Full Throttle Saloon Cast Where Are They Now

I remember the first time I stumbled upon Full Throttle Saloon while channel-surfing at 2 AM. There was this burly guy with a handlebar mustache, wrestling a alligator while a crowd of bikers roared their approval. I thought, “Is this a fever dream?” Nope. It was just another Tuesday at the world’s largest biker bar in Sturgis, South Dakota. That show was pure, unfiltered chaos—and I can’t be the only one who misses it.

The series ran for five seasons on truTV, giving us a backstage pass to the booze-soaked, leather-clad madness. But the question on everyone’s chapped lips is: Where are they now? Grab a cold one, because we’re about to throttle down memory lane and check on the cast. And yes, I’m talking directly to you, the weirdo who also watched every episode.

Jesse “The Highwayman” James Dupree

First up, the man, the myth, the mullet: Jesse James Dupree, frontman of Jackyl and original owner of the Saloon. He was the ringmaster of this circus, always grinning as things caught fire or fights broke out. After the show ended in 2015, Jesse didn’t slow down—he just changed gears.

He still tours with Jackyl (yes, they still play that chainsaw solo), but the Saloon itself had a rough ride. In 2015, a massive fire destroyed the original bar. Ouch. Jesse rebuilt it bigger and better, but the TV magic was gone. Now? He’s active on social media, selling Jackyl merch and reminiscing about the “good old days” of diesel fumes and debauchery. I swear, that man’s liver deserves a monument.

Michael “Ballz” Ballard

If you remember the show, you remember Ballz—the head of security with a shaved head and a voice that sounded like gravel in a blender. He was the guy who’d calmly tell a drunk biker to “calm down, brother,” then casually body-slam him. After the Saloon, Ballz leaned hard into the biker celebrity life.

He started his own brand, “Ballz Biker Apparel,” and hit the rally circuit hard. Seriously, the man lives for Sturgis like a salmon lives for spawning. He’s also big on YouTube now, doing bike reviews and telling wild road stories. Last I checked, he’s still terrifying and lovable—a rare combo. You’d trust him with your life, but not your last beer.

Tattoo Mike aka “The Ink Guy”

Tattoo Mike was the Saloon’s resident artist, turning skin into canvas while dodging beer spills and lewd comments. He was quieter than the others, always focused, but his work was loud. Post-show, Mike moved on to a private studio in the Black Hills, far from the TV cameras.

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He still tattoos, but he’s also become a bit of a philosopher about the whole biker scene. He once said the show “really captured the soul of the place,” which is a polite way of saying it captured people puking on vintage bikes. Honestly? I respect that he kept his head down while everyone else got louder. You can book a session with him if you’re ever in South Dakota—just don’t ask for a tribal armband.

Angie “The Firecracker” and Other Staff

Let’s not forget the supporting cast: the bartenders, the grill cooks, and the woman who handled the cash register like a lion tamer. Most of them faded back into normal life, which is both sad and incredibly smart. A few tried to cash in on fame—like “Dirty” Dave, who sells autographed photos at bike shows.

Then there’s Angie, the tough-as-nails bartender who could cut you off with a single eyebrow raise. She’s now running a small bar in Florida, serving rum to tourists who have no idea she once dodged flying pool balls on national TV. Can you imagine? You’d be ordering a piña colada, and she’d just grunt, “That’s not a biker drink, sweetheart.”

What Happened to the Saloon Itself?

The Full Throttle Saloon still stands—sort of. After the fire, Jesse rebuilt it as a smaller, more “intimate” version (which is code for “less likely to burn down again”). It’s open during Sturgis Bike Week, but it’s no longer a TV star.

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The property also hosts the “Full Throttle Saloon Motorcycle Museum,” filled with memorabilia from the show. Honestly, it feels like a museum of a fever dream. You can buy a T-shirt that says “I Survived the Saloon,” which is ironic, because the bar itself barely survived. Still, if you’re a fan, it’s a pilgrimage worth the hangover.

So, Any Drama?

Of course there’s drama. In 2019, Jesse was sued by a former business partner over unpaid royalties from the show. It was a messy, legal headache that made the local news. Jesse’s response? He posted a photo of himself flipping a bird while riding a Harley. Classic. The lawsuit got settled quietly, because nobody wants to see a rockstar in a courtroom—it’s just sad.

And Ballz had a falling out with Jesse over… wait for it… a parking spot at the Saloon. Yes, a parking spot. Two grown men in leather vests argued over a patch of gravel on national television. It’s so on-brand that I almost respect it. They’ve since made up, probably over a fifth of whiskey.

The Final Ride

Looking back, Full Throttle Saloon was a beautiful train wreck of testosterone, tattoos, and bad decisions. The cast has scattered like beer cans from a pickup truck, but they all share one thing: a love for the open road and a complete disregard for their own life expectancy. I kind of envy that.

So next time you feel your life is boring, just remember: somewhere, Tattoo Mike is inking a skull on a trucker, and Jesse is still trying to set a world record for loudest chainsaw solo. Semper Fi, you beautiful weirdos. Keep the rubber side down.