Johnny Knoxville’s Net Worth: How Did the 'Jackass' Star Make Millions and Become a Household Name for Pulling Wild, Dangerous Stunts?

Best known as the co-creator and star of the MTV reality series Jackass, Johnny Knoxville may be every parent's nightmare. He became famous for performing wild and often dangerous stunts for the show. Johnny quickly rose to fame and went on to star in Jackass movies and spin-off shows. 

During his early career, Johnny drew the ire of concerned parents for stunts like setting himself on fire to use his body as a barbecue and even encountered lawsuits from pranks gone wrong. Still, he has continued to make a name for himself as he grows his wealth. This guide will tell you everything you want to know about Johnny Knoxville’s net worth, career, acting roles, and how he got so rich. 

Who is Johnny Knoxville?

Johnny Knoxville was born Philip John Clapp on March 11, 1971, in Knoxville, TN, to parents Philip, a car salesman, and Lemoyne, a Sunday school teacher. Johnny attended Knoxville's South-Doyle High School, where he played on the baseball team. Johnny credits Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road for inspiring him to become an actor. After graduating high school in 1989, Johnny relocated to California to pursue his acting goals.

Once in Los Angeles, Johnny landed work in commercials to support his wife and infant daughter. However, when Johnny couldn’t secure the big acting break he wanted, he decided to create his own opportunities, writing and pitching article ideas to magazines as a freelance writer. At this time, he also legally changed his name to Johnny Knoxville because he wanted a “snappier name.” 

Johnny’s article idea to test out self-defense equipment on himself caught the attention of Big Brother, a skateboarding publication. The magazine’s editor, Jeff Tremaine, filmed Johnny’s stunts, including dousing himself with pepper spray and shooting himself with a stun gun, and included it in a Big Brother video. 

That was the beginning of a partnership between Johnny and Jeff that resulted in MTV’s Jackass reality TV series that made Johnny Knoxville a household name.

Johnny Knoxville’s Breakthrough Role on Jackass

When MTV saw the Big Brother video, Jackass was born, with Johnny filling the roles as co-creator and star. Johnny's part in the series involved performing an array of stupid and dangerous pranks and stunts like crazy bicycle jumps and gross-out eating challenges. Johnny was joined on Jackass by other stunt performers and jokesters, Steve-O, Preston Lacy, and Bam Margera, among others.

Although Jackass only ran three short seasons from 2000 to 2001, it solidified Johnny Knoxville as a break-out star and household name. MTV ended the reruns of the controversial show in 2002, but it was already on its way to becoming a media franchise. 

Spin-offs from Jackass include:

• Wildboyz
• Viva La Bam
• Homewrecker
• Blastazoid
• Bam’s Unholy Union
• Dr. Steve-O

There were also nine feature films from the Jackass franchise, a video game, merchandise, and more. As a result of Johnny’s rise to popularity, he received roles in other films, including Men in Black II, Lords of Dogtown, and The Dukes of Hazzard, and he made dozens of appearances on television shows. He was also a voice actor in the 2014 animated film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

What is Johnny Knoxville’s net worth?

Johnny Knoxville net worth 2022 is an estimated $75 million. He achieved this level of wealth through his reality tv show Jackass and the moves, endorsements, and brand collaborations that followed. 

How Has Johnny Knoxville Made Money? 

While Johnny Knoxville has built his wealth from his television and movie earnings, he has also earned money for his roles behind the scenes. For example, he co-owns Dickhouse Productions with Jackass co-creators Spike Jonze and Jeff Tremaine and owns another production company, Hello Junior. Both companies have had lucrative film projects. 

Additionally, Johnny got involved in professional wrestling promotion for WWE, appearing as a guest star and participating in various wrestling matches. 

FAQs

How much money does Johnny Knoxville make?

Johnny Knoxville makes an estimated $8 million each year from acting roles, production companies, and other endeavors like screenwriting, brand endorsements, and special appearances.

What is Johnny Knoxville’s net worth?

Johnny Knoxville’s net worth is approximately $75 million.

How did Johnny Knoxville start his stunt career?

Johnny began his stunt career while pitching articles to magazines. One article pitch involved Johnny testing out self-defense equipment like pepper spray and stun guns on himself. Editor Jeff Tremaine with Big Brother magazine took him up on it and filmed Johnny performing the stunts to include in a Big Brother video. This video caught the attention of MTV producers, who began working with Jeff and Johnny to create the Jackass series.

What acting roles has Johnny Knoxville had?

Johnny Knoxville has had dozens of acting roles in films and on television. 

Some of his most notable acting roles include:

• Charlie on Men in Black II
• Topper in Lords of Dogtown
• Luke Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard
• Kirk on Nature Calls
• Ted Wick on Mainstream
• CJ on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
• Himself on WWE SmackDown

What special equipment does Johnny Knoxville use for self-defense?

Self Defense Test was Johnny’s first stunt that caught the eye of the editor of Big Brother magazine. It led to a video where Johnny tried out several different self-defense equipment on himself. The special equipment he used included: red pepper spray, a stun gun, a taser, and a .38 special while wearing a bulletproof vest. This video later became part of the Jackass pilot show.

What spin-off shows have come from the Jackass franchise?

Spin-off shows and films in the Jackass franchise include:

• Viva La Bam
• Wildboyz
• Bam’s Unholy Union
• Bad Grandpa
• Homewrecker
• Dr. Steve O
• Blastazoid
• The Dudesons
• Nitro Circus

How has Johnny Knoxville’s fame impacted his career?

As a result of his fame, Johnny Knoxville lives a luxurious lifestyle with his wife, Naomi Nelson, and three children. Through his stunt jobs, he has experienced countless injuries and at least four concussions, which is why he no longer performs dangerous stunts in his career. These days, he focuses more on screenwriting and producing, although he occasionally makes special appearances in films and television. 

What acting jobs has Johnny Knoxville had outside of the Jackass franchise?

Johnny has had dozens of acting roles outside the Jackass franchise in film and television. He's appeared in films like Coyote Ugly, Men in Black II, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Polar. His television appearances include The Ben Stiller Show, Saturday Night Live, 

King of the Hill, Unhitched, The Goode Family, SpongeBob SquarePants, and more.

What is Johnny Knoxville's nationality?

Johnny Knoxville is an American actor, producer, comedian, screenwriter, and stunt performer. 

Takeaway

Johnny Knoxville, the mastermind behind the Jackass empire, has proven to be a true hustler. Not only did he create and star in the hit MTV series, but he also co-founded production company Dickhouse Productions, which produced not only Jackass, but also spin-off series and films, as well as merchandise bearing the Jackass logo. 

Knoxville's entrepreneurial spirit doesn't stop there - he's also a partner in clothing company Chinatown Market and a spokesperson for energy drink Gamma Labs G Fuel. 

Entrepreneurs, take note: Knoxville's ability to think creatively, take risks, and build successful brands is a lesson in hustle.

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