Broken bones, exploding props and dares that seemed designed to end in disaster became the unlikely formula that turned Jackass into a pop-culture landmark in the early 2000s.
At the center of that chaos was Johnny Knoxville, whose fearless on-screen persona helped transform a scrappy MTV stunt show into a global comedy franchise that later expanded into hit films and unforgettable sketches.
As he turns 55, the legacy of Jackass remains tied to the outrageous moments that defined the series—wild experiments, painful pranks and the kind of reckless humor that pushed stunt entertainment into mainstream fame.
Poo Cocktail Supreme (Jackass 3D, 2010)
(Source: IMDb)
Arguably the most infamous stunt in the entire Jackass franchise, “Poo Cocktail Supreme” pushed shock comedy to its absolute limit. The setup was deceptively simple: Steve-O was strapped inside a portable toilet that was attached to two massive bungee cords.
Once launched into the air, the structure bounced violently like a slingshot, sending the contents of the porta-potty flying everywhere while Steve-O screamed and tried to hold on.
The stunt quickly became one of the most talked-about scenes in Jackass 3D, not only for its sheer gross-out factor but also for the visual spectacle created by the film’s 3D technology.
Johnny Knoxville and the rest of the crew watched from a distance as the portable toilet spun and ricocheted through the air, turning the already outrageous idea into a chaotic finale that perfectly captured the franchise’s willingness to go further than anyone expected.
Butt X-Ray (Jackass: The Movie, 2002)
Few Jackass stunts became as instantly legendary as the “Butt X-Ray,” which combined medical curiosity with pure absurdity. In the segment, Ryan Dunn inserted a toy car into his body and went to a real hospital to have an X-ray taken, pretending he had no idea what the object was. The stunned reaction of the medical staff became part of the joke.
Johnny Knoxville and the crew filmed the entire process as doctors attempted to determine what the mysterious object might be. When the X-ray image revealed the unmistakable shape of a toy car, the moment instantly entered Jackass history. Equal parts shocking and ridiculous, it became one of the franchise’s most widely discussed and replayed sketches.
Terror Taxi (Jackass Number Two, 2006)
“Terror Taxi” stands out as one of the most elaborate and psychologically brutal pranks the Jackass team ever created. The bit revolved around convincing Ehren McGhehey—nicknamed “Danger Ehren”—that he was taking part in a stunt involving a dangerous terrorist character in a taxi.
Throughout the sketch, the tension builds as Ehren sits in the back seat wearing a fake beard as part of his disguise. The prank reaches its horrifying punchline when Knoxville and the crew reveal that the beard was actually made from shaved body hair collected from the entire cast. Ehren’s horrified reaction turned the moment into a classic example of Jackass humor: less about physical pain and more about humiliating surprise.
Toro Totter (Jackass Number Two, 2006)
(Source: IMDb)
Few stunts demonstrate Johnny Knoxville’s reckless commitment quite like “Toro Totter.” The idea was as ridiculous as it was dangerous: Knoxville and several cast members sat on a massive seesaw placed inside a bullfighting arena while a charging bull ran directly toward them.
As the animal slammed into the structure, the giant seesaw flipped violently, launching the riders into the air. Knoxville was thrown hard to the ground while the bull continued to circle the arena, creating a chaotic scene that felt equal parts slapstick and survival challenge. The stunt became one of the film’s most memorable sequences and reinforced Knoxville’s reputation for willingly putting himself in harm’s way.
Jet Engine Experiment (Jackass 3D, 2010)
(Source: IMDb)
In one of the franchise’s most visually spectacular stunts, Johnny Knoxville and the crew decided to test the sheer force of a jet engine. Standing directly behind the aircraft on a runway, they placed various objects—and eventually themselves—in the path of the powerful exhaust blast.
When the engine fired up, the results were immediate. The blast sent trash cans, inflatable objects, and even the cast members themselves flying across the runway. Knoxville and his teammates struggled to remain standing as the powerful wind knocked them down repeatedly. The stunt became a standout moment in Jackass 3D, combining physical comedy with the kind of explosive visuals that defined the series.
The Invisible Man vs. Bull (Jackass Number Two, 2006)
Johnny Knoxville’s long-running rivalry with bulls produced some of the most dangerous moments in Jackass, and “The Invisible Man” stunt was among the wildest. Dressed in a padded suit designed to make it appear as though only his head and hands were visible, Knoxville entered a bullring to face the charging animal.
The illusion quickly became secondary to survival. The bull charged repeatedly, sending Knoxville flying through the air after brutal collisions. Though the padding softened the impact slightly, the stunt still left him battered and shaken. It became one of several bull-related segments that demonstrated just how far Knoxville was willing to push the limits for the show.
Golf Cart Crashes (Jackass: The Movie, 2002)
(Source: IMDb)
The Jackass crew managed to turn an ordinary golf cart into a vehicle of total destruction. In one segment from Jackass: The Movie, Johnny Knoxville and Ryan Dunn raced golf carts at high speed through obstacles, ramps, and open spaces with little regard for safety.
The chaos escalated when the carts collided violently, flipping one of them and sending Knoxville crashing onto the pavement. The crash looked genuinely painful and quickly became one of the film’s most replayed scenes. What made the stunt memorable wasn’t just the impact, but the way Knoxville and Dunn laughed through the wreckage moments later.
Anaconda Ball Pit (Jackass Number Two, 2006)
(Source: IMDb)
A children’s playground staple became a nightmare scenario in the “Anaconda Ball Pit.” The crew filled a colorful ball pit with large snakes, including anacondas, before challenging Johnny Knoxville to climb inside and retrieve them.
What followed was pure panic. As Knoxville attempted to grab the snakes, the reptiles slithered through the plastic balls while the cast screamed and scrambled away from the pit. The combination of genuine fear and absurd setup turned the stunt into one of the film’s most chaotic and memorable animal encounters.
Riot Control Test (Jackass Number Two, 2006)
(Source: IMDb)
When the Jackass crew decided to test riot-control weapons, the results were predictably brutal. Johnny Knoxville and the others volunteered to stand in front of police-grade crowd-control devices, including rubber bullets and other non-lethal ammunition.
Despite the protective gear, the impact of the projectiles left the cast doubled over in pain. Knoxville attempted to maintain his composure while the crew fired round after round, but the stunt quickly turned into a painful endurance test. The segment highlighted the group’s willingness to subject themselves to real physical punishment for the sake of comedy.
Golf Course Airhorn (Jackass, MTV)
One of the earliest Jackass pranks helped establish the show’s chaotic spirit. In the sketch, Johnny Knoxville and the crew hid near a quiet golf course and waited for unsuspecting players to begin their swings.
Just as the golfers prepared to hit the ball, the team blasted an airhorn, ruining the shot and sending players into confusion and frustration. The prank quickly escalated as angry golfers chased the crew across the course. Simple but wildly effective, the bit became one of the show’s first viral moments and set the tone for the unpredictable humor that would define Jackass.
