The Jackass Forever Stunt That Made Johnny Knoxville Call It Quits

Being able to boast that a franchise has lasted over two decades is impressive, but considering the world of "Jackass" requires putting the body, mind, arrest record, and stomach on the line at every turn, it's a damn miracle that everyone's favorite comedy stuntmen are still up to their usual shenanigans after all these years. The MTV series debuted in 2000 for three seasons but turned into an entertainment franchise including spin-offs "Wildboyz," "Viva La Bam," "Homewrecker," "Bam's Unholy Union," "Dr. Steve-O," "Bam's World Domination," "Bam's Bad Ass Game Show," a video game, TV specials (including Shark Week) five feature films, and the "Bad Grandpa" spin-off films.

The "Jackass" crew have sustained countless injuries over the years due to their love of extreme stunts and ridiculous decision making, but even someone like show host Johnny Knoxville has a limit, and during the production of "Jackass Forever," he found it. The idea for the stunt was to pull a prank on an animal, by showing them a magic trick. Rather than choose an animal like a cute little monkey (look up videos on YouTube of monkeys reacting to magic and thank me later), Knoxville went full "Jackass" and decided the magic trick was going to be performed in a bull ring. Needless to say, the bull didn't think the magic trick was very entertaining, and Knoxville got a first-hand feel of just how irritated the bull was after getting bamboozled.

After Knoxville pulled the prank on the bull, the animal charged after him, flipping him over, and knocking him unconscious. According to "Jackass Forever" director and franchise co-creator Jeff Tremaine, Knoxville was passed out to the point of snoring for three or for minutes, calling the scene "gnarly." After Knoxville was loaded up in the ambulance, the EMTs started asking questions to test his cognition. He incorrectly named Barack Obama as the president in December of 2020, unable to remember the correct answer. Ultimately, Knoxville walked away with a concussion, a broken rib, a broken wrist, and a brain hemorrhage. This wasn't the first time the "Jackass" guys tempted fate with a bull, but it's definitely the last for Knoxville.

Now a father of three, Knoxville is aware he doesn't have to prove anything anymore and agreed with the producers when they suggested he step away from other massively dangerous stunts and save himself for the final hurrah at end of the movie. He assessed the risk and chose to play it safe, not willing to risk being around for his family if something had gone wrong. He's been terrorizing his body for over 20 years, I think he's more than earned a retirement.

"Jackass Forever" hits theaters on February 4, 2022.