Johnny Knoxville Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Jackass Career, Injuries & Facts
Johnny Knoxville is the fearless frontman of Jackass, the MTV stunt show that turned self-inflicted pain into comedy gold and became a global phenomenon. Born Philip John Clapp in Knoxville, Tennessee, he has spent over two decades entertaining millions while racking up 16 concussions and countless broken bones. In 2026, at age 55, he’s saying goodbye to the franchise that made him famous with Jackass: Best and Last, while embracing life as a newlywed and devoted father of three.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Philip John Clapp |
| Nick Name | Johnny Knoxville, P.J. |
| Profession | Stunt Performer, Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Comedian |
| Birth Date | March 11, 1971 |
| Age | 55 years 6 months old |
| Birth Place | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Co-creator and star of Jackass, Bad Grandpa, The Dukes of Hazzard |
| Ethnicity | White (American) |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Height | 6′ 1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 185 lbs (84 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown / Grey |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Attended American Academy of Dramatic Arts (dropped out) |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Married (3rd marriage) |
| Spouses | Melanie Cates (m. 1995; div. 2008), Naomi Nelson (m. 2010; div. 2024), Emily Ting (m. 2025) |
| Children | 3 (Madison, Rocko, Arlo) |
| Parents | Philip Clapp (father), Lemoyne Clapp (mother) |
| Siblings | 2 older sisters |
| Hobbies | Baseball, podcasting, creating chaos |
| Current Work | Jackass: Best and Last (2026), Mt. Mystic comedy series |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
| Net Worth | $50 million (2026 estimate) |
Related Names: Steve-O, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius, Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Eric André, Emily Ting, Bam Margera controversy.
Early Life & Education
Philip John Clapp was born on March 11, 1971, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Lemoyne Clapp, a Sunday school teacher, and Philip Clapp, a car and tire salesman. He grew up in South Knoxville with his two older sisters and developed a taste for mischief and adventure from an early age.
At age eight, Knoxville faced a near-death experience when he contracted the flu, pneumonia, and bronchitis simultaneously. He survived, but the ordeal may have shaped his later indifference to physical danger.
Knoxville attended South-Young High School (now South-Doyle High School), where he played on the baseball team and was named All-Knoxville Interscholastic League Honorable Mention as a pitcher. His cousin, singer-songwriter Roger Alan Wade, gave him a copy of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, which sparked his interest in acting.
After graduating in 1989, he moved to California to pursue acting. He briefly attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena on a scholarship but dropped out within weeks. He spent the next several years appearing in commercials and as an extra, including a job as Keanu Reeves’ stand-in on Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992).
Career Journey
From Magazine Writer to Jackass Creator (1990s–2000)
When acting roles didn’t materialize, Knoxville began writing and pitching article ideas to magazines. An idea to test self-defense equipment on himself caught the attention of Jeff Tremaine’s skateboarding magazine Big Brother. The stunts were filmed and included in the magazine’s “Number Two” video.
Tremaine produced a pilot using footage from Big Brother and Bam Margera’s CKY videos. With help from film director Spike Jonze, they pitched the series to MTV, and Jackass premiered in 2000. Knoxville became the de facto leader of the crew, and the show ran for three seasons until 2002.
The Jackass Film Franchise (2002–2026)
The success of the TV show led to a film franchise that would span over two decades:
- Jackass: The Movie (2002)
- Jackass Number Two (2006)
- Jackass 2.5 (2007)
- Jackass 3D (2010)
- Jackass 3.5 (2011)
- Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) — Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup
- Jackass Forever (2022)
- Jackass 4.5 (2022)
- Jackass: Best and Last (2026) — Final installment
The franchise grossed over $500 million worldwide, making it one of MTV’s most successful properties.
Acting Career Beyond Jackass
Knoxville has appeared in numerous films outside the Jackass franchise, including Men in Black II (2002), Walking Tall (2004), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), The Ringer (2005), Lords of Dogtown (2005), The Last Stand (2013), Skiptrace (2016), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), where he voiced Leonardo. On television, he starred in the series Reboot (2022) and hosted The Prank Panel with Eric André.
Recent Work (2024–2026)
In 2026, Knoxville has been as busy as ever. He joined the cast of the comedy series Mt. Mystic and released Jackass: Best and Last, which he confirmed would be the final film in the franchise. The movie premiered in theaters on June 26, 2026, and began streaming on Paramount+ on September 24, 2026.
He also served as the celebrity guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay for the Tennessee vs. Texas football game on September 26, 2026, proudly declaring, “I bleed orange. I’m rather excited to be the guest picker this weekend”.
Career Stats
- TV Shows: 5 series
- Films: 37+ movies
- Award Nominations: 15+
- Podcast: Pretty Sure I Can Fly with Elna Baker
- Production Company: Dickhouse Productions (co-founded with Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze)
Personal Life
Family
Knoxville was born to Philip and Lemoyne Clapp and has two older sisters. His cousin is singer-songwriter Roger Alan Wade.
Marriages and Children
First Marriage: Knoxville married Melanie Cates in 1995. They welcomed their daughter, Madison Clapp, on January 4, 1996. The couple divorced in 2008.
Second Marriage: He married Naomi Nelson in 2010. They have two children: son Rocko (born 2009) and daughter Arlo (born 2011). Knoxville filed for divorce in 2022, and it was finalized in August 2024.
Third Marriage: Knoxville married costume designer Emily Ting on November 16, 2025, in a small ceremony officiated by filmmaker John Waters. He announced the marriage on Instagram, writing, “Today Emily and I got married and I’m the luckiest and happiest fella in the universe”. The couple does not have children together.
Parenting Style
Despite his daredevil persona, Knoxville is a self-described “helicopter parent.” He told the First Class Fatherhood podcast that he’s always “very concerned” about his kids’ well-being. He has also said his children won’t follow in his stunt-performing footsteps. “They’re going to go to school and use their brain for something other than a test dummy,” he told LADbible.
Hobbies and Interests
Knoxville is a lifelong baseball fan who played from age 6 to 18. He hopes his son Rocko, a high school pitcher in California, will play for the University of Tennessee. He also hosts the podcast Pretty Sure I Can Fly and enjoys reading, having cited Jack Kerouac as a major influence.
Controversies
Bam Margera Feud
Knoxville has been embroiled in a public feud with former Jackass co-star Bam Margera, who was fired from Jackass Forever due to substance abuse issues and alleged threats against director Jeff Tremaine. In 2026, Margera stated he never wants to see Knoxville again, saying, “It’s just the decisions that Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine decided to make”.
$3 Million Taser Lawsuit
In 2024, TV producer Daniel Curry sued Knoxville for negligence and battery, alleging Knoxville “chased down and tased” him without provocation on the set of The Prank Panel in 2022. Curry claims he broke his fibula and tore a ligament, and that the incident led to him being blacklisted in the industry. The lawsuit is ongoing.
WWE Rivalry with Sami Zayn
Knoxville’s 2022 WWE feud with Sami Zayn culminated in a match at WrestleMania 39. The rivalry has continued into 2026, with Zayn making dark jokes about Knoxville’s brain injuries.
Awards & Achievements
- MTV Movie Award Nomination — Best Comedic Performance for Bad Grandpa (2014)
- Teen Choice Award Nomination — Best Comedy Actor for Bad Grandpa (2014)
- MTV Movie Award Nomination — Best On-Screen Duo for The Dukes of Hazzard (2006)
- Academy Award Nomination — Bad Grandpa nominated for Best Makeup (2014)
- Dickhouse Productions — Co-founded successful production company
- Cultural Icon — Jackass franchise recognized as a defining piece of 2000s pop culture
Physical Statistics
- Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 185 lbs (84 kg)
- Hair Color: Dark Brown (now greying)
- Eye Color: Brown
- Build: Lean, athletic
- Distinguishing Features: Signature Southern drawl, mischievous grin
- Injuries: 16 concussions, broken wrist, broken ribs, brain hemorrhage, torn ligaments
Quotes
“Hi, I’m Johnny Knoxville, and welcome to Jackass!” — Signature catchphrase
“I can’t do anything where I can get another concussion. I’m way over my limit for concussions, but I don’t care about anything else.” — On his traumatic brain injury from Jackass Forever
“This is the last ‘Jackass’ film the world will ever see. ‘Jackass’ means a hell of a lot for me.” — At CinemaCon 2026
“Today Emily and I got married and I’m the luckiest and happiest fella in the universe.” — Instagram, November 2025
Favorites
- Favorite Sport: Baseball (played pitcher in high school)
- Favorite Book: On the Road by Jack Kerouac
- Favorite Podcast: Pretty Sure I Can Fly
- Favorite Place: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Favorite Activity: “Be a dad, play with our crazy dog, hang out with my wife”
Earnings
Johnny Knoxville’s estimated net worth is $50 million as of 2026, making him the wealthiest member of the Jackass cast. His fortune comes primarily from the Jackass franchise, which he co-created and starred in, as well as film roles, production deals, and his podcast. A 2021 analysis estimated his hospital bills from stunt-related injuries at $8.6 million — the highest among the Jackass crew.
Interesting Facts
- Near-Death Experience: At age 8, he had flu, pneumonia, and bronchitis simultaneously and nearly died
- Stunt Insurance Nightmare: His body has endured 16 concussions, a brain hemorrhage, broken bones, and countless cuts and bruises
- Keanu Reeves’ Stand-In: Early in his career, he worked as Keanu Reeves’ stand-in on Bram Stoker’s Dracula
- Baseball Dreams: He was a talented pitcher in high school and hopes his son will play for the Tennessee Vols
- John Waters Wedding: Filmmaker John Waters officiated his 2025 wedding to Emily Ting
Did You Know Already?
- Knoxville’s real name is Philip John Clapp, and he still uses “P.J.” off-camera
- He co-founded Dickhouse Productions with Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze
- His Jackass character Irving Zisman from Bad Grandpa earned him an MTV Movie Award nomination
- He’s been a guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay for his hometown Tennessee Volunteers
- Despite his injuries, he has zero regrets about his career: “I’ve had a wonderful time”
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @johnnyknoxville — 4.2 million+ followers
- X (Twitter): @realjohnnyknox
- Podcast: Pretty Sure I Can Fly — Available on all major platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Johnny Knoxville in 2026?
Johnny Knoxville was born on March 11, 1971, so he is 55 years 6 months old in 2026.
What is Johnny Knoxville most famous for?
He is best known as the co-creator and star of MTV’s Jackass and its film franchise, including Bad Grandpa and Jackass Forever.
How many concussions has Johnny Knoxville had?
He has suffered 16 concussions throughout his career, including a severe brain hemorrhage from a bull stunt in Jackass Forever.
Who is Johnny Knoxville married to?
He married costume designer Emily Ting on November 16, 2025. It’s his third marriage.
How many children does Johnny Knoxville have?
He has three children: daughter Madison (b. 1996), son Rocko (b. 2009), and daughter Arlo (b. 2011).
What is Johnny Knoxville’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is $50 million as of 2026, making him the richest Jackass star.
Is Jackass: Best and Last really the final film?
Yes. Knoxville has confirmed that Jackass: Best and Last (2026) is the final installment in the franchise, calling it “the natural place to end”.
Conclusion
Johnny Knoxville has built one of the most unlikely and enduring careers in entertainment history. From a small-town Tennessee kid to the face of a global stunt franchise, he’s sacrificed his body for laughs and earned a devoted fanbase in the process. As he closes the Jackass chapter in 2026, he’s focused on family, his new marriage to Emily Ting, and whatever chaos he can still cook up — just as long as it doesn’t involve another hit to the head.
If you enjoyed this biography, please share it with fellow Jackass fans and anyone who loves a good comeback story!
