Characters in Jackass have defined a wild era of entertainment. The iconic characters in Jackass turned simple ideas into legendary moments full of laughs, shocks, and yes, a lot of pain. This franchise started on MTV and grew into movies that millions still watch today. The characters in Jackass are not actors playing roles—they are real friends doing real stunts. Their fearless style made the show a hit. People love the mix of pranks and friendship. The iconic characters in Jackass include leaders like Johnny Knoxville and wild ones like Steve-O. Each brought something special. The characters in Jackass showed that fun can come from crazy risks. This article looks at their stories, big moments, and why they matter.
The Start of Jackass and Its Main Characters
Jackass began in 2000 on MTV. It came from ideas by Johnny Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine, and Spike Jonze. They used footage from skate videos and early stunts. The show ran for three seasons until 2002. After that, it moved to movies. The core group stayed mostly the same.
The main characters in Jackass were a tight crew. They pranked each other and the public. Safety was low, but laughs were high. The show warned “Do not try this at home.” Many stunts were dangerous. Yet fans kept coming back.
Johnny Knoxville led the group. He tested self-defense tools on himself in early videos. That idea sparked the whole thing. Other iconic characters in Jackass joined through skate and stunt ties.
The franchise grew big. It had spin-offs like Viva La Bam and Wildboyz. Movies came next: Jackass: The Movie (2002), Jackass Number Two (2006), Jackass 3D (2010), Jackass Forever (2022), and more. A new movie was announced in 2026. These films earned millions at the box office. They proved the staying power of the characters in Jackass.
Johnny Knoxville: The Fearless Leader
Johnny Knoxville is the face of characters in Jackass. Born Philip John Clapp in 1971, he grew up in Tennessee. He wanted to write for magazines but ended up testing stunts. His first big idea was getting shot while wearing a bulletproof vest. That video helped start the show.
Knoxville hosted most segments. He said the famous line: “Hi, I’m Johnny Knoxville, and welcome to Jackass.” He did stunts like getting hit by cars or bulls. In one movie, he fought boxer Butterbean. He got knocked out many times but always got up.
His character Irving Zisman, the “Bad Grandpa,” got its own movie in 2013. It earned an Oscar nod for makeup. Knoxville acted in other films too, like Men in Black II and The Dukes of Hazzard. He stayed the steady leader. Even in later movies, he pushed limits. His toughness and humor made him a star.
Fans see Knoxville as the heart of the group. He planned many pranks. His calm way during chaos made everything funnier.
Steve-O: The Wild Card of Chaos
Steve-O (Stephen Glover) brought the most extreme energy to characters in Jackass. Born in 1974, he worked in circuses before joining. He sent stunt tapes to Big Brother magazine. That got him in.
Steve-O did gross and painful things. He snorted wasabi, swallowed fish hooks, and did fire stunts. In one bit, he put a leech on his eye. He often ended up in the hospital.
After Jackass, he fought addiction. He got sober and shared his story in a documentary. Now he does stand-up comedy, podcasts, and tours. His book and YouTube channel inspire many. Steve-O shows growth beyond stunts.
His wild style made iconic characters in Jackass memorable. He teamed with Chris Pontius in Wildboyz. They traveled and faced animals. Steve-O’s fearlessness pushed the limits.
Bam Margera: The Skateboard Rebel
Bam Margera added skate culture to characters in Jackass. Born in 1979 in Pennsylvania, he made CKY videos with friends. Those tapes helped start Jackass.
Bam pranked his family a lot. His mom April got scared by alligators and other tricks. He got his own show, Viva La Bam. It focused on his life and pranks.
Bam did big stunts like jumps and hits. He left some later projects due to issues. But his early work shaped the fun, family-prank side.
His skate skills brought cool tricks. Bam linked Jackass to the skate world. Many fans started with his videos.
Chris Pontius: The Party Boy
Chris Pontius is known for fun and silly bits in characters in Jackass. He wore little clothing often. His “Party Boy” dance in a thong became famous.
Pontius did animal stunts too. In Wildboyz with Steve-O, they swam with sharks and met wildlife. He kept things light.
Pontius acted in other shows and movies. His easy vibe balanced the pain. He added laughs without always getting hurt bad.
Ryan Dunn: The Tough and Loyal Friend
Ryan Dunn was a key part of characters in Jackass. He did many pranks. He passed away in 2011 in a car crash. Fans still remember him.
Dunn took big hits. He fought female kickboxers and did painful stunts. His friendship with Bam showed in Viva La Bam.
He added heart to the group. Tributes came after his death. He remains an iconic character in Jackass.
Other Key Characters in Jackass
Many more made the franchise great. Here are some:
- Jason “Wee Man” Acuña: Small but tough. He did flips and chased scenes with Preston Lacy. His size added funny contrasts.
- Preston Lacy: Big guy who teamed with Wee Man. His weight made stunts like chases hilarious.
- Ehren McGhehey (“Danger Ehren”): Often scared but did stunts anyway. His fear made bits funnier.
- Dave England: Known for gross stunts. He ate strange things and did toilet jokes.
These characters in Jackass worked as a team. Their mix created magic.
Famous Pranks and Stunts
Characters in Jackass did unforgettable bits. Here are some top ones:
- April’s Alligator — Bam put one in his mom’s kitchen.
- Golf Course Air Horn — They scared golfers with loud horns.
- High Five Prank — A giant hand slapped people.
- Bad Grandpa — Knoxville as old man caused trouble.
- Beehive Limo — Bees filled a car.
These pranks mixed surprise and pain. They showed creativity.
Statistics show the impact. Jackass movies grossed over $500 million worldwide. The TV show had high ratings on MTV. It influenced many comedy shows.
Challenges and Growth
The crew faced injuries and risks. Some got hurt bad. Steve-O and others battled addiction. They grew from it.
Later movies added safety. Jackass Forever had new faces but kept the spirit.
The bond stayed strong. Friendship made it last.
In Conclusion
Characters in Jackass turned crazy ideas into a lasting legacy. From Johnny Knoxville’s lead to Steve-O’s wild side, they created laughs through pain. The iconic characters in Jackass showed real friendship and fun. They took risks but stayed true.
The franchise keeps going with new projects. It reminds us that humor can come from anywhere—even the dumbest stunts.
What is your favorite character in Jackass and why? Share in the comments!
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References
- Wikipedia: Jackass (franchise) and cast pages (updated 2026 info on new movie).
- IMDb: Jackass TV series and movies cast lists.
- Official Paramount and MTV archives for viewership and box office stats.
- Steve-O’s podcast and book for personal stories.
- Fan sites and interviews for prank details.
