Steve-O Reveals He Was ‘Broke and Homeless’ Before ‘Jackass’ Premiered—Having Earned Just $1.5K for ‘Entire First Season’

"Jackass" star Steve-O has opened up about the significant financial struggles he experienced even after securing his role in the hit reality series—revealing that he earned just $1,500 from his work on the first season of the MTV show.

The 52-year-old comedian, whose real name is Stephen Glover, explained during an interview with "Playboy" that he was left "homeless" soon after filming the first episodes of the series, which also starred Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera.

Steve-O explained that, while his life may have changed overnight thanks to his starring role in the show, his search for fortune took longer, particularly after he paid taxes on his minimal earnings.

“When it was all said and done, after taxes, I was paid less than $1,500 for the entire first season of 'Jackass.' Before the show came out, my sister kicked me out of the house. I was broke, unemployed, and homeless, and a star on this big MTV show," he revealed.

"That's one of the first things I learned about fame: It comes a lot easier than fortune,” he added. 

The TV personality also reflected on his upbringing and the days before he found fame as a daredevil.

He began his career as a stuntman by sharing several videos of himself showing off his skateboard skills.

In 1997, tragedy struck when he burned his face while attempting a fire-breathing backflip for the skateboard magazine, "Big Brother."

Although the incident caused him pain, it also made him a household name in the world of stunts.

Following the failed trick, he enrolled in Ringling Bros. Clown College. 

He explained, "The only reason I even thought to go to Clown College was to further my goal of becoming a crazy-famous stuntman. I had been homeless for three years, got zero f—ing traction, and I thought, all right, if I can graduate from Ringling Bros. Clown College, then I'm a trained circus professional. People take me more seriously as a stuntman.”

“The only guy going to Clown College to seek legitimacy,” Steve-O added. 

However, entering the college, ended up helping lead him to the fame he found.

 “The fact that I was a clown endeared me to the f---ing people who started 'Jackass.' It was organic," he added.

Until he began filming, he was working as a clown in clubs, on cruise ships, and even in flea-market circuses.

After the reality series aired in 2000, his life was “black-and-white, completely different overnight.” 

However, he didn't reap the financial benefits of the fame until later.

Although the series continued to grow in popularity, Steve-O confessed that his pay was "comical."

“After five days of filming, I was all banged up, hungover, had been bitten by a shark, and I pulled out a piece of paper to write down what I felt really needed to be on the show. At the top I wrote ‘Goldfish,' and I thought, while I'm at it, I might as well put what I expect to be paid. Next to ‘Goldfish,' I literally wrote $200," he explained.

He went on to joke that all he received for his shark attack troubles were $500—and a "little scar."

Ultimately, however, "Jackass" would go on to earn Steve-O both fame and fortune, with the franchise growing from that first season in 2000 into a major media empire that includes three seasons of the MTV show, several spinoff series, multiple movies, and even a video game.

In the 26 years since the first "Jackass" episode premiered, the comedian has also built an estimated net worth of $4 million—while also growing a very impressive property portfolio that centers around a sprawling ranch in Tennessee, where he moved in 2024, having spent many years living in Los Angeles.

Steve-O opened up about his decision to quit California in favor of the Volunteer State in a video posted to his YouTube channel in May 2024, explaining that he was ready to leave behind the trappings of Hollywood, including his former dwelling in the Hollywood Hills.

"I've got this ranch in Tennessee, which I love so much," he explained, before adding: "Hollywood, it's been cool, but I'm out."

The daredevil then offered viewers a tour of his L.A. property, which he revealed he was putting on the market for $1.8 million. He ultimately sold the dwelling for more than $300,000 over his asking price just days later, with records showing that the deal closed for $2.14 million on June 10 of that same year.

Steve-O made a sizable profit on the $1.2 million he paid for the dwelling in 2014, although he did invest a significant amount in renovating the property before putting it on the market, noting in his YouTube clip that he had removed the most unique features in order to make it more appealing to the average buyer.

The comedian is now preparing to release the final installment of the movie series "Jackass: Best and Last," which is due for release on June 26.