Johnny Knoxville Formally Embraces "Really Gay" Legacy of Jackass During Final Franchise Press Tour
Photo Credit: Paramount
by Chris Tremblay Jul 2
4 MIN READ
In a landmark interview released late in June 2026, Johnny Knoxville, the face and co-creator of the Jackass franchise, explicitly addressed the long-standing relationship between his work and the LGBTQ+ community. . Speaking with Michael Sebastian for the magazine’s "What I’ve Learned" series, Knoxville was asked about the overwhelming embrace the stunt-comedy franchise has received from queer audiences over the last quarter-century. . Knoxville did not hesitate in his response, stating, "Well, Jackass is really gay, you know? So, we’re thrilled by it." .
The comment, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, serves as a formal confirmation of a subtext that fans and critics have analyzed since the show first debuted on MTV in 2000. . Knoxville elaborated on the aesthetic choices of the crew, noting that "it’s just kind of funnier if you’re naked," and suggesting that the inherent homoeroticism of the group’s stunts—often involving physical intimacy, costumes, and vulnerability—was a natural byproduct of their creative process. .
This rhetorical embrace was matched by a physical presence during the 2026 Pride season. Knoxville and several members of the Jackass cast, including Steve-O, participated in the West Hollywood Pride Parade earlier this month. . The appearance featured a Jackass-themed float, which Knoxville described as a career milestone. "I feel like we’ve arrived, and we’re all thrilled about it," Knoxville said, mentioning that he had personally helped select "nautical" outfits for the occasion with the help of a costume designer.The emotional weight of the event was not lost on the 55-year-old performer. Knoxville admitted to being overcome with emotion during the parade route, stating that he "wept twice" while witnessing the support from the LGBTQ+ community. He later took to social media to describe the experience as a "dream come true," thanking the community for supporting the crew for over two decades. Steve-O joined the festivities atop a motorized Porta-Potty float decorated with rainbow flags, a nod to one of the franchise's most iconic gross-out sequences.
The transition from "accidental icon" to "vocal ally" has been a long time coming for the Jackass crew. In an interview with Little White Lies, Knoxville reflected on how the franchise has always featured rainbow-colored flags and an inclusive spirit. . When asked by a queer trans woman journalist about the community's attachment to the series, Knoxville replied, "It just makes me happy that we’re accepted... the community means a lot to us, and that we mean something to them is just wonderful." .
Historically, Jackass has frequently intersected with queer culture. Legendary queer filmmaker John Waters previously dubbed the team the "gayest straight guys of all time," a title Knoxville has often cited with pride. . Knoxville has also graced the covers of LGBTQ+ publications like The Advocate and Out magazine in the past, signaling an early awareness of his queer fan base. .
Cultural critics have noted that Jackass provides a rare example of "positive masculinity" that eschews traditional, rigid patriarchal norms. . By centering male friendship, physical vulnerability, and the abandonment of "macho" posturing, the crew created a space that resonated with queer audiences. . Knoxville himself echoed this sentiment in his discussion with Michael Sebastian, suggesting that the crew often brings "more femininity than masculinity" to their performances. .
The timing of these statements is significant as the franchise reaches its conclusion. The crew is currently promoting what has been billed as the fifth and final film, titled Jackass: Best and Last. . This farewell tour has allowed the original cast members to reflect on their legacy and the diverse audience they have cultivated. .
Rachel Wolfson, a recent addition to the cast who joined during Jackass Forever, reinforced Knoxville's sentiments on social media this month, stating that "Jackass has and will always be gay." . This unified front from both legacy members and new cast additions highlights a deliberate effort to ensure the franchise's final bow is one of radical inclusion. .
As Knoxville prepares for retirement following the release of Best and Last, his participation in the West Hollywood Pride Parade appears to be a crowning achievement. . For many LGBTQ+ fans, Knoxville's explicit affirmation—"Jackass is really gay"—is more than a joke; it is a validation of the subversive, camp, and deeply human connection they have felt with the "gang of idiots" for twenty-six years. .
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media users and fans attending the parade expressed gratitude for the crew’s public stance. . Many pointed out that while other franchises often engage in "rainbow washing" or performative allyship, the *Jackass* crew's relationship with the community has always been grounded in a genuine, lived-in comfort with the fluid boundaries of gender and sexuality. .
By leaning into the "homoerotic humor" that Steve-O once called a "humanitarian attack against homophobia," the group has successfully transitioned from MTV pranksters to allies who prioritize the comfort and joy of their queer fans. . Knoxville's recent interviews serve as the final punctuation mark on a career built on breaking bones and breaking down barriers. .
Celebrating at WeHo Pride
This rhetorical embrace was matched by a physical presence during the 2026 Pride season. Knoxville and several members of the Jackass cast, including Steve-O, participated in the West Hollywood Pride Parade earlier this month. . The appearance featured a Jackass-themed float, which Knoxville described as a career milestone. "I feel like we’ve arrived, and we’re all thrilled about it," Knoxville said, mentioning that he had personally helped select "nautical" outfits for the occasion with the help of a costume designer.The emotional weight of the event was not lost on the 55-year-old performer. Knoxville admitted to being overcome with emotion during the parade route, stating that he "wept twice" while witnessing the support from the LGBTQ+ community. He later took to social media to describe the experience as a "dream come true," thanking the community for supporting the crew for over two decades. Steve-O joined the festivities atop a motorized Porta-Potty float decorated with rainbow flags, a nod to one of the franchise's most iconic gross-out sequences.
A History of Queer Subtext and "Positive Masculinity"
The transition from "accidental icon" to "vocal ally" has been a long time coming for the Jackass crew. In an interview with Little White Lies, Knoxville reflected on how the franchise has always featured rainbow-colored flags and an inclusive spirit. . When asked by a queer trans woman journalist about the community's attachment to the series, Knoxville replied, "It just makes me happy that we’re accepted... the community means a lot to us, and that we mean something to them is just wonderful." .
Historically, Jackass has frequently intersected with queer culture. Legendary queer filmmaker John Waters previously dubbed the team the "gayest straight guys of all time," a title Knoxville has often cited with pride. . Knoxville has also graced the covers of LGBTQ+ publications like The Advocate and Out magazine in the past, signaling an early awareness of his queer fan base. .
Cultural critics have noted that Jackass provides a rare example of "positive masculinity" that eschews traditional, rigid patriarchal norms. . By centering male friendship, physical vulnerability, and the abandonment of "macho" posturing, the crew created a space that resonated with queer audiences. . Knoxville himself echoed this sentiment in his discussion with Michael Sebastian, suggesting that the crew often brings "more femininity than masculinity" to their performances. .
The Final Chapter: Jackass: Best and Last
The timing of these statements is significant as the franchise reaches its conclusion. The crew is currently promoting what has been billed as the fifth and final film, titled Jackass: Best and Last. . This farewell tour has allowed the original cast members to reflect on their legacy and the diverse audience they have cultivated. .
Rachel Wolfson, a recent addition to the cast who joined during Jackass Forever, reinforced Knoxville's sentiments on social media this month, stating that "Jackass has and will always be gay." . This unified front from both legacy members and new cast additions highlights a deliberate effort to ensure the franchise's final bow is one of radical inclusion. .
As Knoxville prepares for retirement following the release of Best and Last, his participation in the West Hollywood Pride Parade appears to be a crowning achievement. . For many LGBTQ+ fans, Knoxville's explicit affirmation—"Jackass is really gay"—is more than a joke; it is a validation of the subversive, camp, and deeply human connection they have felt with the "gang of idiots" for twenty-six years. .
Impact on the LGBTQ+ Community
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media users and fans attending the parade expressed gratitude for the crew’s public stance. . Many pointed out that while other franchises often engage in "rainbow washing" or performative allyship, the *Jackass* crew's relationship with the community has always been grounded in a genuine, lived-in comfort with the fluid boundaries of gender and sexuality. .
By leaning into the "homoerotic humor" that Steve-O once called a "humanitarian attack against homophobia," the group has successfully transitioned from MTV pranksters to allies who prioritize the comfort and joy of their queer fans. . Knoxville's recent interviews serve as the final punctuation mark on a career built on breaking bones and breaking down barriers. .
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