SmartLess "Johnny Knoxville"
Jan 31, 2022
Johnny Knoxville, the fearless actor and stunt performer behind the Jackass franchise, shares wild tales from his daring career. He reminisces about his Tennessee roots, where he dreamt of a life beyond the ordinary. Knoxville dives into the creative risks involved in producing outrageous content and reflects on the evolution of Jackass amidst industry scrutiny. With a mix of nostalgia and laughter, he discusses the camaraderie formed through their surreal stunts and the challenges of sharing that legacy with their children.
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Knoxville's Early LA Life
- Johnny Knoxville moved to LA to become an actor, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts briefly.
- He partied for six years until his girlfriend's pregnancy motivated him to pursue acting and writing.
Self-Defense Stunts
- Knoxville's writing led to participatory journalism, like testing self-defense equipment on himself.
- This involved pepper spray, stun guns, and shooting himself while wearing a bulletproof vest.
Jackass and MTV
- Knoxville's Jackass series ran for nine or ten months before he quit due to MTV's new restrictions.
- Senator Joseph Lieberman's campaign against Hollywood violence led to an OSHA person being assigned to the show, limiting stunts.