Johnny Knoxville (real name Philip John Clapp) is an American actor, comedian and daredevil with an estimated net worth of $75 million dollars. Knoxville is best known as the principal star and co-creator of the wildly popular MTV series Jackass and its subsequent films. Jackass showcased daredevil friends who did crazy stunts with minimal protection, geared towards a youthful crowd. The series spawned two Jackass movies and spinoff shows Viva La Bam, Homewrecker, Dr. Steve-O, Wildboyz, and Blastazoid.
Knoxville moved to California after graduating from high school in order to become an actor, appearing in commercials and as an extra in films. Knoxville had an idea to test self-defense equipment on himself, and the idea was picked up by the Jeff Tremaine-helmed skateboarding magazine Big Brother, with filmed stunts included in Big Brother's Number Two video. Knoxville, Tremaine, Sean Cliver and Dave Carnie produced a pilot using footage from Big Brother along with footage from Bam Margera's CKY videos. Tremaine's friend, film director Spike Jonze, helped them pitch the series to various networks. A deal was made with MTV liked the pilot and made a deal with the entrepreneur, and the show Jackass was born. Knoxeville has been featured in a number of films including The Dukes of Hazzard, The Ringer, Coyote Ugly, Men in Black II, Lords of Dogtown, A Dirty Shame and Daltry Calhoun.
