For a guy who built his entire career getting hit by shopping carts, set on fire, and launched off ramps for a living, Johnny Knoxville’s personal life is honestly a lot more grounded than you’d expect. Behind the Jackass persona is a man who’s been married three times, raised three kids, and — as of late 2025 — started a whole new chapter with his third wife. Let’s actually walk through it.
Who Is Johnny Knoxville, Really?
Before we get into the marriages, a quick reset: Johnny Knoxville’s real name is Philip John Clapp. He built his fame through the Jackass franchise, first on MTV and later in a string of hit movies, before branching into other film work like The Ringer and The Dukes of Hazzard, plus more recent projects like Fear Factor: House of Fear. But underneath the stunts and the on-screen chaos, his family life has quietly played out over nearly three decades in the public eye.
Wife Number One: Melanie Lynn Clapp
Knoxville’s first marriage was to Melanie Lynn Clapp (sometimes referenced under the name Cates), and it started back in 1995 — years before Jackass even existed. Their daughter, Madison, was born on January 4, 1996, just a year into the marriage. Knoxville has spoken warmly about the moment Madison was born, telling People Magazine that the second she was placed in his arms, all his fear just disappeared.
The marriage lasted until 2008, following a separation that began around 2006, with Knoxville citing irreconcilable differences in the divorce filing. Madison, now in her late twenties, went on to graduate from Oberlin College and has built her own career in entertainment as a writer, producer, and production supervisor — clearly picking up some of her father’s industry instincts along the way.
Wife Number Two: Naomi Nelson
Knoxville’s second marriage was to Naomi Nelson, a documentary filmmaker, whom he married in September 2010. Together they had two children: son Rocko, born December 20, 2009 (just before the wedding), and daughter Arlo, born October 6, 2011.
This marriage lasted over a decade, but the couple separated around September 2021 — reportedly right on their wedding anniversary — before Knoxville filed for divorce in mid-2022. The divorce wasn’t legally finalized until 2024, citing irreconcilable differences once again. Despite the split, Knoxville has continued to be visibly involved in raising Rocko and Arlo, even joking in a television interview that his son inherited what he called “the Jackass gene,” while his daughters, thankfully in his words, did not.
Wife Number Three: Emily Ting
The most recent chapter came in November 2025, when Knoxville married costume designer Emily Ting in a small, private ceremony. Ting is a Los Angeles-based costume designer known for her work on projects like Jackass Forever, and she’s also an accomplished filmmaker in her own right, having picked up awards at film festivals for her directing work.
Knoxville announced the marriage himself on Instagram, writing that there was “no news bigger than this” and thanking director John Waters, who officiated the ceremony. The post included a photo of the newlyweds with their dog, Bucket, and Knoxville didn’t hold back on how happy he was, calling himself “the luckiest and happiest fella in the universe.” As of now, the couple doesn’t have children together, though Knoxville brings his three kids from previous marriages into this new family dynamic.
A Father First
Across all three marriages, one thing stays consistent: Knoxville talks about fatherhood like it genuinely means something to him. His oldest daughter Madison regularly posts about him on social media, including tributes on his wedding day and Father’s Day messages, which paints a picture of a relationship that’s stayed close even as his personal life has shifted over the years. His younger kids, Rocko and Arlo, now teenagers, have also been part of his public life at events and interviews over time.
Quick Bio Snapshot
| Attribute | Details |
| Real Name | Philip John Clapp |
| Known As | Johnny Knoxville |
| First Wife | Melanie Lynn Clapp (m. 1995–2008) |
| Second Wife | Naomi Nelson (m. 2010–2024) |
| Current Wife | Emily Ting (m. November 2025) |
| Children | Madison (b. 1996), Rocko (b. 2009), Arlo (b. 2011) |
| Profession | Actor, stunt performer, producer |
| Known For | Jackass franchise, The Ringer, The Dukes of Hazzard, Fear Factor: House of Fear |
The Bigger Picture
What stands out most about Johnny Knoxville’s family life isn’t the number of marriages — plenty of people in Hollywood have been married more than once. It’s the consistency underneath it: three kids who all seem to have stayed close to him, a public willingness to talk honestly about divorce and fatherhood rather than hide it, and now a fresh start with Emily Ting that he’s clearly excited about. For someone whose career has been built on chaos and stunts, his family story reads a lot more like steady, ongoing commitment — just with a few chapters along the way.
Learn More: Elsa Kurt Age: Real Age and Facts
