Johnny Knoxville reveals why he’s ending the ‘Jackass’ era after 25 years

After nearly 25 years of pranks, stunts and injuries, Johnny Knoxville says it’s time Jackass to take his final bow. The longtime face of the franchise recently reflected on the decision to step away as Jackass: Best and Last preparing for release.

Knoxville spoke up Little white lies about the future of the franchise and why he believes now is the right time to move on. He said the goal was to end the series on its own terms rather than continuing indefinitely.

Asked what led him to the decision, Knoxville pointed to the injuries he sustained during filming Jackass forever.

“The short, simple answer is I feel like it’s time. After the last injury in Jackass forever with the bull—Mr. Pecker Wrecker—and the resulting concussions and brain hemorrhages and all that good stuff, I can no longer ride rockets or get smoked by bulls. Still, we wanted to play on our own merits and do one last for the fans and for us. Jackass was born among friends and that’s how it will end,” he said.

Knoxville previously discussed the extent of those injuries during an interview with Weekly entertainment in 2024. “It was a traumatic brain injury with concussion, brain hemorrhage, and I broke my wrist and ribs. Then the neurologist said, ‘You can’t have another concussion,'” he said.

The injury marked a turning point for Knoxville, who has spent decades performing increasingly dangerous stunts for the franchise.

Knoxville told Little white lies that becoming more selective about stunt work was not a particularly difficult adjustment.

In addition to performing the stunts, he has spent years helping to write, develop and direct them. He credited the broader creative commitment with easing the transition as he moved away from the physical demands that defined much of his career.

Knoxville, now 55, began working on Jackass late 20s. Over the years, he has sustained numerous injuries that required lengthy recoveries.

The damage from Jackass forever ultimately reinforced the need to be more cautious going forward. While Knoxville indicated he still has other projects he hopes to pursue, he said the physical stunt work played a big role in his decision to end this chapter of his career.