Johnny Knoxville (born Philip John Clap) didn't make it into movies the traditional way. He moved to California from Knoxville, Tennessee, and he acted in a few bit parts in the the likes of The Ben Stiller Show and Desert Blues, and starred in a few commercials, but when his career didn't take off as planned, he took work on skateboard magazine Big Brother.

After pitching a feature in which he tested self defence equipment on himself, Jackass was tentatively born, and gradually Knoxville recruited the various members of the team.

Spike Jonze helped launch the show, which was grabbed by MTV, and Knoxville suddenly became one of the best known faces on TV.

Pain Rating? Ludicrously high, with Knoxville committing various heinous acts of disrespect upon his own person. Though it was ultimately the breakdown of the relationship with MTV, as opposed to any physical injuries, that brought the show to an end.