Famous Tennesseans
Johnny Knoxville
Born Philip John Clapp in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnny Knoxville became a comedian, actor, producer, writer, stunt performer, and one of the best-known figures in MTV history.
The Knoxville-Born King of Stunt Comedy
Johnny Knoxville was born March 11, 1971, in Knoxville, Tennessee. His birth name is Philip John Clapp, and his stage name keeps his hometown right in front of audiences around the world.
He became famous as a co-creator and star of Jackass, the MTV stunt-comedy series that turned wild physical comedy, pranks, friendship, and painful bad ideas into a major pop-culture franchise.
Knoxville Roots
Johnny Knoxville grew up in Knoxville, where his father worked in the car and tire business and his mother was a Sunday school teacher. His childhood stories often include pranks, humor, injuries, and an early interest in performance.
He attended South-Young High School in Knoxville. After South-Young and Doyle High School merged, the school became part of what is now South-Doyle High School.
From Knoxville to California
After graduating from high school, Knoxville moved to California with hopes of becoming an actor. Like many performers, his early years included auditions, small parts, and a lot of uncertainty.
His unusual path began to take shape when he started writing and testing stunt ideas. Those ideas eventually connected him with the skateboarding magazine Big Brother and helped lead to the creation of Jackass.
Jackass and Pop Culture
Jackass premiered on MTV in 2000 and quickly became one of the network's most talked-about shows. Knoxville starred alongside a group of performers who filmed stunts, pranks, challenges, and physical comedy that often looked ridiculous, painful, and dangerous.
The show grew into a film franchise that included Jackass: The Movie, Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, and Jackass Forever. Knoxville also worked as a producer and writer on multiple projects connected to the franchise.
Acting Career
Outside of Jackass, Knoxville has appeared in films and television projects including Men in Black II, Walking Tall, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Ringer, Lords of Dogtown, Elvis & Nixon, The Last Stand, and Reboot.
His screen persona often mixes charm, absurdity, physical comedy, and a willingness to be the person who takes the hit, literally and figuratively.
Johnny Knoxville Timeline
Tennessee Trivia
Why Johnny Knoxville Matters to Tennessee
Johnny Knoxville represents one of Tennessee's stranger, funnier paths to fame. He did not become famous through the state's usual entertainment routes of country music, gospel, blues, or traditional acting. Instead, he helped invent a chaotic new kind of television comedy.
By carrying Knoxville in his stage name, he also made his hometown part of his identity every time his name appeared on a screen, poster, interview, or movie credit.
Learn More
These sources are useful starting points for learning more about Johnny Knoxville's life, Tennessee roots, film career, and Jackass legacy.
Article by Byron Chesney
Publisher, Tennessee Trivia