Johnny Knoxville is celebrating a major milestone.
The “Jackass” creator and stunt performer turned 55 on Wednesday, March 11, marking more than two decades since he first shocked audiences with outrageous stunts that helped define a generation of MTV programming.
Knoxville Is From Tennessee
Born Philip John Clapp in Knoxville, Tennessee, the future TV star originally moved to California with dreams of becoming an actor.
Early on, however, success in Hollywood proved difficult to find. Knoxville appeared in commercials and small roles while searching for his big break.
That breakthrough eventually came in an unexpected way. Knoxville began pitching magazine ideas that involved testing self-defense equipment on himself.
The concept caught the attention of the skateboarding publication Big Brother. The stunts were filmed and later included in one of the magazine’s videos—laying the groundwork for what would eventually become “Jackass.”
When the footage began gaining attention, Knoxville teamed up with filmmaker Spike Jonze and director Jeff Tremaine to develop the concept into a television series.
‘Jackass’ Became Wildly Popular
The trio successfully pitched the show to MTV, and “Jackass” premiered in 2000.
The series quickly became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its wild pranks and dangerous stunts.
Knoxville often appeared as the unofficial leader of the group, alongside castmates including Steve-O, Chris Pontius, and Bam Margera. Although the show only ran for three seasons, its impact was enormous.
Following its television success, the franchise expanded into multiple movies, beginning with “Jackass: The Movie” in 2002. Sequels followed in 2006 and 2010, keeping the chaotic spirit of the original series alive for fans.
Knoxville Has Had a Series of Acting Roles
Knoxville also branched out into traditional acting roles.
Over the years, he appeared in films such as “Men in Black II,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “The Ringer.”
In 2013, he reprised one of his most famous characters, Irving Zisman, in the comedy “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.” He later lent his voice to Leonardo in the 2014 film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
Knoxville Has Three Children
Off screen, Knoxville’s life has evolved significantly since his early stunt days. The actor is a father of three.
Knoxville first became a father in 1996 when he welcomed daughter Madison with his then-wife Melanie Lynn Cates.
The couple married in 1995 but later separated after more than a decade together, eventually finalizing their divorce in the late 2000s.
A few years later, Knoxville began a relationship with Naomi Nelson. The pair welcomed their first child together, son Rocko Akira Clapp, in December 2009 before tying the knot in 2010. They later expanded their family again when daughter Arlo Lemoyne Yoko Clapp was born in 2011.
Knoxville and Nelson ended up divorcing. In November 2025, he quietly married filmmaker Emily Ting in a small ceremony after the two had dated for several years.
The couple reportedly met while working on the 2022 film “Jackass Forever.”
Despite decades in entertainment, Knoxville stated that the franchise that launched his career is winding down. He said the upcoming Jackass film will be the last one.
