Tony Hawk Says A Lot of the Best ‘Jackass’ Stunts Started As Filler for Skater Videos

Tony Hawk recently talked to Jackass director Jeff Tremaine and discovered something kind of awesome: Many of the bits that became iconic moments on the hilariously dangerous stunt show were “just things that were filler for skate videos.” 

“There would be skate videos where you’d have weird segues in between the skating segments, which were just Jackass-type stunts,” Hawk told Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast. “And that’s how they started. It really is how they started.” 

Big Brother was a skater magazine that was “uncensored, it was just raw and funny,” Hawk said. In its pages, Johnny Knoxville revealed how he shot himself as part of a review of self-defense devices. “They made a video of it,” Hawk explained. “And this just was skating sensibilities turned into a whole show.”

Maher and Hawk discussed the Venn diagram overlap between the skater ethos and Jackass-style comedy. The main commonality? “You’re willing to risk yourself,” Hawk said.

Both guys are Jackass fans. “I love laughing, and that shit is just a laughathon,” Maher said — with a caveat. “Some of it, if it’s gross, I can also hate it. But look, they gave me laughs. I like anyone who gives me laughs.” 

It’s also a reminder, said Maher, that you don’t need a special talent to make it in entertainment. “If you really insist on being in show business, you can find a way,” he argued, citing the old joke about the guy who shovels shit behind the elephant at the circus. When someone asks the poop porter why he can’t find a better gig, the guy replies, “What — and leave show business?”

Not that Maher hasn’t done his share of dirty jobs. “You’re standing there opening for a rock band, which I’ve done, and they’re literally throwing shit at you to get off the stage and you’re dodging stuff while you’re telling jokes. You do not have a shred of dignity. I’ll admit that I’ve been there.” 

But Hawk believes the Jackass crew represents more than the comedy equivalent of shit shovelers. “They were creative in this Buster Keaton sort of way,” he offered in their defense. “They were willing to destroy themselves for the sake of comedy. It was so funny.”

Exhibit A: The bungee jump with Preston and Wee Man. “That in itself was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen,” said Hawk.

Maher agreed while noting, “It damn well better be when you give up your kidney.”

“True,” acknowledged Hawk. “Or your urethra, as Johnny Knoxville knows.”