Steve-O Says Goodbye to Jackass As He Reveals How Sobriety Completely Changed His Life
Steve-O is reflecting on the end of an era as he appears in a new Playboy feature ahead of Jackass: Best and Last, the upcoming film widely described as the franchise’s final installment set for release on June 26. The stunt performer and comedian revisits his decades-long journey through fame, chaos, and recovery.
In the candid interview, Steve-O looks back on his rise from clown school and homelessness to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment. He also discusses the evolution and apparent conclusion of the Jackass franchise, while sharing personal insights on stunts, addiction, and life after fame.
Jackass Legacy and Final Chapter
Steve-O makes clear in the interview that he believes the Jackass era has come to a definitive close. He points to Johnny Knoxville’s injuries and long-running wear and tear as a turning point that signaled the end of the franchise’s extreme physical run.
He also explains that Jackass: Best and Last was built around previously unreleased footage that had never been shown publicly. According to him, the project serves as a final collection of material that never found a place in earlier productions, forming what he describes as a last gathering of the original team.
The longtime performer reflects on how Jackass began with minimal pay and uncertain futures, recalling that early seasons offered little financial stability despite the show’s growing cultural impact. He describes a time when fame arrived before fortune, shaping his early experience in the industry.
Life, Addiction and Sobriety
Beyond stunts and chaos, Steve-O opens up about the deeper struggles that shaped his personal life, including addiction recovery and long-term sobriety. He explains that getting clean in 2008 forced him to confront the reality of a longer life and a future beyond self-destructive behavior.
He also reflects on the emotional toll of fame, describing the challenge of balancing a career built on attention with the discipline required to maintain recovery. At one point, he even questioned whether continuing in entertainment was possible without relapsing into old patterns.
Steve-O discusses his struggles with sex addiction and unhealthy relationship patterns, describing them as cycles that left him feeling remorseful and trapped. Over time, he says, he began recognizing that real fulfillment could not come from repeating destructive habits.
Despite these challenges, he highlights a shift in perspective as he grows older. Steve-O shares that he is increasingly comfortable stepping away from constant attention, instead focusing on personal stability, animal rescue work, and life on his Tennessee ranch.
He adds that documenting his stunts once felt like a “ticket to immortality,” driven by the belief that his work needed to survive him. Today, however, he describes a more grounded outlook centered on purpose, responsibility, and long-term peace.
