Johnny Knoxville’s biography, age, Jackass career, net worth, and family life in this complete 2026 profile of the stunt legend.
Johnny Knoxville turned pain into pop culture. As the co-creator and face of the Jackass franchise, he built a career on outrageous stunts and fearless comedy. This Johnny Knoxville biography covers his early life, rise to fame, family, and net worth as of 2026.
Born Philip John Clapp, Knoxville transformed a magazine stunt idea into one of the most influential entertainment franchises of the 2000s. More than two decades later, he remains a recognizable figure in film, television, and comedy.
Quick Facts About Johnny Knoxville
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip John Clapp |
| Stage Name | Johnny Knoxville |
| Date of Birth | March 11, 1971 |
| Age (2026) | 55 |
| Birthplace | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Profession | Actor, stunt performer, producer, screenwriter |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
| Children | 3 (Madison, Rocko, Arlo) |
| Former Spouses | Melanie Cates (m. 1995–div. 2008), Naomi Nelson (m. 2010–div. 2024) |
| Current Spouse | Emily Ting (m. 2025) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Approximately $50–75 million |
Early Life and Family
Johnny Knoxville was born Philip John Clapp in Knoxville, Tennessee, the city that later inspired his stage name. He grew up with an interest in storytelling and adventure long before stunts became his trademark. His path toward performance took shape gradually, shaped by an offbeat curiosity that set him apart from more conventional career tracks.
His early influences included literature that romanticized restlessness and risk-taking. That spirit of chasing the unconventional eventually pushed him toward acting and, later, toward the stunt-driven comedy that would define his career. Long before fame, Knoxville pursued creative outlets wherever he could find them, including freelance magazine writing.
Education
Knoxville’s path to stardom did not run through film school or formal training. Instead, his creative instincts developed through writing and hands-on experience in entertainment media. He began contributing stunt-related articles to magazines, testing self-defense gadgets and dangerous products on himself for review pieces.
That early magazine work became the direct blueprint for what would eventually become Jackass. Rather than academic credentials, Knoxville built his career on improvisation, personal risk, and a willingness to turn discomfort into entertainment.
Career
Knoxville’s breakout concept began with a magazine article in which he tested self-defense weapons on himself, documenting the painful results. That approach caught the attention of collaborators Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze, and together the trio developed the idea into a stunt-based television series. Jackass premiered on MTV in 2000 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon built around outrageous, often painful stunts performed by Knoxville and his crew.
The show’s success launched a franchise of feature films, including Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D, and Jackass Forever, along with the spinoff Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. Knoxville expanded beyond stunts into traditional acting roles, appearing in Men in Black II, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Ringer, and the Screamers franchise. He also lent his voice to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and took on television roles in shows like Reboot and The Last Frontier.
More recently, Knoxville has hosted the Fear Factor reboot and continued producing new Jackass content, including a 2026 release billed as the franchise’s final installment. Despite the physical toll of his stunt career, including a brain hemorrhage sustained while filming Jackass Forever, he has remained active across film, television, and podcasting.
Personal Life
Knoxville has been married three times. His first marriage, to Melanie Cates, lasted from 1995 to 2008 and produced his eldest daughter, Madison, born in 1996. He later married documentary filmmaker Naomi Nelson in 2010, and the couple welcomed two children together, son Rocko in 2009 and daughter Arlo in 2011.
Knoxville filed for divorce from Nelson in 2022, citing irreconcilable differences, and the divorce was finalized in 2024. The former couple has maintained a private, low-conflict co-parenting relationship since the split. In November 2025, Knoxville married costume designer Emily Ting, marking a new chapter in his personal life.
Despite his daredevil public image, Knoxville has described himself as a protective, hands-on father. He has spoken openly about parenthood being one of the most meaningful parts of his life, while also noting that he hopes his children choose safer career paths than his own.
Net Worth and Earnings
Johnny Knoxville’s estimated 2026 net worth ranges between $50 million and $75 million, depending on the source, with $50 million cited most consistently by financial outlets. His wealth stems primarily from his role as a creator, star, and producer of the Jackass franchise, which has generated substantial box-office and media revenue since 2000.
Beyond Jackass, Knoxville has earned income through film roles, television projects, podcasting, and hosting duties on shows like Fear Factor. His dual role as both performer and producer across the Jackass franchise has allowed him to benefit from profit participation in addition to acting fees, distinguishing his earnings from those of his co-stars.
A Legacy Built on Fearlessness
Johnny Knoxville turned self-inflicted chaos into a multimedia empire, proving that audacity could be both entertainment and enterprise. From magazine stunts to blockbuster films, his career reflects a rare willingness to risk everything for a laugh.
As Jackass approaches what may be its final chapter, Knoxville’s influence on stunt comedy and reality entertainment remains firmly intact. His story is a reminder that reinvention, and a high tolerance for pain, can build a lasting career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Johnny Knoxville?
Johnny Knoxville, born Philip John Clapp on March 11, 1971, is an American actor, stunt performer, and producer. He is best known as the co-creator and star of the Jackass franchise. As of 2026, he continues to work in film, television, and hosting.
Q2: What is Johnny Knoxville’s net worth?
Johnny Knoxville’s estimated net worth ranges from $50 million to $75 million as of 2026. Most of his wealth comes from the Jackass franchise, where he served as both performer and producer. Additional income comes from film roles, television hosting, and podcasting.
Q3: Is Johnny Knoxville married?
Yes, Johnny Knoxville is currently married to costume designer Emily Ting, whom he wed in November 2025. He was previously married to Melanie Cates from 1995 to 2008 and to Naomi Nelson from 2010 to 2024.
Q4: Does Johnny Knoxville have children?
Yes, Johnny Knoxville has three children. His eldest daughter, Madison, was born in 1996 during his first marriage, while son Rocko and daughter Arlo were born during his marriage to Naomi Nelson.
Q5: How did Johnny Knoxville become famous?
He gained fame by creating and starring in MTV’s Jackass, a stunt-based reality show that debuted in 2000. The concept originated from a magazine article in which he tested self-defense products on himself.
Q6: Is there a new Jackass movie?
Yes, a new Jackass release, described as the franchise’s final installment, came out in 2026. It reunited Knoxville with longtime collaborators for what is being positioned as the series’ send-off.
Q7: What other shows has Johnny Knoxville hosted or starred in?
Beyond Jackass, Knoxville has hosted the Fear Factor reboot and appeared in television series like Reboot and The Last Frontier. He has also acted in films including The Dukes of Hazzard, The Ringer, and Men in Black II.
