One of, if not the most crucial aspects of filmmaking is the team behind the movie itself. Actors, set designers, editors and the director themself all come together behind the scenes to make a film successful and have a lasting impact on the audience.
Sometimes, these teams work so well together that their relationships last long after the movie wraps up production and the actors continue to remain in touch for years. The “Jackass” franchise is one of those times where this is the case.
For the cast of the franchise, what started as a small TV show on MTV in the early 2000’s quickly grew into a popular comedy franchise with several movies that spanned over the course of over 20 years.
Behind the laughs was a special bond between the team that made it happen. Longtime cast members Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and Chris Ponitus have remained friends behind the scenes for years, consistently supporting each other during their own personal endeavors.
Last year, Knoxville showed up to support Ponitus and Steve-O during their comedy routine in Pasadena, joking in an Instagram post that he would “never look at Mentos and Coke the same way again” after watching their performance.
The cast of the comedy franchise is just one of many examples of a strong dynamic that forms behind the scenes while making a movie. Consider actor Robert de Niro and Director Martin Scorsese, perhaps one of the longest and most successful friendships in Hollywood history.
The two first worked together for the 1973 film “Mean Streets,” which ended up being the first of many successful films they would be a part of. The duo would go on to make 10 films together, with many of the films being released to critical acclaim and being nominated for several Oscars.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable and beloved friendships in Hollywood is Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. The two are perhaps best known for their portrayal of Woody and Buzz Lightyear in the “Toy Story” franchise, which just saw the release of its fifth installment.
The two have remained close friends off camera, and have done several comedic interviews over the years.
Whether they span a few years or a few decades, the bond that the cast and crew share when making a film can sometimes be even more meaningful than the film itself. The friendships that the team shares show just how much the films that they are a part of mean to them, and make those final moments on screen even more bittersweet.
“Jackass: Best and Last,” the final installment of the franchise, is set to premiere June 26.