Hollywood’s ultimate stunt king, Johnny Knoxville, is back in the spotlight as the fearless host of Fear Factor: House of Fear, FOX’s high-octane 2026 revival that premiered with a special advance episode on January 11 (regular Wednesdays at 9 PM ET/PT).

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The show drops 14 strangers into a remote “House of Fear” for extreme stunts, gross challenges, and cutthroat social gameplay—all vying for a $200,000 grand prize. But while contestants battle bugs, heights, and betrayals, the real question buzzing in entertainment circles is: How much is Knoxville getting paid to lead this revival?

Exact figures from Knoxville’s contract with FOX and Endemol Shine North America remain under wraps—celebrity deals like this are notoriously secretive. However, industry insiders and Knoxville’s track record paint a lucrative picture. The 54-year-old Jackass co-creator and star boasts an estimated net worth of $50 million (per sources like Celebrity Net Worth, updated as of late 2025), built from blockbuster films, producing gigs, and his daredevil legacy.

For comparison, original Fear Factor host Joe Rogan reportedly pocketed around $100,000–$200,000 per episode during the show’s peak NBC run (2001–2006), raking in millions overall from the hit series that generated over $600 million for the network. Today’s reality TV landscape has evolved, with top hosts on major networks commanding $150,000–$500,000+ per episode for high-profile reboots, factoring in star power, ratings potential, and added perks like backend bonuses.

On FOX specifically, reality hosts and judges pull in big numbers for established hits. For example, Gordon Ramsay earns a reported $225,000 per episode as judge on MasterChef (a long-running FOX staple), while The Masked Singer host Nick Cannon is estimated at around $5 million per season (roughly $200,000–$300,000+ per episode depending on season length). Judges on that show, like Ken Jeong, reportedly make $1.25 million to $2.5 million per season.

Knoxville’s perfect fit—his wild humor, boundary-pushing persona, and massive Jackass fanbase—likely puts him in the upper tier. Entertainment estimates suggest his per-episode salary for Fear Factor: House of Fear lands in the $200,000–$400,000 range, potentially totaling $2–4 million for a standard 8–10 episode season. That’s on top of possible incentives tied to viewership (the premiere got a prime NFL Wild Card lead-in boost) or producing credits that could sweeten the deal further.

FOX execs have hyped Knoxville as the “champion of fearless entertainment,” and his involvement has already generated major buzz. From once joking that NBC “owed” the Jackass crew for inspiring Fear Factor, to now cashing in on the franchise, Knoxville’s hosting gig feels like poetic justice—and a serious payday.

As the reboot unfolds on FOX and streams next-day on Hulu, early ratings will determine if this becomes a long-term win. One thing’s clear: For a guy who built his empire on broken bones and big laughs, hosting Fear Factor is proving once again that fear pays very well.