Johnny Knoxville Eats His Last Meal

Jackass did not begin as a television show concept. Knoxville was initially commissioned to write an article for Big Brother magazine about testing self-defense equipment. It was T-Maine, who later directed Jackass films, who suggested filming the stunts, leading to the creation of the iconic video series and subsequent TV show.

Knoxville states, 'I was just going to write the article on self-defense equipment. And Tmaine, who now directs Jackass, said, 'Well, you should film it, too.''

Knoxville traces his propensity for pranks and risk-taking directly back to his childhood, influenced by his father who was a 'big huge prankster.' This upbringing, combined with being the 'baby of the family' and growing up in a 'hard-going' part of the country, shaped his early approach to life and stunts.

Knoxville explains, 'My dad was a big huge prankster and he pranked all his friends constantly growing up. Uh I was the baby of the family. I was just spoiled.' He also mentions his father's drinking and the fear it instilled.

Knoxville voluntarily quit the original Jackass TV show after only nine months because MTV, under political pressure from Senator Joe Lieberman, imposed strict safety regulations, including an OSHA representative on set. He felt these restrictions compromised the show's core identity and he refused to 'do it half-ass.'

Knoxville states, 'because of all the heat brought down on Viacom and MTV... there was a OSHA guy. Oh, you guys can't jump off anything higher than 4 ft. I'm like, what are you talking about? Have you seen what we do? So, I was like, I I love Jackass too much to like do it half ass, so I just quit.'

Despite criticism, Jackass provided a unique outlet for 'bad kids' in high school who might otherwise have engaged in more destructive behaviors. The show's stunts offered a creative, albeit dangerous, channel for their energy and desire for attention.

The host recounts, 'at my high school there was a separate click that were just the jackass kids... They had an outlet.' Knoxville responds, 'That makes me happy that there were jackass kids that... that actually makes me uh very happy.'

A severe concussion from a bull stunt sent Knoxville 'offline' for six months, causing him to experience his brain giving him 'bad information.' This traumatic event led him to seek therapy and establish firm boundaries, particularly regarding future head injuries, marking a significant shift in his approach to stunts and personal well-being.

Knoxville details, 'this one completely sent me offline for like 6 months... people would tell me like what you're thinking is happening is not happening. Your bl your brain's just playing tricks on you.' He later states, 'I can't get another concussion. So that kind of stuff is out and that's tough.'

After years of living 'fast, faster, and disaster,' Knoxville found happiness later in life by addressing his internal struggles. He highlights therapy as an 'excellent place to start to give you some tools' for self-improvement and achieving inner peace.

Knoxville states, 'for many years it was just uh fast forward and uh eventually you know you start thinking about things but I did it for quite a long time... If you have like little to no tools, yeah, therapy is an excellent place to start to give you some tools.' He concludes, 'Yes, I am. Finally. I'm not at war with myself.'