It’s Johnny Knoxville‘s birthday! To mark the occasion, here are five performances from the acclaimed stuntman turned mediocre actor. Check some of these out!
Jackass Forever (2022)
After over a decade of calling it quits from performing crazy stunts for people all over the world, the Jackass crew decided that it was time for one final outing. Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine along with original members Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason “Wee-Man- Acuna, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Ehren McGhehey as well as new members bring just as many crazy stunts and pranks as they did back when the franchise first started. Johnny Knoxville, known for his daring stunts, took one last risk by entering the bull ring. Unfortunately, this move caused him to lose consciousness and end up in the hospital, leaving him worried about his life. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat, and Johnny Knoxville is the cat that curiosity killed. This stunt could be the deciding factor as to whether he’ll retire from stunts for good. Despite delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the movie was a huge success at the box office, due to its nostalgia factor and the much-needed fun it brought during a difficult time.
The Ringer (2005)
Following the success of Jackass: The Movie (2002), Johnny Knoxville decided to pursue his acting career which was his original intention before engaging in crazy stunts. However, his acting skills were not up to the mark, and he was unsuccessful in his acting career. The movie’s plot is absurd and lacks any redeeming qualities. In the movie, Johnny Knoxville pretends to have special needs and joins the Special Olympics to win the first prize money to help his father pay off his gambling debt and hospital bills. This movie is a clear example of a film that would never be made today. It is one of the most offensive movies ever made, and the people involved in it should be ashamed of themselves for participating in it.
The Dukes of Hazard (2005)
Someone inexplicably thought it was a good idea to reboot the classic and beloved TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard (1979). The fact that the remake stars Sean William Scott and Jessica Simpson of all people tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the acting and overall production. I’ve only watched this movie once and as far as I’m concerned, it was one time too many and it has to go down as one of the worst remakes ever made. The negativity it received is well-deserved. If anybody is wondering why Johnny Knoxville‘s acting career never took off after Jackass, the failure of both of these films should be more than obvious.
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)
Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine, after numerous appearances in the Jackass franchise, finally decided to make a movie that focused on Knoxville’s old man character, Irving Zisman. This movie would showcase Knoxville’s strengths by combining stunts performed in front of unsuspecting members of the public with a storyline that involved Irving being forced to travel across the country with his grandson, Billy (Jackson Nicoll). This movie is particularly entertaining for fans of the Jackass franchise, and the deleted scenes in Bad Grandpa 2.0 are just as good, if not better than the ones that made it to the final cut.
Action Point (2018)
This movie is based on the real-life theme park named Action Park, which was closing down at the time. The idea of making a movie about it was to draw attention to the extremely dangerous aspects of the theme park, which Johnny Knoxville visited in his youth. In the movie, he brings Irving Zisman out of retirement and narrates his experiences at the theme park to his “granddaughter” by alternating between the past and present. The movie focuses more on action than on stunts. While it may be of interest to some viewers, it is not essential to watch this movie.
Special Mention
Jackass (2000-2001)
The Jackass franchise, although short-lived, is regarded as one of the most iconic television shows ever created. As someone who grew up during its peak, I believe it not only defined the early 2000s but also an entire generation of people who sought something more than what the world offered at the time. However, it wasn’t just the stunts that made the show special. It was the personalities and camaraderie among the cast that made it endearing. The crazy antics between friends were relatable, as many could identify with doing silly things in their own backyards. Despite the warning labels at the beginning of each episode, which advised against recreating the stunts, many fans ignored them. This resulted in numerous injuries and even deaths. However, if you’re foolish enough to imitate something you see on TV, then you deserve the consequences. The three feature films that followed – Jackass: The Movie (2002), Jackass: Number Two (2006), and Jackass 3D (2010) – are must-watch movies, as each installment surpassed the previous one in terms of scale and excitement.
What are some of your favorite films to feature birthday boy Johnny Knoxville?