Nearly 30 years ago, the groundbreaking show Jackass burst onto the scene on MTV with a simple yet impactful introduction by Johnny Knoxville. Alongside his 11 castmates, including the daring Steve-O, the group quickly rose to stardom with their outrageous stunts and pranks. In a recent interview with Playboy, Steve-O shared insights into the early days of Jackass, revealing the meager pay they received for their risky performances.
Despite being broke and homeless at the time, Steve-O reflected on the minimal compensation he and his fellow cast members received for their work on the show. Recalling how he brainstormed one of his most iconic stunts, “The Goldfish,” Steve-O disclosed that he only requested $200 for the act, which involved swallowing and regurgitating a live goldfish. This stunt marked his debut in the Jackass series, setting the tone for the wild and daring content the show became known for.
Steve-O further disclosed that he charged a mere $500 for another infamous stunt involving a shark bite. In total, after all the daring feats of the first season, Steve-O walked away with less than $1,500, a modest sum considering the risks taken and the fame that followed. The revelations continued as Steve-O shared his unconventional path to stardom, including attending Clown College in a bid to establish himself as a serious stuntman.
Jackass enjoyed a brief but impactful run on MTV, with Knoxville eventually deciding to end the show after three seasons. However, the franchise continued to thrive through movies and spin-off shows. Now, the final installment, Jackass: Best and Last, is set to hit theaters on July 2, marking the definitive conclusion of the beloved series. Steve-O confirmed that this film will serve as a final tribute to the Jackass legacy, bringing together the original cast for one last hurrah.
