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Steve‑O Says He Was Homeless and Paid Less Than $1,500 for Jackass Season One

Published June 23, the Playboy interview highlights per‑stunt pay for risky early bits and signals the cast’s framing of the new film as the franchise finale.

Overview

  • In a Playboy interview published June 23, Steve‑O said he received less than $1,500 after taxes for the entire eight‑episode first season of Jackass.
  • He told the magazine he was homeless at the time after being kicked out by his sister and was performing while broke and unemployed.
  • Steve‑O said cast members were paid per stunt or “bit,” citing examples of charging $200 to swallow a goldfish and $500 for a shark‑bite stunt.
  • The disclosure came as the group promoted Jackass: Best and Last, which cast members describe as the final film in the franchise.
  • Reporters note the account fits a broader pattern in early reality and stunt TV where performers took high physical risks for small, one‑off fees and that Steve‑O later rebuilt his career with a large YouTube audience and a popular podcast.