James: Monster Garage'', which ran a shortened single season in 2012 on the Discovery Channel before being canceled.

James was the host of the reality TV shows ''Jesse James Is a Dead Man'' on Spike TV and ''Monster Garage'' on the Discovery Channel, and the focus of the documentary ''Motorcycle Mania'', also on Discovery. He also appeared in the 2004 skateboarding video game ''Tony Hawk's Underground 2''.

== Career ==

James was an outside linebacker at  the University of California in Riverside, but two injuries forced him to begin his working life.<ref name="Seate">{{cite book |last=Seate |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Seate |date=2003 |title=Jesse James: The Man and his Machines |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rkoxNNzekDAC&pg=PA23 |location=[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] |publisher=[[The Quarto Group|MotorBooks International]] |isbn=978-0-7603-1614-6 |page=23 |access-date=2021-06-15 |archive-date=2023-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116050443/https://books.google.com/books?id=rkoxNNzekDAC&pg=PA23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At age 19, he became a bouncer and then a bodyguard, notably for Slayer, Glenn Danzig, and Soundgarden.<ref name="Seate" /><ref name="today2010">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=A look inside the life of Jesse James |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/look-inside-life-jesse-james-wbna35976116 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=March 22, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726145354/https://www.today.com/popculture/look-inside-life-jesse-james-wbna35976116 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1992, James opened West Coast Choppers in his mother's garage.<ref name="today2010" /> James has also built and is racing an off-road Trophy Truck and a Figure-8 race car.

James was the owner of the Cisco Burger restaurant, which opened on April 28, 2006, across the street from West Coast Choppers which has officially closed. James also had partial ownership in Austin Speed Shop in Austin, Texas, which he left in 2013 to focus on the re-opening of West Coast Choppers in Austin.

Other business ventures include ''Chopperdogs'' fan club and ''Jesse's Girl'' clothing line. James published the now-defunct custom-car ''Garage'' magazine.

In November 2013, Jesse James Firearms Unlimited unveiled its first two firearms, a 1911 pistol and an AR-15 rifle. His first rifle-caliber suppressor was a basic reworking of an original Maxim design that he claimed could impossibly bend the laws of physics by offering a 78 dB rating at the muzzle, lower than even what the De Lisle carbine achieved in testing; although James was careful to note that it only achieved that number with subsonic ammunition that does not produce a sonic boom.<ref>{{Cite web|title=JJFU|url=https://www.facebook.com/cisco1911/posts/760286944058329 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/512593352161024/760286944058329 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|access-date=October 19, 2020|website=[[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{{As of|2020}}, James lives in Austin, Texas, operates Jesse James Fire Arms Unlimited, and manages the intellectual properties of West Coast Choppers.

== Television ==
[[File:Jesse James & Mike Lavallee.png|thumb|James (left) on the set of ''Monster Garage'', 2003]]

In 2000, the Discovery Channel made the documentary ''Motorcycle Mania'', which chronicled James' everyday life. Following the success of the documentary, the Discovery Channel approached James with an offer to host a new show called ''Monster Garage'' where James and a crew of mechanics modified vehicles under a short deadline. James later established Payupsucker Productions, under which he produced shows like ''History of the Chopper'', ''Iraq Confidential with Jesse James'' and ''Green Scream'', in which James plans to break the land speed record with an eco-friendly hydrogen car.
Through James' show "History of the Chopper" there are also glimpses of his involvement with the Hells Angels.

He also made an appearance on the Discovery Channel's ''Sons of Guns''. He appeared on the second season of ''Celebrity Apprentice''. Each celebrity played to raise money for a favorite charity; James selected to play for the Long Beach Education Foundation.<ref name="PressRelease">{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20090108nbc01 |title=NBC Announces the 16 All-Star Celebrities Ready to Take on Donald Trump in the Boardroom when ''The Celebrity Apprentice'' Premiers Sunday, March 1 |publisher=NBC |date=January 1, 2009 |access-date=March 18, 2009 |archive-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121210041333/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20090108nbc01 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to his poor performance in raising funds, James was eliminated by Donald Trump on the second-to-last show (ultimately placing third) which aired May 3, 2009. Trump repeatedly cited James' stoic refusal to contact then-wife Bullock to raise funds for the show's challenges, though other celebrities had no problem tapping high-rolling contacts for cash.
[[File:Jesse James @ Academy Awards 2010.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|James at the 2010 Academy Awards]]
His show ''Jesse James Is a Dead Man'' premiered on Spike TV on May 31, 2009. The show features James doing death-defying stunts. The first episode set a rating record for Spike, drawing the largest audience ever for an unscripted series on the network, with 2 million viewers.<ref name="The Live Feed">{{cite web|url=http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/06/jesse-james-premiere-ratings.html|title=Jesse James sets Spike TV ratings record|publisher=The Live Feed|date=June 2, 2009|access-date=June 3, 2009|archive-date=June 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605080235/http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/06/jesse-james-premiere-ratings.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The show is produced by Spike TV, BASE Productions and James' company, PayupSucker Productions.<ref>[http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/good_day_la/Jesse_James_Is_A_Dead_Man_20090529 "Jesse James Is A Dead Man"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614221923/http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/good_day_la/Jesse_James_Is_A_Dead_Man_20090529 |date=2009-06-14 }} at MyFoxLA.com</ref> In conjunction with that appearance Marvel Comics created a special one-shot comic book where he evades death once again after considering retirement, and made it available in comic book stores for free distribution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marvel.com/news/all.7898.jesse_james_is_a_dead_man~excl~ |title=Jesse James Is A Dead Man! &#124; Marvel.com News |publisher=Marvel.com |access-date=March 25, 2010 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116050448/https://www.marvel.com/articles |url-status=live }}</ref>

James appeared on an episode of ''Street Customs'' where he had his pickup truck customized by West Coast Customs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490374/|title="Street Customs" Jesse James Chevy Truck (TV Episode 2009)|website=[[IMDb]]|date=February 26, 2009|access-date=December 30, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115114508/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490374/|url-status=live}}</ref>
He appeared in an advert for T-Mobile's Google mobile phone with Whoopi Goldberg and Phil Jackson.<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-gets-phil-jackson-whoopi-goldberg-to-help-sell-new-google-phone-2009-8 T-Mobile Gets Phil Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg To Help Sell New Google Phone] (This source misspells his given name as "Jessie".)</ref> Jesse James appeared on ''Sons of Guns'' on March 28, 2012. He asked the Red Jacket Firearms team to build a customized Browning Automatic Rifle for him, and even assisted in the build himself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2309595/|title="Sons of Guns" Jesse James Gun (TV Episode 2012)|website=[[IMDb]]|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=December 30, 2019|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211183028/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2309595/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Jesse appeared in special "Biker Build-Off" episodes of ''American Chopper'' in 2011 and 2012 for bike build-off competitions with Paul Teutul Jr. (representing Paul Jr. Designs) and Paul Teutul Sr. (representing Orange County Choppers), with Gas Monkey Garage (featured on the Discovery series ''Fast N' Loud'') entering the competition in 2012.

== Personal life ==

=== Family and relationships ===

James' Discovery Channel website states that his great-great-grandfather was the notorious outlaw's cousin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/jessejames/bio/bio.html |title=Discovery Channel :: Jesse James: Bio |publisher=Dsc.discovery.com |date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=March 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307220832/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/jessejames/bio/bio.html |archive-date=March 7, 2010 }}</ref>
However, Eric James, president of the James Preservation Trust, which tracks claims of being a relative of the outlaw, says it cannot find a record of him in the family tree and has asked him to provide a family genealogy and DNA sample for the trust to review; he has not provided the requested information.<ref>{{cite web |author=Eric James |url=http://www.ericjames.org/Jesse%20G%20James/index.html |title=Jesse Gregory James, alias Jesse James |publisher=Ericjames.org |access-date=March 24, 2010 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528222137/https://www.ericjames.org/Jesse%20G%20James/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ericjames.org/wordpress/2010/01/30/jesse-gregory-james/ |title=Jesse James Is A Dead Man – and a Fraud |publisher=Ericjames.org |date=January 30, 2010 |access-date=March 24, 2010 |archive-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404152716/http://ericjames.org/wordpress/2010/01/30/jesse-gregory-james/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/01/hoax-politicians-horse-thieving-and-train-robbing-ancestor.html?cid=6a00d8341c767353ef01287736b29a970c |title=Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter: Hoax: Politician's Horse Thieving and Train Robbing Ancestor |publisher=Blog.eogn.com |date=January 30, 2010 |access-date=March 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720091712/http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/01/hoax-politicians-horse-thieving-and-train-robbing-ancestor.html?cid=6a00d8341c767353ef01287736b29a970c |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}</ref>

James has three children: a daughter and a son with his first wife, Karla James, to whom he was married from 1991 to 2002; and a daughter with his second wife, stripper/adult actress/producer Janine Lindemulder, to whom he was married from 2002 to 2004.<ref name=People_20070314>{{cite journal|last=Chiu|first=Alexis|title=COVER STORY:Sandra Bullock Adores Family Role|date=March 14, 2007|journal=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url=https://people.com/celebrity/cover-story-sandra-bullock-adores-family-role/|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013957/https://people.com/celebrity/cover-story-sandra-bullock-adores-family-role/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 16, 2005, James married his third wife, actress Sandra Bullock. They met when she arranged for her ten-year-old godson, a fan, to tour the set of ''Monster Garage''.<ref name=People_200507>{{cite web| title =Sandra Bullock Marries Biker Boyfriend| website =People| date =July 19, 2005| url =https://people.com/celebrity/sandra-bullock-marries-biker-boyfriend/| access-date =October 22, 2019| archive-date =October 23, 2019| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013956/https://people.com/celebrity/sandra-bullock-marries-biker-boyfriend/| url-status =live}}</ref>

In October 2009, James' ex-wife Lindemulder, who had been in federal prison for six months for tax evasion, sought to regain custody of her then five-year-old daughter with James, Sunny, after James had been granted sole guardianship of her. James sought to retain full guardianship, citing fear of the environment in which his daughter would be placed if returned to Lindemulder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/29/crimesider/entry5451087.shtml|title=Sandra Bullock Battles Porn Star Janine Lindemulder for Child Custody|website=[[CBS News]]|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212030353/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/29/crimesider/entry5451087.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jesse-james-leave-sandra-bullock-custody-fight/story?id=9015229|title=Jesse James: Leave Sandra Bullock Out of Custody Fight|first1=Andrea|last1=Canning|first2=Lindsay|last2=Goldwert|first3=Sheila|last3=Marikar|date=November 6, 2009|work=[[ABC News]]|access-date=November 6, 2009|archive-date=November 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109091848/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jesse-james-leave-sandra-bullock-custody-fight/story?id=9015229|url-status=live}}</ref> In December, James won custody, and Lindemulder was given weekly visitation rights during the daytime.<ref name="custodywin">{{cite news|url=https://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jesse-james-sandra-bullock-win-custody-battle-porn/story?id=9289764|title=Jesse James, Sandra Bullock Win Custody Battle With Porn Star Janine Lindemulder|last=Andrea Canning|author2=Lindsay Goldwert|author3=Sheila Marikar|date=December 9, 2009|work=[[ABC News]]|access-date=December 9, 2009|archive-date=December 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224103/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jesse-james-sandra-bullock-win-custody-battle-porn/story?id=9289764|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2010, a media scandal arose when several women claimed to have had affairs with James during his marriage to Bullock. Bullock canceled European promotional appearances for ''The Blind Side'' citing "unforeseen personal reasons."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/sandra-bullock-pulls-out-of-london-premiere/ |title=Sandra Bullock Pulls Out of London Premiere |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=March 17, 2010 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210180740/https://people.com/celebrity/sandra-bullock-pulls-out-of-london-premiere/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/without-sandra-bullock-blind-sides-berlin-premiere-canceled/ |title=Without Sandra Bullock, Blind Side's Berlin Premiere Canceled |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=March 23, 2010 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013959/https://people.com/celebrity/without-sandra-bullock-blind-sides-berlin-premiere-canceled/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 18, 2010, James responded to the rumors of infidelity by issuing a public apology to Bullock.<ref name="people1">{{cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-apologizes-to-sandra-bullock-and-his-children/ |title=Jesse James Apologizes to Sandra Bullock and His Children |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=March 18, 2010 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023004052/https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-apologizes-to-sandra-bullock-and-his-children/ |url-status=live }}</ref> James declared that "There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me," and asked that his wife and children one day "find it in their hearts to forgive me" for their current "pain and embarrassment."<ref name="people1" /> James' publicist subsequently announced on March 30, 2010, that James had checked into a rehab facility "to deal with personal issues" and "save his marriage" to Bullock.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-checks-into-treatment-facility/|title=Jesse James Checks into Treatment Facility|first=Elizabeth|last=Leonard|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=March 30, 2010|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023014000/https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-checks-into-treatment-facility/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on April 28, 2010, it was reported that Bullock had filed for divorce<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/exclusive-sandra-bullock-has-filed-for-divorce/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Sandra Bullock Has Filed for Divorce |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023014003/https://people.com/celebrity/exclusive-sandra-bullock-has-filed-for-divorce/ |url-status=live }}</ref> on April 23 in Austin, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/sandra-bullocks-divorce-likely-wont-be-messy/|title=Sandra Bullock's Divorce Likely Won't Be Messy|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|first=Ken|last=Lee|date=April 28, 2010|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013957/https://people.com/celebrity/sandra-bullocks-divorce-likely-wont-be-messy/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bullock also stated that she had proceeded with plans to adopt a baby boy born in New Orleans.<ref name="PeopleBaby">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/world-exclusive-meet-sandra-bullocks-baby-boy/|title=World Exclusive: Meet Sandra Bullock's Baby Boy!|date=April 28, 2010|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013956/https://people.com/parents/world-exclusive-meet-sandra-bullocks-baby-boy/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bullock and James had begun an initial adoption process four years earlier. The child began living with them in January 2010, but they chose to keep the news private until after the Oscars in March 2010. However, given the couple's separation and then divorce, Bullock continued the adoption of the baby as a single parent.<ref name="PeopleBaby" /> The divorce was finalized on June 28, 2010, with "conflict of personalities" cited as the reason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Bullock-James-Divorce-1019990.aspx|title=Sandra Bullock, Jesse James Divorce Finalized|publisher=TVGuide.com}}</ref>

In August 2010, tattoo artist Kat Von D confirmed reports that she and James were dating.<ref name="steve-o">[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/la-ink/la-ink-star-sets-the-record-st-9485.aspx "'LA Ink' Star Sets the Record Straight About Her Relationship with Steve-O"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822025945/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/la-ink/la-ink-star-sets-the-record-st-9485.aspx |date=2011-08-22 }}, BuddyTV.com, August 16, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/news/jesse_james_kat_von_anatomy_of_split/254511| title = Jesse James and Kat Von D: Anatomy of a Split | date=July 26, 2011 |first= Josh |last= Grossberg| publisher = [[E! Online]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120415045314/http://www.eonline.com/news/jesse_james_kat_von_anatomy_of_split/254511 | archive-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> James and Von D became engaged in January 2011.<ref name="engagement">{{cite web |url= https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-kat-von-d-are-engaged/|title=Jesse James & Kat Von D Are Engaged |date=January 20, 2011 |last1=Leonard |first1=Elizabeth |first2=Jessica |last2=Herndon |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505051312/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20459118,00.html |archive-date=May 5, 2011}} Additional .</ref> Von D announced that they had split in July 2011.<ref name=split>{{Citation|title=Jesse James and Kat Von D Split |url=https://people.com/celebrity/kat-von-d-jesse-james-call-off-engagement/|first=Elizabeth |last=Leonard |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729052029/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20512929%2C00.html |archive-date=July 29, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/good_day_la/kat-von-d-walks-out-on-gdla-20110727 "Kat Von D Walks Out on GDLA Interview"], MyFoxLA.com ([[KTTV]] website), July 27, 2011. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110728080511/http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/good_day_la/kat-von-d-walks-out-on-gdla-20110727 WebCitation archive].</ref> However, in August 2011, James and Von D announced that their engagement was back on.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/kat-von-d-jesse-james-engagement-back-on/|title=Kat Von D and Jesse James: Their Engagement Is Back On!|first1=Elizabeth|last1=Leonard|first2=Mike|last2=Fleeman|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=August 18, 2011|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013408/https://people.com/celebrity/kat-von-d-jesse-james-engagement-back-on/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2011, Von D announced that she and James had broken up again.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jesse James and Kat Von D Split ... Again|url=https://people.com/celebrity/kat-von-d-an-jessie-james-split-again/|work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129153541/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20531651,00.html?hpt=hp_t2 |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |first=Antoinette|last=Coulton}}</ref> Von D later accused James of cheating on her with multiple women during their relationship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/11/kat-von-d-says-jesse-james-cheated-on-her-with-19-women/|title=Kat Von D Says Jesse James Cheated on Her with 19 Women|date=November 14, 2011|publisher=[[ABC News]]|access-date=April 26, 2013|archive-date=June 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630231806/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/11/kat-von-d-says-jesse-james-cheated-on-her-with-19-women/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late 2012, James became engaged to professional drag racer Alexis DeJoria. They married on March 24, 2013, at the estate of the bride's father, entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-marries-drag-racer-alexis-dejoria/|title=Jesse James Marries Drag Racer Alexis DeJoria|date=March 24, 2013|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|first=Elizabeth|last=Leonard|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023015409/https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-marries-drag-racer-alexis-dejoria/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2020, James announced his separation from DeJoria after seven years of marriage, stating "our lives were just headed in different directions".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/monster-garage-host-jesse-james-alexis-dejoria-split/|title=Monster Garage's Jesse James Announces Split from Wife Alexis DeJoria After 7 'Amazing Years'|date=March 17, 2020|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|first=Aurelie|last=Corinthios|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317201429/https://people.com/tv/monster-garage-host-jesse-james-alexis-dejoria-split/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since late 2021, James has been in a relationship with former adult film star Bonnie Rotten.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theblast.com/168303/west-coast-choppers-jesse-james-bonnie-rotten-girlfriend/|title='Monster Garage' Star Jesse James Shares Emotional Tribute To GF Bonnie Rotten|date=January 28, 2022|publisher=[[The Blast (website)|The Blast]]|first=Mike|last=Walters|access-date=March 21, 2022|archive-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321215918/https://theblast.com/168303/west-coast-choppers-jesse-james-bonnie-rotten-girlfriend/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
They married on June 25, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radaronline.com/p/jesse-james-ex-wife-bonnie-rotten-demands-support-second-divorce-cheating/|title=Jesse James' Estranged Wife Bonnie Rotten Demands Monthly Support To Help During Pregnancy|date=December 8, 2022|website=RadarOnline}}</ref>

=== Legal troubles ===

In 2007, James was fined $271,250 by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) after state officials determined that he had sold motorcycles in violation of California's clean-air laws. According to authorities, James' customized bikes were emitting 11 times the legal limits of hydrocarbons. Investigators also found that the motorcycles did not have state-certified emissions equipment on their fuel tanks. The bikes were sold between 1997 and 2006.<ref name="peoplemag">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-fined-for-violating-air-quality-laws/|title=Jesse James Fined for Violating Air-Quality Laws|work=People|date=January 27, 2007|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023015408/https://people.com/celebrity/jesse-james-fined-for-violating-air-quality-laws/|url-status=live}}</ref> James explained that he was unaware of rule changes that required small-volume manufacturers to comply with regulations. James said the CARB refused his offer to recall and modify the uncompliant choppers. Since 2005, West Coast Choppers has built emissions-compliant choppers.<ref>{{citation |title=Jesse James fined; California Clean Air Crackdown |magazine=[[American Motorcyclist]] |date= April 2007|publisher=[[American Motorcyclist Association]] |location=[[Westerville, Ohio]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vvUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27 |volume=61 |issue=4 |issn=0277-9358|page=27 }}</ref> James said the fines were excessive and intended to make an example of him due to his company's fame and his celebrity marriage to actress Sandra Bullock, but CARB spokesmen stated their enforcement efforts were aimed at the entire custom industry, and further that they were aware of no offer by West Coast Choppers to recall the motorcycles in question.<ref name=Garrett2007>{{Citation |last=Garrett |first=Jerry |title=A Famous Customizer Runs Afoul of California's Clean-Air Cops |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 11, 2007 |page=12L |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/automobiles/11MODS.html |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222032157/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/automobiles/11MODS.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2008, James faced a $422,680 breach of contract lawsuit from Michael Jones, a customer who hired James to build him a custom car, who contended that after paying $270,000 over two years, the car was not completed and that James informed him that it would cost between $600,000 and $700,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2008/07/16/dude-jesse-james-took-me-for-a-ride/|title=Dude, Jesse James Took Me For a Ride!|date=July 17, 2008|work=tmz.com|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221174732/https://www.tmz.com/2008/07/16/dude-jesse-james-took-me-for-a-ride/|url-status=live}}</ref> That September, James faced another lawsuit from his former lawyer for $327,533 in unpaid fees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2008/09/05/bang-bang-jesse-james-sued/|title=Bang Bang -- Jesse James Sued|date=September 5, 2008|work=tmz.com|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221174734/https://www.tmz.com/2008/09/05/bang-bang-jesse-james-sued/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, James was accused by Fortune Fashions Industries, LLC of working with Walmart and stealing one of Fortune Fashions Industries' executives to work on the clothing line after a failed collaboration between Jesse and Fortune Fashions. The company claimed over 6{{nbsp}}million dollars in damage, and lawyer Lawrence{{nbsp}}H. Nagler, representing the LLC, claimed "Jesse has stolen the benefit of Fortune Fashions' work and manpower to put this together." James' lawyer Joseph{{nbsp}}A. Yanny pointed out that James was a prolific entrepreneur, selling his West Coast Choppers brand apparel in his shop and online, long before he met Fred Kayne (owner of Fortune Fashions). The trial concluded with a verdict in favor of James. When Fortune Fashion Industries asked the judge to quash the jury decision, the judge stated that they were "not entitled to any proceeds from an unrelated line of clothing that came into being a year after the failed venture."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2010/12/02/jesse-james-lawsuit-clothing-war-fortune-fashions-industries/#ixzz3oZcVqmh3|title=Jesse James -- Final Victory in Clothing War|date=December 3, 2010|work=tmz.com|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221174741/https://www.tmz.com/2010/12/02/jesse-james-lawsuit-clothing-war-fortune-fashions-industries/#ixzz3oZcVqmh3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presstelegram.com/technology/20100611/jesse-james-accused-of-bad-deal|title=Jesse James accused of bad deal|date=June 11, 2010|access-date=October 16, 2015|archive-date=December 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226050035/http://www.presstelegram.com/technology/20100611/jesse-james-accused-of-bad-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Controversial photos ===

After James entered a rehab facility while separated from Bullock, ''Us Weekly'' printed a photo that depicted James in a German SS officer's hat and giving a Nazi salute. James explained to the ABC News show ''Nightline'' that the photo, taken in 2004<ref name="today-2011">{{cite news |title=Jesse James has more alarming Nazi pics |url=https://www.today.com/news/jesse-james-has-more-alarming-nazi-pics-wbna41272629 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=Today |publisher=NBC News |date=January 26, 2011 |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329223120/https://www.today.com/news/jesse-james-has-more-alarming-nazi-pics-wbna41272629 |url-status=live }}</ref> before his marriage to Bullock, was meant as a joke, and that he was not a racist.<ref name="cbsnews-2012">{{cite news |title=Jesse James Addresses Affairs, Nazi Rumors |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jesse-james-addresses-affairs-nazi-rumors/ |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=CBS News |date=May 30, 2012 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725175906/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jesse-james-addresses-affairs-nazi-rumors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> James' lawyer claimed that the hat was a gift from a Jewish mentor and that James is not a neo-Nazi.<ref name="cnn-2010">{{cite news |last1=Duke |first1=Alan |title=Lawyer: Jesse James is no neo-Nazi |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/03/31/jesse.james.treatment/index.html |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=CNN |date=April 2, 2010 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120112001/https://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/03/31/jesse.james.treatment/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Us'' subsequently printed additional photos that had been posted to Facebook by former West Coast Choppers employees showing James and Nazi imagery.<ref name="today-2011" /> A friend of James explained to the magazine that the "swastika deal" is "part of biker culture".<ref name="slate-2011">{{cite news |last1=Beam |first1=Christopher |title=Highway to Heil |url=https://slate.com/culture/2011/01/jesse-james-nazi-photos-how-common-is-nazi-iconography-among-bikers.html |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=Slate |date=January 27, 2011 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111215922/https://slate.com/culture/2011/01/jesse-james-nazi-photos-how-common-is-nazi-iconography-among-bikers.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Jesse}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Television personalities from California]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Motorcycle builders]]
[[Category:People from Lynwood, California]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:The Apprentice (franchise) contestants]]