Johnny Knoxville on meeting Hunter S. Thompson

[@glennbrymer4065]

Once, a long time ago, when I was a young disabled veteran hitchhiking around the west. I went through the Aspen area for a few days. Just checking out things. I use to spend summers as a kid in Colorado. I was walking past some stores. There was a man trying to get some boxes full of liquor bottles out a door to his vehicle. He asked me to please help him in his mission. Well, it was HST. He offered to buy me lunch. I ate, he drank. We talked. He was pretty amazing to listen to when he got rolling. He was a nice guy. He was fascinated by my story about getting messed up in the Army overseas. He thought it was pretty krazy. It was pretty cool meeting him as someone on the street.

[@nadapuesnada7716]

Sometimes the universe gives us a gift we did not expect.

[@stefanobajos6627]

That’s such a cool encounter. Thanx for sharing

[@JohannesLG12203]

wow, Hunter S. Thompson being fascinated by your story is the highest praise you can get

[@steviechampagne]

Bro YOU are the cool one in this story. Thank you for posting this story. I have long held the belief that KZbin comments are where the most real and true humanity can be found. I’ve been able to read so many cool little stories from real people in random comment sections on here. To me, I just think that’s so cool. What a life this is

[@Skygrey2943]

I read a few of Thompsons's books when I was homeless. I would've been pretty starstruck if I somehow bumped into him like you did. That's something to remember. Thanks for sharing.

[@tommy2159]

I was obsessed with Hunter S. Thompson when I was in my late teens, early 20s. Eventually, I reached an age where I continued to appreciate his contributions to literature, but started to realize that it was a mistake to revere him as some sort of hero. When he took his own life, that only cemented the position. I think it was his sheer talent that papered over the fact that his 'buy the ticket, take the ride' philosophy is an utterly selfish and broken way to go about life. But this is what we do... we mistake eloquence for truth and wrongly convince ourselves that there's a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow. And for the author himself, what kind of mindfuck must it be when, seemingly, the whole world celebrates and mythologizes your most destructive instincts? You've got guys like Johnny Depp, John Cusack, and Sean Penn worshipping you like a guru... I mean, how are you supposed to get off that treadmill? And look, I'm not trying to accuse anyone of anything in particular, but when you hear a guy like Johnny Knoxville recount how empty Thompson was towards the end, you have to acknowledge that it must've been exhausting, constantly performing for these star studded audiences... having to be that Raul Duke character he knew they preferred. You wonder if their romanticized view of him, as well as his philosophy, stood in the way of actually getting him help.

[@zackwebb8697]

@@tommy2159 It's a shame, really. I feel like the absolute craziest thing he could've done after a certain point would've been to clean up and replace his drug use with jogging or something. It's said he used to jog at night so no one knew he was remotely health conscious.. pretty sad.

[@BigSmiley0TV]

​@@zackwebb8697I find it hard to believe that he was trying to hide that he was health conscious, as when he traveled, he always made sure to stay in a place with a pool, so he could do laps. He lived a very active life, and was not just into destroying himself. That was one of the major problems of his at the end, was that he couldn't be physically active anymore and seemed very depressed to be becoming ever more crippled up and unable to live as he wished to live

[@vigodatopia2229]

Derp...

[@zackwebb8697]

@@BigSmiley0TV I read that in a biography written by his friend. I'm not making up theories lol

[@VitaKet]

Lets not assume we know what was going on in his head my guy.

[@fastnbulbouss]

"On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio."

[@te9591]

@@fastnbulbouss no

[@notsorry3631]

It certainly can

[@SansSelf]

It definitely can beat the car's internal sensor for miles until empty, that's for sure. You just have to be real zen about it ... and not have a gas station anywhere until the car pretty much rolls to a stop at the only pump for 50 miles.

[@Popskull_666]

@@te9591 It's a Hunter Thompson quote from *I think* Hells Angels there Numbnuts

[@te9591]

@@Popskull_666 how about you talk more sh*t on the internet.

[@heavybre]

"He who acts like a beast relieves himself of the pain of being a man."

[@m.A.A.dGanja420]

- Me, Five Minutes Ago

[@prezidenttrump5171]

What a lame azz quote LMFAO

[@itsreallynotimportantt]

man if you don't delete this bullshit and post the correct quote lol

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

“He who makes a beast of himself”p gets rid of the pain of being a man.” His wave spwech is where it’s really at tho

[@alexsetterington3142]

That is a quote from Dr Samuel Johnson

[@BryceJose97]

A good rule of thumb: NO celebrities should be your hero

[@newenglandpatriot4069]

Agreed.

[@earugo2531]

Celebrities and artists are not the same.

[@shrekrickey1931]

@@earugo2531 not as different as you hope

[@zackwebb8697]

@@BryceJose97 Couldn't agree more. Never understood why people worship someone they've never met

[@misstina1986]

No one should be your hero. People are fallible.

[@TheMasonator777]

Hunter S. Thompson was not an example to follow in how he lived his life. He was an example to follow in how he saw through bullshit.

[@samsterlicious864]

He always seemed like an idiot in his interviews. Just a talented writer

[@chadwickwright2833]

@@samsterlicious864Nah, he was just on drugs. He was highly intelligent. That’s the difference between you and I.

[@echolalia682]

@@chadwickwright2833 Highly intelligent people don't squander their intelligence on drugs. That's the difference between you and I

[@rockymontanagarciamane]

⁠@@echolalia682he had more money than all the other highly intelligent folk in there own fields and he didn't have to cockride the reptilian ass government to get there

[@jasondiend4248]

@@echolalia682 LOLOLOLOLOLOL Intelligent people do exactly that. High stress. High pressure. Often mental health issues. Cocktail of a life. Intelligent people do drugs all the time. It can be for escape. It can be an addiction that you picked up through proper use of medication but got addicted to it. Doing drugs is bad. However people do it to get out of their stressful lives. Intelligent people do just the same thing.

[@MGrant-bj1dc]

Hunter's hero was Hemingway, who ended his life the same way. If you've ever watched someone who lived a badass life, get old, deteriorate and basically be a bag of bones until death takes them... I can't condemn a man for going out on his own schedule.

[@mumbles215]

Hemingway most likely had CTE from the plane crashes and boat fall and skylight hitting his head in France. Not to mention some shell shock from explosions from the Spanish war.

[@WestXWestlmnop]

Even Hercules lit himself on fire

[@ringkichardthethrid7147]

I always thought it was a little questionable to do it in the messy way that he did with his young son in the other room, knowing he would probably be the one to find the aftermath.

[@PhillipRaymondGoodman]

​@@mumbles215 wasn't he given really bad electro shock therapy as well and ended up coming out of it even more depressed?

[@notsorry3631]

He had a quote, something like he couldn't make it one day if he didn't know he could exit at any time. That's always stuck with me, got me through some rough days. I've been s*icidal since I was 4 years old. It always takes telling myself, make it one more day. Hold off til tomorrow. And it works.

[@CB-ke7eq]

Johnny looking like your cool lesbian aunt.

[@leroilapue15]

Since when have lesbians been cool? 😅

[@anthonymeier6024]

Frigging gold.

[@CB-ke7eq]

@@leroilapue15 I'd wager longer than you sweetie.

[@citizensnips7949]

Lesbians who look like Knoxville are never cool.

[@Naltddesha]

@@leroilapue15great point

[@mikey2toes966]

“All my friends are dead, what’s the point?” Heard that from a lot of elderly I have taken care of.

[@TheZom1965]

I remember my great aunt telling me the same thing and how it made me feel so sad.

[@Ivegotwormsinme]

​@@TheZom1965 I've got to say something before this particular thread becomes just wallowing in misery. What's the point? Coming from someone who considers the opt out clause of life semi-frequently, it's just to keep going. It's to ride the ride. It's to find what you're truly made of. The point is to continue digging and digging until you either hit bottom and realize "this truly is it" or you become the best at digging you possibly can be. But once you do get to a point where you think you can't go any further, that even though you've been spinning your tires, running in circles, or otherwise have become stagnant, there's still that something else just around the corner that may make the struggle worth it. I would love to be able to tell Kurt Cobain - "Hey, man, in only a few years time they're going to create a drug that's going to completely nullify your heroin addiction and once you get that under control, you can start working on yourself. You don't have to feel this way. Believe me, I know. Because believe it or not, you are an extremely important person to a whole lot of people. If you can just find it in yourself to keep going, I promise things are going to change for the better." But then again, I have to point out my own hypocrisy in that I consider exiting stage left often when my own depression becomes too heavy. All of my friends have either moved on with their lives, started families, or died of overdoses. It's hard sometimes, but I do my best to try to find that point in question. Sometimes it's obvious, but sometimes it takes a lot of work to even glimpse on that point. But there IS a point.

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Yes, “everyone i know dead” and “i try to be extra careful around stairs, everyone i know died falling down the stairs”

[@Travybear1989]

Yeah, as you get older your social circle diminishes to basically nothing. Hell, I'm only 36 and 2 of my close friends from school have died. One took his own life and the other developed brain cancer. Then there is the fact that most of them get married and have kids and before you know it your hardly ever around them and you grow apart. I honestly can't say that I really enjoy life anymore because after I got married 6 years ago and had a kid my wife left my son and I out of nowhere and moved to a different state and began living with some other guy because even we grew apart over time. When I met her we were very similar and life was great but things started changing about 4 years in and she started hanging around a different crowd and getting into drugs and before you know it she was cheating on me for drugs but told me it wasn't cheating if she didn't love them. Then one day a car pulled up in my yard with three guys in it and she packed her backpack and left and when I questioned what was going on the guys just told me "she isn't yours anymore, she belongs to the streets now" while laughing at me and apparently she wanted that life because being a wife and a mother was too boring for her. I still have my son and my aging parents though but life has certainly threw a few curveballs at me and now I can only work 20-30 hours a week because I have to watch my son as well as work so the bills are hardly getting paid and I'm stuck in a lease for another 6 months. It's rough to put it lightly. Got back into contact with an ex from many years ago who has been trying to reach me for years and we've been talking off and on but she is living in another state and has a boyfriend. We were young and dumb when we ended things and broke up after a single miscommunication so I guess we both realize that we both still love eachother and I've honestly not stopped thinking about her and she told me the same. Sadly, life pulled us in different directions so everything is pretty much in limbo and I have told her to not leave her boyfriend over me because that's wrong but if anything ever happens I'll be here. Honestly though, with the way things are going economically I've had a hell of a time and I've been trying to get my ex-wife for child support but apparently she has vanished off the face of the Earth so can't get any help from that and I can't get food stamps either because I supposedly make too much which is bullshit. I'm paying over $900 a month in rent alone and my weekly income is about $450 and when you add in bills, gas, food, and other necessities I'm lucky to even have $200 at the end of the month. Then there is the fact that my son is nonverbal and has autism and the night his mom left traumatized him because she didn't even hug him or tell him goodbye and she had a look of hatred in her eyes instead of motherly love. When he tried to get her to come back she shoved him off of her and yelled "your retarded" so now my son has had to go to therapy and has severe abandonment issues so there are days I can't even go to work because he will refuse to stay with the babysitter and I can't put her through that. Trying to do my best through everything but it's hard. I went on a date last week and ended up scaring her off because she asked how a guy like me was single so I told her and she ghosted me the next day onwards. I've came to the conclusion that once my parents are gone all I will have left is my son but I'm holding it together for him.

[@1960ken144]

my 80-year-old landlord says that frequently when we hang out....hard to respond to

[@Lexington101]

I love Hunter's work and I was once a part of that lifestyle, but there comes a time when you don't necessarily have to grow up, but you have to take responsibility for yourself.

[@ts1265]

Well put

[@m.hreels9822]

Indeed. Very well put. 👍🏻

[@pussycats456]

It gets to the stage where you can’t really function in society and with people in a ‘normal’ way, because the recovery period gets longer as you age.

[@marquettegloves9907]

I think all of us who have lived the addict/alcoholic lifestyle come to a decision at some point. Do I want to achieve my dreams and live a long time, or do I want to never reach my potential and die early? Not everybody picks life. For some the idea of sobriety and being your true self is too scary to overcome. When drugs or alcohol are literally your safety net for going through life, it takes great courage to remove that. But life is much easier when sober, so that's the carrot on the stick ppl should move towards. Hunter couldn't manage it unfortunately. RIP.

[@JoJo-xo7lg]

Nah, you have to grow up. That doesn't mean you don't maintain the curiosity of a child.

[@billb89]

Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy - William Shakespeare That one quote hits me harder at 53 years old than ever before in my life.

[@goofballbiscuits3647]

It wasn't Shakespeare; it was F. Scott Fitzgerald.

[@saljablo2767]

@@goofballbiscuits3647whoa…what did Scott Fitzgerald do to you!

[@goofballbiscuits3647]

@@saljablo2767 lol that's an amazing joke

[@Blinkyjedi]

Shakespeare and fitz are fake and gay

[@te9591]

What play was that from?

[@chrisstandeford2699]

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

[@justinDchapman]

You can have a hero without replicating everything they do. Separate the good from the bad.

[@mdog86]

Exactly. Hunter was a self-destructive type of person but he was still brilliant and an incredible writer. He was an amazing human being and definitely one of my literary heroes.

[@ronnienoneyabusiness2844]

Like GG Allin he had some bad ass shit and then some sick evil shit

[@tompanoname3579]

@@ronnienoneyabusiness2844 Really? GG Allin compared to HS Thompson? Never seen or heard Hunter shit himself and enjoy it...

[@theguyonthecouch42024]

It's why my heros are fictional, superman spiderman Jesus, the Joker, do I really want to meet any of these guys?

[@tompanoname3579]

@@theguyonthecouch42024 That's smooth choice. My heroes are all dead.

[@Pigsandpies1984]

Never confuse the art with the artist. I still distinctly remember being on a train in San Francisco, reading Fear and Loathing, and completely losing my composure , laughing hysterically out loud. To this day, I would say that Hunter Thomson was one of the funniest writers I have ever read. No book ever made me laugh like that. And for that, I am eternally grateful. That is magic. Hunter never owed anything more than what he gave to us. As to his personal struggles, I hope he found peace.

[@JohnnyBeaverslap]

Never laughed out loud reading a book anywhere close to reading HST. Absolute genius.

[@christinabroadstreet1007]

This. ❤

[@itsfine5818]

Agreed. I find it funny that everyone still always think their heroes are perfect people, whether they're writers or musicians or whatever. Great art often comes from a tremendous place of despair.

[@npsavat6799]

unfortunately, i watched Fear and Loathing. I don't remember laughing at all. Hunter S, Joe Rogan, etc. promote D rug use. Don't follow their advice..

[@garybaxter7297]

Finding peace would be the opposite of suicide? Correct?

[@liammcooper]

"It never got too extreme, I was just able to identify vicodin by flavor." It never occurred to me how gonzo Jackass (Johnny Knoxville in particular) was. They're like if Hunter Thompson wrote a 3 Stooges script.

[@MrTL3wis]

You're not wrong.

[@D-Fens_1632]

I don't buy taste, but there was a time I could probably get quite a few right by size and shape, if we're talking purely painkillers.

[@RyTrapp0]

@@D-Fens_1632 Yup, feel that

[@Gael_the_Dread]

​@@D-Fens_1632Aye, I feel that, but, during my days, in my area, I'm sure if someone put hydrocodones in my mouth while my eyes were closed, (a never realized dream for many.) I MIGHT'VE known what it was...

[@MomMom4Cubs]

Vicodin has a Tylenol taste. Brand name Vicodin takes most like brand name Tylenol (the generic ones often taste like Buffrin).

[@jamescarter3196]

"Was he a cautionary tale or a best-case scenario?" Awesome phrasing, very concise.

[@Indiocean]

Both

[@laserprawn]

Ha! Yeah, right!

[@cloudzundersky]

It’s a legit argument

[@GEMSofGOD_com]

I don't get what's wrong with drugs other than wrong drugs (and non-compliance with the corruption of Harry J Anslinger and synthetic fiber producers)

[@RyTrapp0]

Dude should be a writer or something

[@michellehart8429]

Hunter S Thompson was always the character he wrote about. True to form. He grew old while ravaging his body with drugs and alcohol. At some point, ya either turn the corner and fight off the shit that melts your brain, innards, muscles, lungs and bones, or give into it. And sometimes the realization that it’s too late to turn things around becomes final. The brilliance of HST lives on. ♥️

[@NinjaGrrrl7734]

This comment is a lovely eulogy. I adored HST and still do. But I never thought he was a hero. He never pretended to be one.

[@terrapinflyer273]

There's a lot of people I know or have known, very close to me, that I wish would have done that or done that sooner ("turn and fight" what ails you). But... You can't change people. All you can do is try your best to influence change. And sadly, sometimes it gets to a point where you're tired of hurting yourself by trying and watching them continue to endlessly hurt themselves. So the only option you have left is to walk away - and hope and pray that maybe doing so creates that first step for them.

[@VividFilmProductions]

He was a brilliant writer but was into some dark things in real life and I don’t mean just drugs.

[@TheMightyGT]

@@VividFilmProductions what else was he into?

[@SuperMrHiggins]

I was at a detox facility once with a 78 year old man who had been living in his car shooting speed for the prior two years. It's never to late to turn things around.

[@DSAK55]

"So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark-that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back.” HST 1971

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

"As your attorney, I advise you to take hit out of the little brown bottle in my shaving kit"

[@playedout148]

Boomers man. They ruined it and continue to do so.

[@ehhhhhhhh2233]

Know anything else other than what you watch on Fear & Loathing? 😒

[@LEDonnell]

@@ehhhhhhhh2233 jesus....let people enjoy things.

[@aesopbricktop]

@@ehhhhhhhh2233Karma is real, and words are magic, even when you think youre typing them anonymously, bot.

[@r9999t]

I read "Fear and Loathing" in 1984 and I felt sooo late to the party. Loved Hunter's writing as I'm sure many others here did as well. I'm immensely grateful to Johnny Depp that he honored Hunter and fulfilled his final wish. That's true class, fulfilling a wish for a man who can never thank you, or even recognize that you followed through on his wish. I'm remembering a quote from John Belushi concerning Hunter... "I just can't keep up with that guy". Very few can, or ever could. "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.", said by Einstein, describing Gandhi, but I feel still it's appropriate to describe these other men.

[@Connection-Lost]

"said by Einstein, describing Gandhi" Lmao Einstein was sleeping with his cousin and Ghandi straight up said that whites are superior to indians AND blacks

[@agailparsons]

"I want to go home." that hit hard. I used to say that when my mental health was at its worst and I felt like I was in the bottom of a pit looking up and couldn't see the sky. I was ready to "go home." Thankfully I got help but it was rough.

[@frankula]

I used to drink a lot in my teens, and after first few blackouts, all of a sudden, a voice appeared in my head every time i drank a bit too much, that kept saying over and over ''where is your jacket, you need to go home?!'', and it just wouldn't stop until i've listened, and of course, every time it saved me from getting as shitfaced as i did before. So, we all definitely love ourselves enough to stop hurting ourselves, but we need to stop and listen first.

[@remaininginlight]

Johnny Knoxville was and still is a cool as they come.Always comes across like a good dude.

[@BPF80MCar-vi1pg]

Dude sucks soooooo bad.

[@PreWayPE]

key words: comes across. because it’s an ACT

[@alexswedock3911]

I watched Men In Black 2 way too many times when I was a child so he's permanently that idiot in my head, I'm sorry

[@barryshaw7304]

At least Hunter called it right when he told him he didn't seem very bright! Lol!!!

[@jcarry5214]

@@PreWayPE You know because...?

[@alfredjarry503]

One of the greatest prolific writers of the 20th. Century. Love him or hate him. I myself love him. Genius in his own time.

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

I love him too.

[@hahajones]

Fucking A well told…

[@nicobluewheeler6991]

I’m the biggest Chris Farley fan in the world. He felt like he had to be the life of the party constantly. And in the end that’s what got him.

[@Vub.]

Me too. He still is my hero but I see the sadness in it all now.

[@gloriasheppard7747]

RIP Chris Farley. I'm sure you're loved in heaven too. ❤️

[@ghostafterlivesmatter8732]

I thought it was all the crack and prostitutes

[@Connection-Lost]

@@gloriasheppard7747 I could ask one of 1000 questions and immediately prove to you heaven isn't real when you can't find the answer

[@benschumacher9635]

In the end, what got him was partying with strangers who didn't care about him. The call girl just left him to die alone in a hotel room.

[@Steve-1269]

No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. . 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun - for anybody 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax - This won’t hurt. -Hunter S Thompson

[@MGrant-bj1dc]

@@Steve-1269 Football Season is over.

[@johnmorgan4405]

Hunter S Thompson was a human being and thus imperfect. He had extreme appetites but was also a brilliant writer. Some humans are just more flawed than others, so we should remember that and not be too quick to judge. RIP.

[@Rainy_Day12234]

Thompson was a highly flawed person with extraordinary insight.

[@Poopsmear]

Most Geniuses are flawed. Anyone with a 130+ IQ has issues.

[@-The-Darkside]

Flawed how? He lived life as he wanted. We're all flawed.

[@RebornLegacy]

@Rainy_Day12234 What? Nobody commits suicide because they love thier life.

[@A_YouTube_Commenter]

@@RebornLegacy Facts.

[@grose2272]

​@@RebornLegacypart of any genuis flaw is their narcissism and narcissists hate getting old and in some cases can't cope with the aging process which he couldn't, in his mind he would never be old , especially a proud man like hunter , he was terrified of losing his facilties and swore years before that he would take himself out so he'd never have to suffer the indignity of old age! And he did what he promised.

[@liverpoolfcx7]

I never saw him as a hero but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t interested in how he chose to live his life his own way and the art he produced. Some of his writing is genuinely beautiful

[@chadwik4000]

Way to suck him off

[@te9591]

What book would you recommend?

[@thatdude3977]

😂

[@HandSoloRecords]

@@te9591 A great place to start with Hunter S Thompson is Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. If you're into politics, Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail is also a great look at the '72 presidential election.

[@jabrokneetoeknee6448]

Exactly. I don’t know why there is this insistence to look at artists for advice about how the world should be. Art gives insights into the human spirit and enriches our inner worlds. Explains what it all is. But as for how it should be? An artist is the last person to ask

[@jamesw4895]

People put famous people on pedestals. I am guilty of this. But the true heroes in my life are my wife, my father and my mother. They are there when you are down , sick and unemployed.

[@sugmintub]

In the end, we are all just human beings.

[@zchris87v80]

Unless they're not alive. My mom is the only living parent between my wife and I. She's been a shut in since her second husband died. My wife's parents died 3 months apart. This all happened around the time we were 30. So it's really just the two of us having to be the adults.

[@mrdjr6544]

​@@zchris87v80 Life can be hell. In fact, life is hell, for many people. Ain't no words gonna make you feel right brother. Keep up the good fight, better to be your own hero than project onto someone else and never achieve heroic status.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

@@zchris87v80visit her. Bring treats.

[@aliasart7485]

Man's got his priorities

[@johnnymeyer4253]

This is one of the best Jamie Lee Curtis interviews I have ever seen.

[@chrish1657]

3:30 host changes the subject just when he's getting to the meat. Great job... 😒

[@gleamingbean6803]

I feel that. I can also see that he has excentuated what his biggest fears were... on the surface level, at least.

[@richpeltier9519]

Seeing Where The Buffalo Roam as a teen changed me in some fundamental ways. It was a good time to find Hunter and I was fortunate to have already learned some of the cautionary side of the legend lifestyle. Balance and moderation with allow you to walk farther off path, than just charging off the path. Gonzo gonna Gonzo. 🤘🧙‍♂🤘

[@playedout148]

I've read most of his published stuff. Great writer.

[@daemonelectricity]

I think Hunter probably struggled with that reality more than his writing let on. If you watch the Omnibus BBC episode or listen to any of the bootlegs of his college Q&As, he's super aware that the caracture he painted of himself became the expectation that he would have to live up to in some cases and in others, it made people write him off as a drug addled lunatic. After a while, he was living in his own fictional shadow. I also think that's why he greatly disliked the Uncle Duke character in Doonsbury because he was already sick of everyone thinking that's who he was. There's a huge difference in wanting to be uninhibited by society norms and being defined as a complete caracture of a person who lives well outside them.

[@nashvader]

Well said brother.

[@MGrant-bj1dc]

@@richpeltier9519 People get pissed but I believe Bill Murray did a better HST than Depp. Depp nailed the character in F&L. Murray nailed the actual person. Just m.o.

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Oh give me a home..

[@maxkoch]

I have been waiting for this answer for years, so thank you. I talked to Knoxville once on the phone. He was at Barney’s Beanery and he took my call and he was so funny and kind to me. It was a brief chat, and sure enough I did get very nervous…but at the end I did ask him: what it was like to meet Hunter S. Thompson? He just laughed and then we hung up.

[@daemonthorn5888]

I really appreciate his honesty here. And his ability to self-reflect.

[@lithiumgaurd]

relax let Johnny talk unimpeded. Your best moments as an interview are when you are an active listener.

[@Lt.DanFLORIDA]

Dude foreal

[@flapjacks9402]

Yup. This. Just STFU sometimes Neil

[@holliefitzzz]

totally! never seen this interviewer before but he is awful at it. also though i edit pods for a living and i never allow any crosstalk like this. it happens all the time in a normal convo at a bar, but this is an interview!

[@Mr_Top_Hat_Jones]

I don’t know how many times I said ‘I’m gonna party for a couple of months, and then reel it back in.’ Sometimes I did, but a lot times I didn’t. It’s hard to reel it back in.

[@shesemerald2011]

Heroes exist for you to learn from their trials and tribulations. None are perfect all are flawed.

[@Joshonthenet]

…and that’s what makes them just like us. Except they have way more money

[@ghostduster1]

Most people want to emulate the life of their hero's though.

[@3rdWorldNola]

I remember seeing Knoxville in New Orleans. I passed him by and said hey Knoxville! And he said hey back. It was cool.

[@Guest-u5c]

Your easily pleased, you do know he is a nonce dont you.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I seen Bob Villa at Miami airport....My uncle asked him where he was going. Lol

[@daschwah]

HST reminds me of George Carlin; transcendent and prophetic figures who, if you happen to live long enough, go from being the guys you idolized to the guys you’re glad you didn’t become. Giving into bitterness, cynicism and hopelessness gets easier as the world starts taking things away from you. It takes some brass balls to keep your head up and look for something good in this world.

[@nickrandles1102]

Thank you for this

[@sealevelrogan1322]

Carlin was great up until the end. Clearly he offended you.

[@Blue_SevenLAMF]

@@sealevelrogan1322”it takes brass balls not to be offensive to me in your comedy” what a clown statement

[@MiSambra]

Carlin was doing movies like "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" in his twilight years. I'm sure the dude was fun up until the end. That was just his style of comedy.

[@cristhian900]

@@MiSambraThat classic lighthouse scene from Scary Movie 3 lol

[@tronrobojim6526]

I love hearing Johnny talk like this. The honesty and insight, fabulous. Godspeed man….

[@A_eon_flux]

He had a serious darkness attached to him Too powerful for him to tackle He not alone now But he was because of what was on him. RIP This was a powerful. He is free now.

[@williambond2267]

Johnny Knoxville’s next movie. “Fear and Loathing in the Reading Circle.”

[@laufmin]

Laughed out loud seeing this

[@erichvonmolder9310]

Reading a guy's work in a circle with a cadre of characters (including Sean Penn) in front of the guy who actually wrote it? It shows you how delicate his ego was and this cultish behavior to Mr. Thimpson. How many people in this "cadre" were around his own age? I bet none, because they are either dead or grew up and moved on. He never grew up, which is fine, that was on him.

[@PallazzoPodcast]

GOLD!

[@figarofugazi5462]

I mean he probably could play a decent Hunter S Thompson.

[@PallazzoPodcast]

@@figarofugazi5462 I'd be down for that

[@DomWrath]

Hunter S. Thompson, William S. Burroughs, Sebastian Horsley, Philip K. Dick, so many others who sacrificed their well-being willingly, in a sense lost themselves in their pursuit of artistry, fame, truth, indulgence, or were just trying to run from the pain of not understanding and not being understood. I love them all for helping me understand myself better but could never envy their lives, would never want to go through their struggles, and cannot condone the damage they inflicted on any innocent bystanders. I'm glad hero worship is going out of style, but hope we can do better at accepting all humans as inherently failable by design, especially when dealing with highly emotional and creative individuals. Surely we as a society can both encourage emotionally raw art while discouraging extremely hedonistic and self destructive behavior. And we could do better with giving grace to those who came before us, since we're currently in an unprecedented age of communication and information that simply wasn't as available even a couple decades ago. Who are we to say we absolutely would have done better if placed in their shoes?

[@RawOlympia]

I thought Philip K. Dick too! And maybe Jim Morrison ~~ Sebastian Horsely, yes/ Fassbinder knew to lock himself away during such binges ~~

[@michellehart8429]

Let’s not forget Charles Bukowski!

[@RawOlympia]

@@michellehart8429

[@tedjustadmitit.1540]

Phillip Seymour Hoffman

[@tannerhachey1525]

Once every fewish years I'll go down a Hunter s Thompson rabbit hole.... It's always fun haha.

[@YouLikeBosch]

My best friend in high school was a massive Hunter fan, loved that entire counterculture, dude was born in the wrong decade and would've slipped right in to the late 60s, early 70s without changing anything about himself. I remember the day Hunter killed himself and my friend was almost expecting it. He knew exactly what Hunter S. Thompson was really about, and I remember him saying something along the lines of "he probably wasn't going out any other way". He didn't cling to his celebrity so much as he just was able to filter it into this deep respect. I wonder where Dave is at these days, we lost touch, but i think of him often. He was good people.

[@nicholasadamson2103]

Hunter was a fucking legend. No he wasnt perfect. I still love the guy.

[@kunutc4331]

"You gotta be careful how you chose your heroes" is so true. As a former running back and track and field guy, 2 of my heroes growing up were O.J. Simpson and Bruce Jenner 😞

[@8dHb8]

🤣

[@kristiant96]

oh man I have news for you fella

[@Aster_Risk]

I sincerely hope you're upset about Jenner being a selfish rich person and you aren't comparing being trans to being a murderer.

[@gluehuffer6955]

​@@kristiant96i don't see how that's possible

[@kunutc4331]

@@kristiant96 Yeah, I know. O.J. Simpson committed double homicide and Bruce Jenner came out of the closet as a republican 😂

[@BobPlaysOfficial]

HST is an excellent example of someone you can respect but who you also don't want to end up like. He was a brilliant writer and a phenomenal commentator of the times he lived in, which were fascinating and transformative times for America, but I would have hated to have lived like he did. He lived fast, hard and it ultimately drove him to self destruction.

[@ابراهيم_محمد_الازهر]

Never meet your “heros”. People are people. You will almost always be disappointed.

[@Handlebardesign]

Is that how really famous people fly? Call the famous person and say “Is there anybody headed in that direction?” that’s awesome.

[@VitaKet]

The very rich all fly private or have private planes themselves. So yea.

[@d36williams]

@@VitaKet befopre 9/11 you could sky hike, go to private airports and ask for rides, 9/11 security shit put an end to that sadly. Maybe you still can but you need to get to the terminal areas

[@XanVicious]

@@d36williamswe used to be able to smoke and party on planes, not that I’d know as I was born in 2000. Still looked like a ton of fun though, imagine bagging a girl otw to your vacation destination and you party it up all the way there

[@PH5221]

​@@XanVicious "born in 2000" .... "we". Lol.

[@XanVicious]

@@PH5221 ? It’s a collective “we” as in “we as a country” must be tough being that ştupid huh buddy? 🙏🏻😭

[@patrickkelly4479]

I loved his writing from the 70’s. I met him briefly at his son’s graduation in Boulder CO. It was very sad. He was allowed to be there by a temporary lifting of his ex-wife’s restraining order. He was very timid and trying hard to behave, just to see his son briefly. He really seemed like a defeated shell of a person. I still value his work, but realize the person behind it was tragic.

[@jackolantern22]

“I couldn’t believe he would take the time to call me.” “What did he say?” “….I can’t recall precisely.” 😂

[@sonny9493]

4,000 concussions later 😂

[@Joshonthenet]

@@sonny9493seriously

[@westmcgee9320]

It’s common. And doesn’t mean angering except that he’s human. That’s why there’s a whole cliche about forgetting the finer details of your interactions with people in-favor of how they made you feel.

[@natantataii8195]

@@westmcgee9320 have you ever heard HST talk on the phone, it is beyond chaotic. No normal human could keep up with his rambles and the mumbling way of speaking. This is nothing for a housewife "Psychology today" analysis. This is HST.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

@@natantataii8195 no i sure havent

[@Mrchungus11C-OIR]

Bam is a good example of being careful about who you pick as your heros.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

steveo with his regretable satan star tattoo

[@jjwhy321y3]

@@Mrchungus11C-OIR Hunter hated fans. Plenty of content in that department. He'd have random friends roam around his property 'security' drunk w shotguns.

[@Mrchungus11C-OIR]

@@davehughesfarm7983 you haven’t seen the baby tattoo ….

[@3fngrassclap]

It’s nice to see y’all give my aunt’s roommate a platform to talk with other ladies

[@MChiave]

“I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.”

[@rickylooez2388]

As I get older in my 50’s, I realize that Love, family & friends are so important. Love is so important. Living a selfish life will leave you feeling empty & lead to a lonely, sad life in the end.

[@Beefry222]

This is very well said. I'm heading g toward 50 in less than a month and it's fucking me up, but I have a family and friends that I would never trade for another night swerving into a nightclub parking lot on a weekend bender. I feel so lucky that the lifestyle never took hold.

[@SpencerDrummer]

Spot on. I recently really got that drilled in my head at 39. Even money is losing its luster. Of course I’d love more of it and the freedom is creates, but I’m sick of living for it and chasing it. I have a beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters and that’s what’s up! I quit drinking a few years ago to also help hammer in that point. Good sleep is my new drug hahah

[@MarcIverson]

All life is sad in the end.

[@yossafied]

"All my friends are dead, what’s the point?” Said the man with children.

[@chrisc4264]

Men without children and a terrible family upbringing would say the same

[@amberdee38828]

What a great conversation... like pulling teeth...

[@holliefitzzz]

guy just about managed to get his drink sponsor in the shot though thank godx

[@yommmrr]

This is why lemmy will always be the king, dude stayed himself and did what he loved until the end, he never hurt anyone and just gave happiness to people.

[@dolphinbear661]

If only that were the whole truth, I loved Lemmy, too, but apparently he did have a child that he not only denied, but was an asshole to, iirc.

[@codypothier3744]

​@dolphinbear661 Who, his son Paul? If that's who you're referring to then I don't think your statement is very accurate.

[@yommmrr]

@codypothier3744 yeah I was thinking the same, from the doco they seemed to be good.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

while praising satan...

[@yommmrr]

@davehughesfarm7983 lol tell me you know nothing about lemmy without telling me.

[@jasondikowski3744]

Absolutely a great interview.

[@stevenforrest2699]

Love, Neal!!!!Awesome stand-up as well!

[@nickcarter4006]

To have that moment with Hunter, where game recognizes game, he handed you the stash and you knew what it was, to have that damn moment with Hunter, and to be Johnny Knoxville of all people and still be scared shitless of it, that's powerful. He's one of my all time guiding stars but a big part of it is not falling into the traps he did, the ones I haven't found yet at least.

[@ordinarypete]

2:10 Sad. Hunter was right, all his friends were dead and these were all “stars” doing a ritual. Can tell.

[@ph-vf5hx]

No disrespect but you know nothing and never met any of these people let alone spend time with them

[@rodneyp9590]

This dude is kinda cool. He let me stay in his cabin once. Most celebrities are turds and do things for selfish reasons. If hunter said it it was probably true. Wasn’t none of those people his friend

[@30yearsoldiam1]

That's every human as they age...

[@TheGoldenCapstone]

​@@ph-vf5hx Neither do you but you're speaking as if you give them the benefit of the doubt.

[@geverniveup]

Definitely one of a kind human being but it’s not sexy, romantic, or admirable to mirror your behavior of people like him. My dad was exactly the same way. One of a kind but absolutely out of control of his impulses. When you’re young…sure…go for it and make the mistakes but when you’re in your 40’s and 50’s it’s just sad. The true rockstars are the ones that display kindness and gratitude for the things and people in their lives. It’s the small moments in between that matter

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Dont let your heroes change you, change your view of them. I became hunter when i was young and that landed me in plenty of trouble.

[@daydreamerprod]

Really respect the human empathy and philosophical take on "the life", its turmoils and downfalls. thx for the depths NB-

[@cpgdallas]

Brilliant interview. Sobering,

[@greatestytcommentator]

Indeed!

[@ronfroehlich4697]

Not a word I associate with Hunter S. Thompson

[@m.hreels9822]

Well, that’s pretty surreal. I had no idea Johnny Knoxville got to meet Hunter S. Thompson so close to his passing. I don't know if it’s just me, but Johnny Knoxville really sounds like he’s either a lot older now and much more mellow, or there’s something else about his personality that is completely different from his usual persona. He just seems a lot more chill now.

[@CHR1SUND4Y]

The man got his balls cut off in a motorcycle stunt

[@jrlakin370]

At about 14 to 15, I discovered Jim Morrison and was obsessed with Billy the Kid. These guys became my hero’s. What followed was a 20 year exponential entropic spiral of self destruction! Basically a 20 year party. I’m now nearly 50 and have been clean, happy and healthy for years. Definitely watch who become your hero’s!

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Good on you..'I gotta keep rocking while I still can got a 2 pack habit and a motel tan'. ~

[@billfussman8859]

Well, everything, and I mean everything, has a price, .,.....so you can't cry when you get the bill.

[@muziktrkr]

I think Jim had a childhood trauma that tied in with being a Navy brat, moving base to base with dad out of deployment a lot, things maybe his mom knew but his siblings didn’t.

[@MFKR696]

The issue here is not with "problematic" heroes. Idolize who you like (in moderation, ofc). The problem is that you should never *meet* your heroes. You will always be disappointed. They'll never measure up to the pedestal you have them placed on in your head.

[@bigpanda6787]

I’m glad I never got mean or bad while on drugs. It was always just crazy good times.

[@chronicwhisper]

Man hunter doesn’t give a fuck if your a fan tho he doesn’t want to be your hero. I got old and can’t live that lifestyle anymore and now I have no serotonin left either. What r u gonna do tho

[@yuzucrypt]

shout out to johnny knoxville for being real in his old age instead of turning into a completely patronizing mockery like steve-o.

[@intuitivesean443]

I was in the 82nd infantry and I saw hunter s Thompson speak at a college on a weekend he was drinking Jack while speaking it was a great moment

[@1chumley1]

You gotta have a little Hunter S. In you to make it in the eighty deuce! ATW!

[@Hans_Wermhat]

Also: Don't taze people unknowingly and they won't sue you.

[@buckfutter99]

He just lived his life the way he saw fit. He never tried to be a hero to anyone.

[@I8ITSK8N]

Hunter lived on his own terms and died on his own terms..

[@Beaconsea]

You really think suicide is on one's own terms?

[@I8ITSK8N]

…….Who pulled the trigger?…

[@nichobarton]

'I have been knowingly burning the candle at both ends and often finding that it gives a lovely light' -- Christopher Hitchens

[@rickylooez2388]

Remember, a candle that burns twice as bright, only burns half as long.

[@ilostmyipod1582]

Rest in peace to the man the myth the fuckin legend DR. Hunter S. Thompson! You are greatly missed!

[@paryanindoeur]

Great clip. You've just earned a new sub. I was a Thompson fan, among many others of his era. Throwing off the bad part of their influence was a three-year excursion of hell for me, and I was in my mid-20s, so that was a big chunk of my life.

[@lysergicjimmy69]

This made me realize the subtle yet important difference between being a hero and being a fan if someone. I can appreciate and admire the lane he carved out for himself in life without the need to follow in his footsteps.

[@richardrofacale4557]

His secretary said he tried to pressure her to watch a snuff film with him. He was also named as the director of some such film.

[@totalradguy7739]

Yep.

[@kodahnarchived]

Hunter was a troll. There are various stories about him saying things to get a rise out of people.

[@rickylooez2388]

I’ve heard a story about that as well.

[@richardrofacale4557]

@@kodahnarchived This secretary said he had a snuff film was watching it and tried to pressure her into watching it and when she left the office he called her a coward from the window. She wasn't crying about it, she was just recounting a story for a documentary. But you say your man wouldn't do that?

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Thats right....And to why I would spit on his grave.

[@alguientienequehacerlo7086]

The rich and famous are the strangest, and often, the worst people you'll ever meet.

[@aaronarchermonster8539]

This format is great at getting new and deeper stories out of beloved celebrities.

[@JackieDaytona1776]

It's called a 'podcast'

[@ascendedchimp143]

This is awesome! thanks Neal

[@jayburd4225]

I love Johnny's work in the band the Descendents.

[@dontbesodense]

The product placement 1:00 reminds me of the Truman show

[@rowdyriter]

such a waynes workd moment 😂

[@dontbesodense]

@rowdyriter 😂 I love them movies. Great shout

[@beertheatreman7360]

It's not just the lifestyle he lived, getting to be of old age you will be quite lucky and in the minority to have your health and friends still alive and kicking. He wasn't that old when he died, but like Hemingway, he wasn't in the best of health and sure his drug abuse contributed to this. But he knew the consequences of his actions, obviously an intelligent man, he would be well aware of those who came before him, names that aren't as common in pop culture anymore, that followed a similar path. He lived life his way, and for the most part enjoyed every second of it. Would he have traded his life for a more cautious and sober one if he knew he would be taking his life at 67? I think he would have said he'd have taken his life much sooner if that was the case unfortunately. He was a man of conviction and despite the taboos of suicide and the real pain it causes to those you leave behind, he was a man of conviction to the very end. I would think he would hope you'd understand that and come to terms that he lived life his way, the only way he wanted to live and die.

[@richardlongmore9301]

Watched a documentary about him. Seemed like a bit of a jerk to be honest. He would sit in his house drunk playing with a loaded gun just to frighten his wife. Not cool at all

[@joseph-zoramcbride4029]

Excellent and insightful interview. I'm not a big jackass fan but I love HST, and appreciate the honesty of the sobering story.

[@robertvargas8890]

We studied Hunter S. Thompson in an American Pop Culture class and I have an extraordinary amount of respect for his work. Anyone who can get messed up to that level and make the Kentucky Derby interesting has some genius. However, the gonzo style of writing lends itself to becoming self-destructive. A cautionary tale not just for fans, but for anyone aspiring to follow in the footsteps of Thompson. Brilliant, genius, treasure...all words that aptly describe Hunter S. Thompson. Just be aware of what that lifestyle and that form of art can do to you.

[@Reitz86]

As I got older, my view of Hunter and a lot of the beat writers, were less interesting and more sad

[@30yearsoldiam1]

That's a flaw with you. Maybe don't expect so much out of other humans and you want default later to some bizarre sadness

[@adamivester9876]

Jude Law was one of the actors there reading from the book 👍

[@lamusica1592]

Yes, nice to see the deep side of Johnny, glad he got himself away from the dopamine rollacoaster🙏❤️🙏 .

[@glehman84]

Neal's eyebrows and "Yeah" when Johnny says "It never got to extreme" when it came to self-destruction, quite a selection here, Hunter was great but heroes or not, any pedestal by definition is going to compromise a straight-on, clear evaluation of who a person is and what we do well or worse to emulate, fantastic work, @nealbrennan & @johnnyknoxville

[@JeniOnly]

Seeing this dude old is crazy, we all thought he was going to die back in the day after all those injuries! God bless you Knoxville! ❤

[@robertjamesonmusic]

He’s not old he just has grey hair. He’s barely in his 50’s

[@mikewilson3581]

I'm fascinated by Norman Mailer. After reading a couple biographies about his life, I wonder how someone with such a high I.Q. and talents could be so flawed. At least he lived to be a very old man.

[@jamesmorgan8193]

Let's be honest. When you see someone drinking canned water, you move on to the next video.

[@codypothier3744]

I was trying to come to terms with how much of a twerp he was.

[@elcheeko8402]

There was a time. Wgen People Said the same thing about bottled water

[@chloesmith4065]

Kinda based ngl

[@heatrayzvideo3007]

R. I. P Dr. Gonzo

[@Finnish_guy]

I just hate interviewers who keep speaking over the guest and stopping him all the time. Modern day interviews are iften so horrible. Like people can't wait for 10 seconds without opening their mouth over to someone elsr...

[@DogPrinctz]

Mr. Knoxville, I appreciate who you are and who you’ve shown me on tv. Thank you😊