Johnny Knoxville Biography

Philip John Clapp (born March 11, 1971) known by his stage name Johnny Knoxville, is an American actor comedian and daredevil. He has been featured in a number of films, but is best kniwn as the co-creator and principal star of the MTV series Jackass and its subsequent films.

Career

Knoxville credits a copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road given to him by his cousin, country singer/songwriter Roger Alan Wade, with giving him the acting bug. After graduating from South Yoyng School in 1989 in Knoxville, he moved to California to become an actor , and at fires appeared in commercials and as an extra. Not getting the big break he had hoped for, he began writing and pitching article ideas to various magazines. He also attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts on a scholarship, but dropped out within two weeks. An idea to test self defense equipment on himself was picked up by the Jeff Tremaine helmed skateboarding magazine Big Brother and the stunts were filmed and included in Big Brother's Number Two Video