Melanie Lynn Clapp: What Happened to Johnny Knoxville’s Ex-Wife?

When you hear the name Melanie Lynn Clapp, you might think of her as Johnny Knoxville’s ex-wife. But there’s so much more to her story. She’s not just someone who was married to a famous stuntman — she’s a creative, private, and strong woman who quietly built a life of her own.

In this article, we’ll walk through who Melanie Lynn Clapp is, how she met Johnny Knoxville, what their marriage was like, why they split, and what she’s doing now. We’ll also talk about her work, her daughter, and how she chose to live a quiet life after being in the spotlight.

Melanie Lynn Clapp Quick Bio

Melanie Lynn Clapp’s Early Life

Melanie Lynn Clapp was born in Austin, Texas, in 1964. She has always lived a private and peaceful life, so not much is known about her childhood. But what we do know is that she grew up with a love for art, design, and beautiful things.

Even before she met anyone famous, Melanie had her own dreams. She was drawn to creative work and wanted to do something that made the world feel a little nicer and more stylish.

Her love for fashion and home design would later help her build a career. But at this point, she was just a young woman from Texas with big dreams and a quiet heart.

How Melanie Met Johnny Knoxville

Melanie met Johnny Knoxville in the early 1990s when she moved to Los Angeles. At that time, Johnny — whose real name is Philip John Clapp — wasn’t famous yet. He was just a struggling actor trying to get his foot in the door.

Their meeting wasn’t a Hollywood story. It was real and simple. They liked each other, and things moved fast. Sometimes, two people just connect — and that’s what happened with Melanie and Johnny.

Even though Johnny didn’t have a big name yet, Melanie believed in him. She stood by him through his early days, even before Jackass made him a star.

Melanie Lynn Clapp’s Vegas Wedding

On May 15, 1995, Melanie and Johnny got married in Las Vegas. They chose the famous Elvis Chapel, and it was a quick and simple wedding.

Why such a small wedding? Well, Johnny later admitted something funny — he lost their wedding money gambling. So instead of a big party, they kept it small and sweet. Even though it wasn’t a dream wedding, they were happy to start their life together.

At that time, Johnny was just starting out in the entertainment world. Melanie didn’t marry a celebrity. She married a man she loved and supported him through his rise to fame.

Life with Johnny Knoxville

When Johnny Knoxville became famous for his wild stunts on Jackass, everything changed. He was suddenly on TV, in movies, and doing crazy things that made people laugh — and sometimes cringe.

But being the wife of someone in the spotlight isn’t always easy. Melanie didn’t enjoy the fame. She liked her quiet life, and the Hollywood world wasn’t really for her.

Still, she stayed strong. She supported Johnny behind the scenes while raising their daughter. Melanie never tried to take the spotlight. She stayed calm, steady, and focused on her family.

Melanie Lynn Clapp Becomes a Mom

In January 1996, Melanie and Johnny welcomed their daughter, Madison Tatiana Clapp. Becoming a mom changed Melanie’s life in the best way.

She was a loving and caring mother who made sure Madison had a safe and happy childhood. Even while Johnny was busy with filming and traveling, Melanie was there every day — guiding, teaching, and loving their daughter.

Madison grew up to be creative, just like her mom. Today, she works as a writer, editor, and film producer, and shares sweet photos of both parents on her Instagram. It’s clear that the bond between Melanie and Madison is strong.

Why Melanie Lynn Clapp Got Divorced

After about 11 years of marriage, things started to fall apart. Fame, distance, and personal struggles made their relationship difficult. In 2006, Melanie and Johnny separated.

One year later, in 2007, Johnny filed for divorce. The process wasn’t quick — there were legal issues, support decisions, and parenting plans to figure out. But finally, in March 2008, the divorce was made official. The final terms were settled in July 2009.

The reason? Irreconcilable differences. That’s just a legal way of saying they couldn’t fix their problems anymore. Still, both of them agreed to do what was best for their daughter — and that meant staying kind and respectful as co-parents.

The Divorce Deal

When Melanie Lynn Clapp and Johnny Knoxville ended their marriage, there were many things to work out. It wasn’t just about going their separate ways — they had to decide how to care for their daughter and divide their money and belongings.

In the divorce, Melanie received joint custody of Madison. That means both parents agreed to take care of their daughter together. Johnny also agreed to pay $6,000 each month in child support to help with Madison’s needs.

But that’s not all. Melanie also got half of the money Johnny made from his hit shows and movies, like Jackass and The Dukes of Hazzard. She also received a fair share of their bank accounts. It was a long and stressful process, but in the end, everything was settled in a fair way.

Melanie Lynn Clapp’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce was finalized, Melanie Lynn Clapp stepped away from the spotlight. She didn’t want fame or attention. Instead, she focused on raising her daughter and building a quiet, peaceful life.

She also chose to stay single. There have been no public reports of her dating or remarrying. Unlike many people who chase headlines, Melanie kept things calm. She didn’t talk to the media, post about her private life, or try to stay in the public eye.

Even after the split, Melanie and Johnny worked together as parents. They showed respect for each other for the sake of Madison. That says a lot about Melanie’s kind and strong nature.

Melanie Lynn Clapp’s Career in Design

Before and during her marriage, Melanie Lynn Clapp worked as a fashion and jewelry designer. She had a creative eye and worked with well-known companies like Warner Bros and Urban Outfitters in the 1990s.

But later, she decided to try something new — interior design. Instead of clothes, she started designing beautiful spaces. She helped turn houses into cozy and stylish homes. And she was good at it!

Melanie used her design talent to create a peaceful and happy career for herself. Her love for color, texture, and detail helped her succeed in this new path.

Melanie didn’t just work for others. She started her own business called Side Street Home, located in Austin, Texas.

This shop is filled with lovely things for the home — like custom furniture, rugs, pillows, lighting, and vintage items. Everything is made or chosen with care. Her shop is known for its unique style and small-batch design pieces.

Her work has even been featured in the AIA Austin tour and Tribeza Interior Design Tour, which are well-known in the design world. That shows how much people appreciate Melanie’s creative touch.

Where Is Melanie Lynn Clapp Now?

As of 2025, Melanie Lynn Clapp lives in Austin, Texas. She’s still running her business and spending time with her daughter, Madison. She doesn’t share much online and keeps her life very private.

She enjoys her work, her family, and her peaceful surroundings. Even though she was once married to a famous star, she never let that define who she is. Melanie found happiness in her own way — through her work, her daughter, and a simple life.

You won’t find her doing interviews or chasing fame. Instead, you’ll find her doing what she loves most — designing beautiful spaces and living quietly, with love and purpose.

Final Thoughts

Melanie Lynn Clapp may have started as Johnny Knoxville’s wife, but her story is much more than that. She’s a strong, talented woman who chose a quiet life instead of the spotlight.

After her marriage ended, she didn’t fall apart. She built a career, raised a wonderful daughter, and created a life that feels just right for her. Her journey shows us that you don’t need fame or attention to be happy or successful.

Today, Melanie Lynn Clapp is a designer, a businesswoman, and a proud mom. And that, truly, is something to admire.

(FAQs)

How old is Melanie Lynn Clapp, and when is her birthday?

Melanie Lynn Clapp was born in 1964, so she is about 61 years old in 2025. The surprising part? Her birthday is on October 31 — Halloween!

Why did Melanie Lynn Clapp and Johnny Knoxville get divorced?

They split because they had too many problems and couldn’t fix them. The shocking part is that the divorce took almost 3 years to finish, even though they had separated way earlier.

Is Melanie Lynn Clapp related to Jessica Simpson?

No, she is not related to Jessica Simpson at all. Some people think so, but it’s just a mix-up. They have nothing to do with each other.

What is Melanie Lynn Clapp’s net worth in 2025?

She is worth about $500,000. But here’s the surprise — she also got half the money from Johnny’s shows and movies, like Jackass and The Dukes of Hazzard.

Where does Melanie Lynn Clapp live now? Did she marry again?

Melanie lives a quiet life in Austin, Texas. She never got married again, and she likes to stay away from the spotlight.