In this installment, I have the chance to catch up with Jackass’s Steve-O for a very enlightening and thought-provoking interview.

Luke: First off, congratulations on your success with Jackass 3D.

Steve-O: Thanks, man.

Luke: So you’ve been doing some work with PETA?

Steve-O: I work with PETA on a case by case basis. On Animal Abuse in the Circus, Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur, I also did an anti-dissection campaign for high school science classes. I used to work in the circus, so the animal abuse one hit home with me.

Steve-O goes on to explain that his battle with drug addiction contributed to his new lifestyle.

Steve-O: I’ve been vegan for over a year now. There was a lot of fear in my old life. Now I’m trying to replace fear with love. I’m happier if I’m more compassionate.

Luke: Was it a rough transition into veganism?

Steve-O: Not at all. There are actually lots of places you can get really good vegan food.

Luke: Did you quit smoking as well?

Steve-O: Oh yeah. In fact, in my old lifestyle it seemed like I was doing everything I could to get cancer. With drugs, smoking, drinking, and the types of stunts I did. I was going out of my way to be destructive.

Luke: So has your new life style changed your stunts?

Steve-O: Yeah. Like in Jackass 3D, I do a stunt where a buffalo is supposed to charge into my nuts. I didn’t want to do it since it involved animals, but I did it anyway. When it charged at me, I tried to block it with my hand. It ended up tearing the ligaments in three of my fingers.

Steve-O lifts his right hand and demonstrates that he is unable to bend his fingers back past a certain point.

Steve-O: Eight months later, it still hurts. I think that was Karma’s way of telling me to quit animal stunts.

Luke: So now, do you look back on your older material and cringe?

Steve-O: I definitely hold myself to a higher standard now.

Luke: When Jackass first began a decade ago, did any of you guys think it would become as big of a pop-culture phenomenon as it did?

Steve-O smiles as if he’s heard this question a thousand times.

Steve-O: No, you can’t predict something like that.

Check back soon for more updates from The DCP Beat, with Luke!

Posted on October 20th, 2010