‘Jackass Forever’: Who Is Rachel Wolfson? Why It’s a Big Deal She’s the First Woman in the Crew
Jackass Forever reunites Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren, and Preston Lacy from the original series. However, the film also adds some new blood into the comedy stunt and prank franchise. Jackass Forever introduces Rachel Wolfson as the first woman in the crew, and that’s a significant achievement worth celebrating.
Who is ‘Jackass Forever’ newcomer Rachel Wolfson?
Jackass Forever cast member Wolfson is a natural comedian. She also runs a YouTube channel called The Budd, which covers all things weed-related. The videos range from how to blow smoke rings to tips on how to hide the instantly recognizable scent.
Wolfson is also a mental health advocate. She speaks on the topic regularly during interviews and on her podcast, Chronic Relief. “I really wanted to find a way to connect with people over mental health and talk about the hard stuff,” Wolfson said to Forbes. “Comedians are really good at opening up and finding the funny in life’s darkest moments. I grabbed my favorite comedians and started recording.”
Wolfson explained in an interview with Uproxx that Knoxville sent her a direct message on Instagram. He thought her content was funny and wanted to chat with her on the phone. However, he didn’t specify what it was about. Knoxville invited Wolfson to join a Jackass special, which would later become Jackass Forever.
Rachel Wolfson being the first woman in the ‘Jackass’ crew is a huge deal
Jackass had a huge following originating from the reality comedy television series. The show appealed to audiences around the world for its absurd, yet hilarious stunts and pranks. However, Jackass Forever adding Wolfson as the first female crew member is a big step forward, as the show only depicted male daredevils.
Other feature comedies, such as Bridesmaids, display how women can be just as raunchy, filthy, and hilarious as their male co-stars. Jackass Forever gives Wolfson the opportunity to lick a taser and get stung in the face by a scorpion. She never backs down from a stunt, and the movie never makes her out to be anything less than a true part of the crew. She’s a fantastic addition to the cast, delivering big laughs and great reactions.
Jackass Forever emphasizes a warning that professionals are performing these stunts and for audiences to not try them at home. But that doesn’t mean it won’t make a difference in the audience’s perspectives. Wolfson’s presence in a male-dominated cast involving what is typically associated with a male-centric topic is progress. She also opens the door for further inclusion with future Jackass cast members. Hopefully, this is only the beginning of Wolfson’s screen presence.
The future of stunts
Jackass Forever is a passing of the torch. There’s no telling whether this will be their final venture in this franchise, but they won’t be able to keep pushing the envelope forever. Including new blood is a wise decision to keep the Jackass series alive while also appealing to a new generation.
Many audiences around the world are nostalgic for watching Knoxville and Steve-O on the original television series. Now, Jasper, Wolfson, Sean “Poopies” McInerney, Zach Holmes, and Eric Manaka might have that opportunity to provide that for the next generation.
Jackass Forever is now exclusively playing in theaters.
