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Jackass Origin: Knoxville Shot Himself!
26 Jun
Summary
- Johnny Knoxville tested self-defense equipment on himself.
- He famously shot himself in the chest with a bulletproof vest.
- This dangerous stunt birthed the 'Jackass' franchise.
The genesis of the "Jackass" franchise dates back to 1997 when Johnny Knoxville proposed a daring idea to "Big Brother" magazine editor Jeff Tremaine: testing self-defense gear, including shooting himself in the chest with a gun.
While initially intended for "Big Brother," the footage of Knoxville testing pepper spray, stun guns, and the ultimately terrifying bulletproof vest stunt became the foundation for what would become "Jackass." Larry Flynt, owner of "Big Brother," even provided pornographic magazines as padding for the vest, adding a bizarre and dangerous element when they fell out during the shooting sequence.
Director Jeff Tremaine recognized the raw, compelling nature of the footage, particularly the gunshot scene, and consulted his friend Spike Jonze. This collaboration led to the pitch of "Jackass" to MTV, launching the careers of Knoxville and his fellow cast members.
The new film, "Jackass: Best and Last," includes this raw origin footage, offering a chilling look at the franchise's perilous beginnings and emphasizing the extreme danger involved.
