Pontius was born in Pasadena, California. He grew up skateboarding at his family's ranch in San Luis Obispo, California. He first appeared in the second issue of Big Brother Magazine riding a skateboard down a handrail. Issue #8 featured an interview with Pontius and saw his first public appearance in the nude, when he was still under the legal age of 18. In Issue #9, he wrote an article titled "18 Ways to be an Asshole".
Pontius worked for Big Brother until 1999, when he was fired for not showing up for a tour without notice.[citation needed] After parting ways with Big Brother, he had several minor jobs, including Jamba Juice and working as a temp for Charles Schwab. After several months, he returned to the magazine with an article titled, "Life After Big Brother", telling of his misadventures in the 9 to 5 world. He joined Big Brother editor Jeff Tremaine and contributor Johnny Knoxville with the Jackass crew in 2000. After Jackass ended, he starred in Wildboyz on MTV and later MTV2 with Jackass alumnus Steve-O.
Pontius' trademark style consists of either a male pouch thong and a bow tie, or a headband and belt (being otherwise nude), which he attributes to a favorite pastime as a kid where he and his brother would play "naked natives," scaring houseguests wearing nothing but a belt. Pontius has used the naked native motif to run alongside animals in Wildboyz; one of the photos also hangs in director Jeff Tremaine's office, directly behind his desk. It was put up by Pontius himself, during the filming of the first Jackass film in 2002.
He has been married to Claire Nolan since October 29, 2004. He is a vegetarian.
TV and film appearances
TV
* Jackass (MTV, 2000–2002)
* Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover (MTV Special, 2008)
* Wildboyz (MTV, 2003–2006)
* Totally Busted (Playboy TV, 2004–2006)
* Steve-O: Demise and Rise (MTV Special, 2009)
Movies
* Jackass: The Movie (2002)
* Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
* Jackass Number Two (2006)
* Jackass 2.5 (2007)
* What We Do Is Secret (2007)
* National Lampoon's TV: The Movie (2007)
* The Dudesons Movie (2008)
* Somewhere (2010)
* Jackass 3D (2010)
DVDs
* Don't Try This At Home - The Steve-O Video Vol. 1 (2001)
* Don't Try This At Home - The Steve-O Video Vol. 2: The Tour (2002)
* Steve-O: Out on Bail (2003) (aka Don't Try This At Home - The Steve-O Video Vol. 3: Out on Bail)
