Johnny Knoxville once had the offer of a lifetime for any budding comedian.
The actor was once offered a recurring spot on “Saturday Night Live” by Lorne Michaels himself.
Now, if you don’t know much about ‘SNL’ or the struggle it is to get on the show, just read the list of A-List talent that was turned down from the show.
Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Kevin Hart, Zach Galifianakis, Aubrey Plaza, Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Griffin and more.
Famous Actors & Comedians Rejected From ‘SNL’
These are all actors, comedians and performers who have gone on to make MAJOR films, comedy specials, TV shows, and long-lasting careers.
During an appearance on the “Drew Barrymore Show” earlier this month, the “Jackass” star opened up about his humble beginnings and his jackass ways.
Barrymore asked Knoxville, “You at a point were asked to be on Saturday Night Live as a cast member, and it was the same time you were making the pilot for ‘Jackass.’”
“Well, I was really honored Lorne Michaels offered me five minutes on the show each week to do what I do, like videos and whatnot,” Knoxville said.
Johnny Knoxville Turned Down ‘SNL’ Offer To Create “Jackass”
However, he was faced with two choices… go with ‘SNL’ and be comfy or choose himself and his friends.
“And, I had to choose, because one thing, I was going onto an established show where I would have little control. At the end of the day it’s like, ‘Am I going to go into situation where I have no control, or am I going to bet on myself, bet on my friends and go that direction,’” he explained. “Ultimately, I bet on myself and bet on my friends which could’ve been a disaster, right? It could’ve been a disaster, but it luckily worked out.”
He added with a laugh, “and some would argue it was still a disaster.”
I mean multiple broken bones, self-mutilation and blood aren’t really disasters if it’s bringing joy to people’s homes, right?
Prior to betting on himself and his friends, Knoxville did what any budding actor does… commercials.
The “Jackass” creator first got his footing in Hollywood by doing commercials.
He told Barrymore, “That’s probably what I’d be doing if there wasn’t ‘Jackass.’”
“Jackass Forever” was released in theaters on Friday, February 4.
The “Jackass” Gang’s All Here + Newbies
It saw the original cast of asses reunite in addition to some new faces and genders.
This movie marked the first time the “Jackass” family had a female co-star.
Knoxville noted, “I mean it’s no secret women are tougher than guys, but she proves it over and over in the film.”
Barrymore added, “It’s why we birth the kids.”
On reuniting with most of the original cast and crew, Knoxville said, “It was great to have the family back together again. It is a family and one I have missed. We’re all friends outside of this. We see each other outside of this but nothing is more nerve wrecking for the guys, because they don’t know, and Rachel Wilson, we have a lady in the cast, which she’s tougher than any of the guys.”
The Blast previously reported on Bam Margera’s troubled time returning to the film, which led to him ultimately getting kicked off of set and out of production.
Bam appears only for a few minutes in the final “Jackass” film.
