Johnny Knoxville is basically the patron saint of the "don't try this at home" generation. You know the vibe. A guy in a cheap suit, clutching a clipboard, getting launched out of a giant slingshot or taking a riot control beanbag to the chest. It’s been decades since he first appeared on MTV, but Johnny Knoxville movies and tv shows still carry this weird, magnetic energy that feels both nostalgic and terrifyingly relevant.
Most people just think of him as the guy who gets hit in the groin for a living. Honestly, that’s fair. But there’s a lot more to the Philip John Clapp (his real name, by the way) story than just broken bones and hospital bills. He’s a guy who tried to be a serious actor, failed, invented his own genre of "stunt-journalism," and then actually became a pretty decent character actor along the way.
The Jackass Era: Where It All Started
Before he was a household name, Knoxville was just another guy in LA trying to make it. He was a stand-in for Keanu Reeves on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Seriously. But the acting gigs weren't coming fast enough. He eventually pitched an idea to Jeff Tremaine at Big Brother magazine: he wanted to test self-defense equipment—like pepper spray and tasers—on himself.
That video was the spark.
When Jackass premiered on MTV in 2000, it was a lightning bolt. It wasn't just a show; it was a cultural shift. People hated it. Parents were terrified. The government even got involved because kids were mimicking the stunts. But for those of us watching, it was the purest form of friendship and chaos ever aired on television.
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It’s easy to forget that the original show only ran for three seasons. Just 25 episodes. Yet, the impact was so massive it spawned a multi-billion dollar franchise.
The Big Screen Transition
Moving to movies was the logical next step, even if the critics weren't ready for it. Jackass: The Movie (2002) was essentially a higher-budget version of the show with fewer censors. Then came Jackass Number Two in 2006, which many fans consider the peak of the series. By the time Jackass 3D arrived in 2010, the "boys" were getting older, but the stunts were getting more elaborate.
Then things went quiet for a while.
We lost Ryan Dunn in 2011. It felt like the party was over. But Knoxville has this relentless "wang dang and hot damn doodle" spirit. He came back with Bad Grandpa in 2013, proving he could carry a scripted narrative while still pulling off hidden-camera pranks on unsuspecting locals. It even got an Oscar nomination for Best Makeup. Let that sink in.
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Acting Beyond the Stunt Cage
If you look closely at Johnny Knoxville movies and tv shows, you’ll see a man who really wants to act. He’s got this weird, Southern charm that works surprisingly well in scripted roles.
- The Dukes of Hazzard (2005): He played Luke Duke. Was it a masterpiece? No. But it showed he could handle a big-budget Hollywood production.
- The Ringer (2005): This one was controversial. He played a guy who fakes a disability to enter the Special Olympics. It sounds terrible on paper, but the Farrelly brothers produced it, and it was actually made with the support of the Special Olympics. It has a surprising amount of heart.
- Men in Black II (2002): He was the two-headed alien, Scrad/Charlie. A weird role for a weird guy.
- The Last Stand (2013): He played a wacky gun enthusiast alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s a fun, underrated action flick.
- Reboot (2022): This Hulu series was a meta-commentary on the TV industry. Knoxville played a washed-up actor trying to get his life back together, and he was actually... really good? It showed a vulnerability we don't usually see when he's being chased by a bull.
He’s also done a ton of voice work. He was Leonardo in the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, though he didn't return for the sequel. He’s also popped up in SpongeBob SquarePants as Johnny Krill.
Why 2026 is the Year of the Jackass (Again)
Just when everyone thought Jackass Forever (2022) was the final goodbye, Knoxville dropped a bomb. In early January 2026, he took to Instagram to announce that Jackass 5 is coming to theaters on June 26, 2026.
It’s wild. The man is 54.
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During the filming of Jackass Forever, he suffered a traumatic brain injury from a bull stunt. He had a brain hemorrhage. He told interviewers he was done with big stunts. And yet, the pull of the crew—and the chance to make people laugh—seems too strong to resist.
The 2026 movie is reportedly being handled by Paramount Pictures. While the full cast hasn't been officially confirmed, there are rumors that Bam Margera might actually be returning to the fold after years of legal drama and personal struggles. If that happens, it’ll be the biggest comeback in reality TV history.
Actionable Insights for the Ultimate Knoxville Binge
If you're looking to revisit the chaos or catch up before the new movie hits this summer, here is the best way to navigate the Johnny Knoxville movies and tv shows catalog without getting overwhelmed.
- Start with the "Big Three": Watch Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D, and Jackass Forever. These represent the evolution of the crew from young punks to aging legends.
- Don't skip the ".5" versions: Jackass 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 aren't just deleted scenes. They are full-length features with some of the best behind-the-scenes footage and stunts that were "too much" for the theatrical release.
- Check out the "serious" stuff: If you want to see Knoxville actually act, watch Reboot or the indie film Grand Theft Parsons. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation for his range.
- The Documentary Side: Knoxville produced a documentary called Being Evel about his hero, Evel Knievel. It’s a fantastic look at the history of stunt performers and explains a lot about why Knoxville does what he does.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is just enjoy the ride. Knoxville has spent the last 25 years breaking his body for our entertainment. The least we can do is watch him do it one more time this June.
Whether he's Irving Zisman or just Johnny from Tennessee, he’s stayed true to that one simple goal: making his friends laugh. And luckily for us, we get to be a part of that friendship every time the cameras roll.
Keep an eye out for the official Jackass 5 trailer, which is expected to drop sometime in March. Grab your tickets early for the June 26th release—it's probably going to be the loudest, grossest, and funniest theater experience of the year.