Johnny Knoxville

Biography

Johnny Knoxville was born on March 11, 1971, in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014).

 He has been married to Naomi Nelson since September 24, 2010. They have two children. He was previously married to Melanie Lynn Cates.

There was a bidding war between Comedy Central and MTV over Johnny. MTV won, thus Jackass (2000) was born.

At the age of eight, he had the flu, pneumonia, and bronchitis all at the same time and nearly died.

Was knocked unconscious three times during the making of Jackass: The Movie (2002).

Was able to make friends with his hero Hunter S. Thompson before his respective death.

His hair turned grey in his late twenties, a few years prior to the creation in 2000. However, he had always kept it dyed a dark brown. 

However, in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic halted filming and Knoxville's bi-weekly dyeing routine. On April 12th, 2020, he made an Instagram post revealing to his fans his grey hair, deciding to embrace it.

He, along with the soon-to-be Jackass crew, was offered a spot on Saturday Night Live (1975), but turned it down. Later, on May 7, 2005, he hosted the show.

Has a scar on his scalp from getting a punch from professional super-heavyweight boxer "Butterbean" during a segment of Jackass: The Movie (2002).

Suffers from asthma.

Executed co-star Dwayne Johnson's signature WWE finisher, "The People's Elbow" in Walking Tall (2004).

Is an avid Johnny Cash fan.

Grew up in southern Knoxville, Tennessee.

His all-time favorite comedy is Blazing Saddles (1974). Other favorite films of his include A Face in the Crowd (1957), Harold and Maude (1971), Cinema Paradiso (1988), Heartworn Highways (1976), and Young Frankenstein (1974). He also cites Mel Brooks as one of his biggest heroes.

Has his own production company, Dickhouse Productions, which co-produces most of his productions (e.g. Jackass).

Won his role in Grand Theft Parsons (2003) after Hugh Jackman had to drop out due to prior commitments.

Has had sixteen concussions.

Second child with wife, Naomi Nelson, a daughter named Arlo, born October 6, 2011.

Before the creation of Jackass (2000), he was a writer for the Big Brother skateboarding magazine. Despite this, he cannot ride a skateboard.

His ex-wife Melanie is from Texas and is a clothing designer. They have a daughter named Madison, born in 1996.

Appeared twice on the cover of GQ magazine: September '03 and August '05.

Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his roles in the films Daltry Calhoun (2005), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), and The Ringer (2005), however, he failed to receive a nomination.

He has English, and some German and Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, ancestry (his parents' surnames, Clapp and Houck, are both of German origin). His family has lived in the American South for many generations.

He has his eldest daughter's name, Madison, tattooed on the left side of his chest.

He is friends with heavyweight fighter Eric "Butterbean" Esch. At the Larry Holmes v. Butterbean fight in 2002, he autographed fight promoter Frank Azzalina's model-daughter Stephanie Amaya's evening gown.

He played football when he was in elementary and middle school. He also played football and baseball when he was in high school.

His late father, Philip Clapp, owned a tire company in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He and his girlfriend, Naomi Nelson, became the parents of a boy, Rocko Akira Clapp, on December 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. Rocko weighed in at 8 pounds and measured 20 inches.

Was writing for a skateboarding magazine called Big Brother when he did a story about self-defense equipment, which he tried on himself while Jeff Tremaine (editor for Big Brother) filmed it.

 These led to the Big Brother Videos Shit, Number Two, and Boob, which helped raise the profile for LandSpeed presents: CKY, CKY2K, and CKY3, which were all produced by Bam Margera.

He was originally cast to play the voice of the main antagonist, Mandrake in Epic (2013), however, dropped out last minute for unknown reasons, being replaced by Christoph Waltz. It is unknown whether he recorded any lines for the part. Strangely, Knoxville continues to be mistakenly listed in the film's cast regularly online, such as in online DVD listings.

Attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California.

Attended South-Young High School in Knoxville, Tennessee

Has two older sisters, Lynne Draughon and Krisden Parrott.

In December 2015, Collider announced that he would reprise the role of Leonardo (voice only) in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016). But, seemingly without explanation, Knoxville was excluded in favor of actor Pete Ploszek performing both the mo-cap and voice of the character. Knoxville has since claimed that he was never contacted regarding this decision.

Has worked with actor David Koechner on four different films: Life Without Dick (2002), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), Small Apartments (2012), and Daltry Calhoun (2005).

Son of Phil Clapp and Lemoyne Knoxville (maiden name Houck.).