Johnny Knoxville (born Philip John Clapp, March 11, 1971) is an American entertainer widely known for blending physical comedy with dangerous stunts. He is credited as a performer and creative force in prank- and stunt-based entertainment, and has worked as an actor, comedian, filmmaker and stunt performer. Knoxville rose to public attention as the co-creator and star of the MTV television series Jackass, which established his public persona.
Early development and breakthrough
Knoxville grew up in Tennessee and adopted a stage name that references his hometown. Early in his career he became involved with the skateboarding and alternative magazine scene and produced short, stunt-focused videos and segments. Those shorts, together with a provocative style of on-camera humor and collaborations with like-minded performers, led to a television project pitched to a youth audience and eventual placement on MTV.
Career highlights and selected work
- Star and co-creator of the Jackass television series and subsequent feature films, which mixed pranks, sketches and dangerous stunts.
- Mainstream film acting roles that extended his visibility beyond stunt work, often balancing comedic and narrative parts.
- Producer and occasional director on projects connected to the Jackass brand and related spin-offs.
Knoxville has worked repeatedly with a group of collaborators who appear across Jackass projects and related productions. His filmography includes both ensemble stunt films and solo-led narrative features, demonstrating a crossover from subcultural television into broader commercial cinema.
Style, reception and legacy
His public image centers on physical risk, practical jokes and boundary-pushing sketches that prioritize shock, pain and absurdity for comedic effect. Jackass and its offshoots prompted debate about safety, influence on viewers and media responsibility, while also inspiring a wave of reality-based stunt entertainment. Knoxville has sustained numerous injuries over years of performing stunts and has spoken indirectly about the costs of that work.
Today Knoxville remains identified with the genre he helped popularize. His career illustrates how a provocative, grassroots concept can expand into television, film and a persistent cultural footprint, influencing performers and formats that emphasize live-action stunts and prank-driven comedy.