Steve-O Says Sobriety Changed How He Approached Jackass Stunts

Steve-O is looking back at some of his most memorable Jackass stunts as part of the new film Jackass: Best and Last.

In a video interview with Entertainment Weekly, Steve-O said he was using drugs while filming parts of the original Jackass: The Movie. He recalled staying awake after using cocaine before filming the "Tropical Pole Vaulting" stunt, calling it a series of "terrible decisions." Although director Jeff Tremaine arranged pole vault training at UCLA, Steve-O said he never became skilled and now considers the stunt weak.

He also shared a story from a trip to Japan, where he and other cast members took psilocybin mushrooms after learning they were legal there at the time. Steve-O described the experience as chaotic and said the night "got real ugly."

Steve-O became sober between Jackass Number Two and Jackass 3D, changing how he approached dangerous stunts. He said he refused to take risks that could leave him dead or permanently injured but still pushed himself to complete painful challenges, including the "Electric Avenue" stunt involving cattle prods and stun guns.

He added that the cast's reactions help determine whether a stunt is successful, saying the group's laughter and excitement are the best measure of whether a segment works.

Jackass: Best and Last is now playing in theaters.