The Jackass star has recalled how Brad Pitt agreed without hesitation to film one of the MTV show’s most memorable celebrity appearances, with the actor making the decision on the spot.
Johnny Knoxville has recalled how he helped “kidnap” Brad Pitt.
The 55-year-old daredevil said the incident happened after actor Brad, 62, agreed without hesitation to one of his stunt show Jackass’ most memorable stunts. revealing the Oscar-winning actor was seized outside a famous Los Angeles hot dog stand after saying yes to the skit on the spot.
Johnny shared the behind-the-scenes story in a new interview as the Jackass franchise prepares to release its final instalment, Jackass: Best and Last.
Johnny reflected about filming with Brad Pitt during the MTV series in 2011, when the Fight Club and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood actor made a surprise appearance in an episode that also featured a separate gorilla sketch.
He said: “The plan was to shoot a bit with (Brad) called Night Monkeys, where everyone dresses up as a gorilla, does silly stuff around town, and we just have him lift his head at the end.”
He added: “But while they were waiting for me to get done with another bit, (series co-creator) Jeff goes, ‘Hey, can we kidnap you in front of Pink’s Hot Dogs?’
“He said, ‘Yeah.’”
Johnny explained the impromptu sequence ultimately became one of Brad’s most memorable appearances on the programme.
The stunt aired during Season Three, Episode Eight of Jackass, showing Brad apparently being abducted outside the landmark Pink’s Hot Dogs restaurant in Los Angeles.
Jackass co-creator and director Jeff Tremaine added said the actor required almost no persuasion.
Jeff said: “He said, ‘Sure’.
“And we just didn’t wait. He didn’t make one phone call. He just said yes. And we got in the van and did it. It was the good old days where we fit it all in one day.”
Fellow Jackass performer Chris Pontius added: “And he loved it.”
Although the gorilla sketch was also completed, Johnny admitted it became overshadowed by the kidnapping stunt.
He said: “It aired on TV. It just kind of got overshadowed. Kind of dumb to have Brad Pitt with a mask on the whole time. Like what’s the point? But we’re kind of dumb.”
The recollection comes as Brad remains in the headlines following the release of his Formula One drama F1 and recent publicity surrounding his relationship with Ines de Ramon following the conclusion of his divorce from Angelina Jolie.
The original Jackass series ran on MTV between 2000 and 2002 before expanding into a successful film franchise beginning with Jackass: The Movie in 2002.
The series became known for its elaborate stunts, practical jokes and physical comedy, helping establish Johnny as one of the defining figures of early 2000s television.
The latest release, Jackass: Best and Last, is billed as the franchise’s final chapter.
Earlier this year, Johnny confirmed the film would mark the end of the long-running series.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in February, he said: “This is the natural place to end. So it’s going to be absolutely awful.”
Brad’s appearance on Jackass remains one of the most unexpected celebrity cameos in the franchise’s history.
Johnny Knoxville recalls helping ‘kidnap’ Brad Pitt
