Johnny Knoxville, born Philip John Clapp on March 11, 1971, in Knoxville, Tennessee, is an American stunt performer, actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known as the co-creator and star of the MTV reality stunt show “Jackass,” which showcased dangerous and often absurd stunts and pranks.
Early Life and Education
Knoxville was born to Lemoyne and Philip Clapp; his mother was a Sunday school teacher, and his father was a car and tire salesman. He has two older sisters. A significant influence in his early life was his cousin, singer-songwriter Roger Alan Wade, who gave him a copy of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road,” sparking his interest in acting.
He attended South-Young High School in Knoxville, where he played on the baseball team and was named All-Knoxville Interscholastic League Honorable Mention. After graduating in 1989, he moved to California to pursue an acting career. Initially, he appeared in commercials and worked as an extra, including a role as Keanu Reeves’ stand-in for the film “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992).
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Philip John Clapp (Johnny Knoxville) |
|---|---|
| Age | 54 years old |
| Birthday | March 11, 1971 |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Occupation | Stunt Performer, Actor, Producer, Screenwriter |
| Known For | Co-creator and star of “Jackass” |
| Net Worth | Approximately $75 million |
Career Highlights and Lows
Knoxville’s career took a significant turn when he pitched an idea to test self-defense equipment on himself, which caught the attention of Jeff Tremaine’s skateboarding magazine, “Big Brother.” The stunts were filmed and included in the magazine’s video series, leading to the creation of “Jackass” on MTV in 2000. The show’s success led to several feature films, including “Jackass: The Movie” (2002), “Jackass Number Two” (2006), and “Jackass 3D” (2010).
Beyond “Jackass,” Knoxville pursued acting in various films. He starred in “Men in Black II” (2002) as a two-headed alien, portrayed Luke Duke in “The Dukes of Hazzard” (2005), and voiced Leonardo in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2014). He also co-produced and starred in “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” (2013), which blended hidden camera pranks with a narrative storyline.
Throughout his career, Knoxville has been known for performing dangerous stunts, leading to numerous injuries. He has suffered concussions, broken bones, and other serious injuries. In “Jackass Forever” (2022), a stunt involving a bull resulted in a traumatic brain injury, causing concerns among his family and leading Knoxville to reconsider performing high-risk stunts in the future.
Despite the physical toll, Knoxville’s contributions to entertainment, particularly in the realm of stunt performance and reality television, have been significant. His fearless approach and willingness to push boundaries have left a lasting impact on the genre.
Recent Developments
As of 2024, Knoxville has acknowledged the need to step back from performing dangerous stunts due to the cumulative impact of his injuries. He has expressed a desire to focus on his health and spend more time with his family, indicating a shift towards less physically demanding roles in the entertainment industry.
Knoxville’s career reflects a blend of daring performance art and mainstream entertainment, making him a unique figure in Hollywood. His journey from a young man in Knoxville, Tennessee, to a household name in stunt performance showcases his resilience and dedication to his craft.
