If you’ve ever watched a man willingly jump into a cactus patch or ignite a firecracker vest while wearing it, you've likely met Zach Holmes. Most people just call him Zackass. He's the guy who looks like he’s having the best time of his life while simultaneously experiencing what most would call a medical emergency.
Honestly, the rise of Zach Holmes from a kid in Hobart, Indiana, to a staple of the Jackass franchise is one of those "only in America" stories. It’s gritty. It’s messy. It involves a lot of Tasers. But for fans tracking Zach Holmes movies and tv shows, it’s a career that has redefined modern stunt culture for a generation that grew up on YouTube rather than cable TV.
The Viral Roots of a Stunt Legend
Long before he was getting hazing rituals from Johnny Knoxville, Zach was the king of the "don't try this at home" corner of the internet. He started small. Well, "small" is relative when you’re shooting flare guns at your own crotch.
He got kicked off YouTube three times. Most people would take that as a hint to maybe get a desk job. Not Zach. He just moved the carnage to Instagram. That's where the real magic happened. By the time 2018 rolled around, his brand of "Too Stupid to Die" energy had caught the eye of the people who actually run the industry.
Too Stupid to Die (2018)
This was the big break. MTV basically handed the keys to the castle to Zach and his crew. The show was a direct spiritual successor to the early 2000s era of CKY and Jackass. It wasn't polished. It wasn't "safe." It was just a bunch of friends from Indiana—people like Chad Tepper, Coty Saints, and Meggan Wentz—doing things that would make a risk assessment lawyer faint.
The show only lasted one season, but its eight episodes were legendary. You had:
- "Too Stupid to Drive"
- "Too Stupid to Love"
- "Too Stupid for Holidays" (where things got predictably festive and dangerous)
It proved that Zach wasn't just a guy with a high pain tolerance; he was a creator. He co-created the show with Jude Harris, and it served as the ultimate audition tape for what was coming next.
Joining the Big Leagues: Jackass Forever
The transition from being a fan of Jackass to being a member of the crew is the equivalent of a garage band being asked to open for Led Zeppelin. In 2022, Jackass Forever hit theaters, and Zach Holmes was front and center.
He didn't just have a cameo. He was the "new guy" who proved he belonged there by taking hits that even the veterans winced at. Who could forget the "Sashimi" stunt? Or the "Vomitron"? If you've seen the movie, you know exactly which scenes involve Zach—he's usually the one covered in something he shouldn't be, laughing through the chaos.
He also appeared in Jackass 4.5, the behind-the-scenes/deleted scenes companion film that often contains stunts even more unhinged than the main feature. These films solidified his place in the "Next Gen" of stunt performers alongside Rachel Wolfson and Poopies.
The Full Zach Holmes Filmography and TV List
If you're looking for a checklist of where to find him, the list is deeper than you might think. He's a writer, a producer, and a constant guest on the podcast circuit.
- Jackass Forever (2022) – Main cast member.
- Jackass 4.5 (2022) – Feature film.
- Too Stupid to Die (2018) – Creator and star.
- Ridiculousness (2018) – Appeared in two episodes (the "Dudesons" and "Zach Holmes" specials).
- Jackass Shark Week 2.0 (2022) – TV Special.
- Celebrity Family Feud (2022) – Part of the Jackass team competing for charity.
- Fail News (2021–Present) – A Snapchat series he hosts with Rachel Wolfson.
- The Eric Andre Show (2023) – Served as a creative consultant for two episodes.
- Your Pranks, Our Show (2022) – Co-creator and writer.
He’s also popped up in more underground projects like blockheaDs in Britain (2020) and Degenerates In America (2018). These are the deep cuts for the true Zackass completists.
What's Next for Zackass in 2026?
The rumor mill has been spinning, but we finally have some concrete news. Johnny Knoxville confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in early 2026 that a fifth Jackass movie is officially on the way. Zach Holmes is slated to return with the full Jackass Forever cast. The release is currently set for June 26, 2026.
Beyond the big screen, Zach has leaned heavily into the podcast world. His show Maximum Zach (and the previous What The Fudge?) gives a much more human look at the man behind the stunts. He talks about the mental toll of the industry, his friendship with guys like Steve-O, and what it’s like to live with cactus needles permanently embedded in your skin.
The Reality of Being "Zackass"
We should probably talk about the "E-E-A-T" factor here—Experience and Expertise. Zach isn't just a guy "doing dumb stuff." There is a weird, twisted craft to what he does. In interviews, like the one he did with The Ringer, he talks about the physics of impact and the psychological prep required to let someone tase you in the neck.
It’s not all glory and red carpets. He’s been hospitalized more times than most people have had dental cleanings. He’s had staph infections from stunts and has spoken candidly about the "stunt person's comedy aspirations" on podcasts like Steph Infection.
The industry is changing. We don't see many "stunt-reality" shows on cable anymore, which makes Zach’s move into digital spaces like Snapchat and high-end feature films even more impressive. He’s bridged the gap between the old guard of MTV and the new world of TikTok-style viral clips.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with the latest Zach Holmes movies and tv shows, you have to look beyond Netflix.
1. Watch the Classics: Start with Too Stupid to Die on MTV (or Paramount+) to see the raw, unpolished version of his crew. 2. Track the Web Series: His Snapchat show Fail News is where he’s most active day-to-day. It’s quick, bite-sized chaos. 3. The Podcast Circuit: If you want to hear the stories behind the stunts, find his appearances on The Danny Brown Show or Steve-O's Wild Ride!. He's surprisingly articulate about why he does what he does. 4. Gear up for June: Mark your calendar for the next Jackass installment in June 2026.
Zach Holmes is proof that if you’re willing to take a hit—and if you’re funny enough while doing it—the world will eventually stop cringing and start watching. He's not just a stuntman; he's the last of a dying breed of performers who put it all on the line for a five-second laugh.
