Rich Dudes│How Being a Jackass Made Johnny Knoxville’s Net Worth $90M

How did Johnny Knoxville turn dangerous stunts into a $90 million net worth? Discover how this Jackass-of-all-trades went from fearless stunts to financial success.

Updated Jul 20, 2023

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Philip John Clapp, AKA Johnny Knoxville, is a provocateur of hilarity; an outlaw of entertainment; a living, breathing wildcard. His outrageous stunts, writing, and producing are legendary, and with Johnny Knoxville's estimated $90 million net worth, he has made his mark on the industry.

Since then, Johnny Knoxville has become a prominent American actor with his nine films and merchandise related to the Jackass franchise, DVD sales, advertisements, and music video appearances. He married Naomi Nelson in 2010 and has established a significant fan base. Knoxville co-owns Dickhouse Productions and has a knack for making money from risky stunts.

Johnny sold his Mediterranean-style villa in Los Angeles for $1.8 million in 2008 and put his 3,744-square-foot house in the Beachwood Canyon area of Los Angeles on the market for $2.2 million in 2009.

With the help of Jackass crew members like Steve-O, Preston Lacy, and Bam Margera, Johnny Knoxville’s career in show business has been remarkable. His fans enjoy his dramatic art, and his knack for creating compelling money-making productions throughout his career has enabled him to pull off unforgettable stunts. With no signs of stopping soon, fans can't wait to see what Knoxville has in store for them next.

Johnny Knoxville has been married twice. His first wife was Melanie Lynn Cates, and they tied the knot in 1995. During their marriage, they had a daughter named Madison Clapp. However, their relationship ended in 2009, and they got divorced. Knoxville married Naomi Nelson in 2010, and they had two children named Rocko Akira Clapp and Arlo Clapp. Johnny and Naomi ended their marriage in 2022.

Johnny Knoxville net worth at a glance

Net worth

$90 million

Born 

March 11, 1971

Nationality

American born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Became a millionaire at

33

Occupations

Actor, producer, screenwriter, comedian, stunt performer, and businessman

Sources of wealth

Acting and film production

Asset classes

Media, real estate, and luxury cars

How Johnny Knoxville made his money

Johnny Knoxville's first million dollars came from an unlikely source. Earlier in his career, Johnny Knoxville submitted an article to a skateboarding magazine about testing self-defense and then videotaped it for producer Jeff Tremaine. The resulting show, Jackass, became an international hit.


The Jackass franchise was successful, making nearly $500 million worldwide across three films and spin-off shows and huge DVD sales for Jackass 2.5 and Jackass 3.5. Knoxville was not only the star of the movie and series—he was also an executive producer, earning a slice of the box office grosses.

Knoxville's big break also came in 2004 when he made an estimated $5 million for his roles in the films Walking Tall and The Dukes of Hazzard. His most successful film to date is Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, which was produced with a budget of just $15 million and made close to $152 million

Thanks to his work on Jackass and its franchise, as well as other projects, Philip J Clapp has built a massive fortune estimated to be worth around $90 million. His adventures and willingness to do almost anything on camera, like on the MTV reality stunt show, have earned him a considerable fan base and wealth.

How Johnny Knoxville invests

As Johnny Knoxville earned approximately $90 million from his Jackass franchise success, he actively invested his net worth into real estate, vintage cars, entertainment, and philanthropic endeavors.

The South Doyle High School graduate owns homes in Brentwood and Hollywood, collects classic cars, and contributes to the American Red Cross and Shane McConkey Foundation. as an active philanthropist. He is an inspiration for any young go-getter.

Real estate

Johnny Knoxville is one of the most successful and wealthiest actors, film producers, voice actors, and professional wrestlers worldwide, thanks to his intelligent property investments.

The American actor ventured into real estate by buying a couple of homes, including a $6.5 million mansion in Brentwood, California, highlighting his investment skills. He also owns a home in the Hollywood Hills.

Cars 

Johnny Knoxville's impressive car collection, which includes a mix of vintage and modern luxury models, significantly contributes to his overall net worth.

Car Model

Estimated Value

Audi Q5

$41,500

1981 Lincoln Continental

$15,000

1965 Mustang

$45,000

1970 Eldorado

$30,000

Aston Martin

$143,000

Jaguar

$100,000

Mercedes

$150,000

Porsche 911 Turbo S

$210,000

1970 Cadillac

$7,000

Investing in classic cars can be a smart move for those who can do so. Unlike traditional stocks and bonds, cars are tangible assets with factors such as rarity, age, and condition determining their value.

As with any investment, it's essential to research and make wise choices if you're considering investing in luxury cars.

Johnny Knoxville's car collection includes a 1981 Lincoln Continental with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, power amenities, and a $15,000 price tag.
Source: 21motoring.com

Entertainment 

As seen in his acting roles, Philip John Clapp was always a natural in the entertainment world. In the early 1990s, the acting bug caught up with him. He began using his hometown as his surname and getting by doing TV commercials and writing for magazines such as Big Brother

Not long after, Knoxville appeared on a gig with MTV for Jackass, which ran for three seasons and gained popularity. Johnny then decided to pursue freelance writing, where he pitched ideas for magazines and videos.

Johnny Knoxville (left) as a guest on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’
Source: justjared.com

It was then that Johnny Knoxville's net worth swelled. Johnny became the owner of his own TV commercials and magazine writings. He made sure to keep the Jackass brand alive while pursuing an acting career at the same time. 

Johnny Knoxville is a successful investor in the entertainment industry. He co-founded Dickhouse Productions with his Jackass crew, producing the original TV show, three feature films, and spin-off shows.

Knoxville also invested in WCW and other Dickhouse productions like Ridiculousness, Fantasy Factory, Nitro Circus, and Loiter Squad and even hosted a WCW pay-per-view event.

Johnny Knoxville played Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014).
Source: hollywoodreporter.com

Johnny Knoxville's investments in the entertainment industry have yielded impressive financial gains. In 2014, he signed two-year first-look deals with Paramount Pictures and ABC for his production company, Hello Junior. The deal with Paramount Pictures resulted in over $336 million in global earnings from the Jackass franchise and their joint project, Bad Grandpa and Wildboyz

Also in 2014, ABC recognized Knoxville's potential as an investor and commissioned an untitled Southern family comedy series based on his life, produced by 3 Arts, with a script plus penalty commitment.

Knoxville's investments have been significant successful, with Dickhouse Productions getting recognized for its unique brand of slapstick prank comedy.

Johnny Knoxville investing quotes

In conclusion, Johnny Knoxville, born Philip Clapp, has managed to achieve remarkable success in his film acting gigs and business ventures. By making connections, putting in the work, growing his fanbase, and staying true to himself, Knoxville's net worth has reached an impressive $90 million. 

His journey in the entertainment industry, from the MTV reality stunt show Jackass to his diverse acting roles, demonstrates that it's possible to reach your goals and financial success with determination, persistence, and a bit of luck.

Knoxville's career has also been bolstered by strategic investments in real estate, vintage cars, and entertainment, contributing to his net worth. With his continuous dedication to his craft and fearless approach to new challenges, fans eagerly anticipate what Johnny Knoxville has in store for the future. 

His story serves as an inspiration to all aspiring artists and entrepreneurs, proving that success comes to those who stay true to themselves and are willing to take risks.

1. Be positive

2. Embrace the unknown

3. Anticipate the worst

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