Jackass was the MTV series that followed stunt performers Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and their friends.
The television series premiered on MTV in 2000 after growing out of a magazine and video project associated with skateboard culture. Its cast performed dangerous, absurd, and frequently painful stunts, practical jokes, and physical comedy for the camera.
Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius, Ryan Dunn, and several other performers became closely associated with the franchise. The show’s deliberately chaotic style helped influence later prank, stunt, and reality-comedy programming.
Jackass is sometimes confused with its spin-offs. Viva La Bam centered on Bam Margera and his family and friends, while Wildboyz followed Steve-O and Chris Pontius as they encountered wildlife and unusual environments. The original Jackass series itself ran for three seasons and later expanded into a successful film series.