Johnny Knoxville Opens Up on ‘Fear Factor’ Return and the One Thing That Still Terrifies Him

Johnny Knoxville has spent decades doing dangerous stunts on screen, but he says the thing that actually scares him most has nothing to do with pain or injuries. In an interview at the 2026 Fox Upfront event in New York City, the Jackass star opened up about fear, family, and why his priorities have changed.

Knoxville, who is now 55, is best known for pushing his body to the limit in the Jackass franchise, where he has been hit, thrown, and injured in countless extreme stunts. He also recently returned to television as the host of Fear Factor: House of Fear. Despite all of that, he says real fear shows up in a much more personal way.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the event, Knoxville said his biggest fear is tied to his family. “Probably something happening with my kid or something my wife, but for me, not much,” he said. The comment showed a clear shift from the reckless image he built over the years to a more grounded focus on his home life.

Knoxville is a father of three. His oldest daughter, Madison, was born in 1996, followed by son Rocko in 2009 and daughter Arlo in 2011. He has often spoken about how becoming a father changed him. In earlier interviews, he said holding his first child made him feel calmer and more focused, even during a time when his life was chaotic.

His relationship with his children has also shaped how he views his career. He has said in past interviews that he did not let them watch Jackass when they were younger because of how extreme the stunts were. He also worried that his sons might want to copy what they saw.

Knoxville’s personal life has also gone through major changes in recent years. He was previously married twice before marrying costume designer Emily Ting in November 2025. The couple held a small ceremony that was officiated by filmmaker John Waters, and their dog was present at the wedding.

Even with a new marriage and a more settled life, Knoxville is still active in entertainment. He is currently returning for Jackass 5, which he has said will be his final film in the franchise. Doctors reportedly advised him to stop taking part in dangerous stunts after he suffered a brain hemorrhage from being hit by a bull during filming for Jackass Forever.

Knoxville has said that experience made him rethink everything. He explained in past interviews that his mental health and physical condition were affected, and he was later put on medication that helped him recover. Since then, he has stepped back from the most extreme parts of stunt work.

Despite that, he still appears in new projects and continues to work in film and television. He is also set to appear in upcoming films including Tiny Fugitives and I Want Your Sex, directed by Gregg Araki.

Knoxville says his life now is less about proving anything through stunts and more about balance. After years of pushing limits on screen, his focus has clearly shifted to something much more personal: keeping his family safe and close.

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