Who is Naomi Nelson? Career, Family Life, and Divorce from Jackass Star Johnny Knoxville

Naomi Nelson is an American filmmaker, director, producer, and writer who has worked behind the scenes in Hollywood for over two decades. While many people know her as the ex-wife of Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, she has built her own career in the entertainment world. She worked on popular TV shows and made short documentary films. Naomi keeps her life private and stays away from social media. She focuses on her work and her two children. Let’s learn more about her life, career, and personal journey.
Quick Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Naomi Nelson |
| Date of Birth | August 20, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Knoxville, Tennessee, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Asian-American) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Profession | Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Writer |
| Known For | Carnivàle (2003), Fifth Star (2010), Reel Grrls (2009) |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Ex-Husband | Johnny Knoxville (married 2010, divorced 2024) |
| Children | Rocko Akira Clapp (born 2009), Arlo Lemoyne Yoko Clapp (born 2011) |
| Stepchild | Madison Clapp (born 1996) |
| Residence | Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2.5 – $4 million |
| Social Media | Not active on any platform |
Early Life and Education
Naomi Nelson was born on August 20, 1980, in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. She grew up in an Asian-American family before moving to California. Her family background remains private, but reports say she is the only child of her parents.
Naomi finished her high school education at a local school in California. After that, she went to a California university for higher studies. During her school years, she was a good student and liked by her teachers. Her education helped her build skills that she later used in her film career.
Career in the Entertainment Industry
Naomi Nelson started her career working behind the camera, not in front of it. Her first job in Hollywood was as a crew member and assistant producer on the HBO TV series Carnivàle from 2003 to 2005. This fantasy drama show was set during the Great Depression and became very popular. Naomi worked on all 12 episodes of the series and received praise for her hard work.
In 2009, she worked with Reel Grrls, a nonprofit group in Seattle that teaches filmmaking to teenage girls. She helped create short documentary films with this organization. Then in 2010, Naomi directed, wrote, and appeared in her own documentary called Fifth Star. This 10-minute short film tells the story of how women got the right to vote in Washington State. The documentary includes interviews with public officials and interesting facts from history. This project showed that Naomi was not just a crew member but also a talented filmmaker and director.
Relationship with Johnny Knoxville

Naomi Nelson and Johnny Knoxville started dating around 2007 or 2008. At that time, Knoxville was going through a divorce from his first wife, Melanie Lynn Cates. The two had been together for about two years when they announced some big news in August 2009. They told the world that they were expecting their first child together.
Knoxville, whose real name is Philip John Clapp, shared his happiness on the Jackass website. He said they were very excited about becoming parents. They got engaged on September 23, 2010, and married just two days later on September 24, 2010. The couple seemed very happy together and often appeared at red carpet events. They went to movie premieres, charity events, and award shows as a couple for many years.
Marriage and Family Life
Naomi and Johnny Knoxville welcomed their first child, a son named Rocko Akira Clapp, on December 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. Their daughter, Arlo Lemoyne Yoko Clapp, was born on October 6, 2011. The family lived in a beautiful house in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. Johnny bought this home in March 2005 for about $1.5 million.
Naomi also became a stepmother to Madison Clapp, Johnny’s daughter from his first marriage. The family attended many events together, including Disney movie premieres and charity galas. Naomi focused on raising her children while continuing her work in film. She stayed away from the spotlight and let her husband be the public face of the family. The couple supported various charities, especially Baby2Baby, which helps children in need.
The Divorce from Johnny Knoxville
After nearly 12 years of marriage, Johnny Knoxville filed for divorce from Naomi Nelson in June 2022. He listed their date of separation as September 4, 2021, which was their 11th wedding anniversary. The reason given for the split was “irreconcilable differences.”
The divorce took over two years to finalize. During this time, both parents worked out agreements about their children and property. Naomi asked for primary physical custody of Rocko and Arlo, while Johnny wanted joint custody. The divorce became official on August 9, 2024. According to court documents, they made a written agreement about property, child custody, and support. The specific details were kept private. After the divorce, Naomi continues to live a quiet life and focuses on raising her two children.
Net Worth and Assets
Naomi Nelson has an estimated net worth of between $2.5 million and $4 million. Her money comes from her work as a filmmaker, director, and producer in Hollywood. She has worked on TV shows and documentary films over the years.
Her ex-husband, Johnny Knoxville, has a much larger net worth of about $75 million. During their marriage, the couple owned a house in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, which cost $1.5 million. They also had an apartment in Daytona Beach, Florida, worth about $1.8 million. The details of how they divided their property in the divorce remain private.
Life Away from the Spotlight
Unlike many celebrity spouses, Naomi Nelson does not use social media. She has no Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or any other public accounts. She prefers to keep her life private and stay out of the public eye. This is very different from her ex-husband, who is active on social media and shares updates with his fans.
Naomi enjoys reading books, traveling, and watching movies. She has Japanese influences in her life, which you can see in her children’s middle names (Akira and Yoko). She lives a quiet life in Los Angeles and focuses on being a good mother. Even after her divorce from a famous celebrity, she has kept her dignity and stayed away from drama. This private nature has made her respected by those who follow Hollywood news.
Conclusion
Naomi Nelson is more than just the ex-wife of a famous TV star. She is a talented filmmaker who has worked hard behind the scenes in Hollywood. From her early work on HBO’s Carnivàle to directing her own documentary, she has shown her creative skills. Her marriage to Johnny Knoxville lasted nearly 12 years and gave her two wonderful children. After their divorce in 2024, Naomi continues to live a private and peaceful life. She remains a devoted mother who puts her family first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Naomi Nelson?
Naomi Nelson is an American filmmaker, director, and producer. She is best known for her work on the HBO series Carnivàle and the documentary Fifth Star. She was also married to Jackass star Johnny Knoxville for nearly 12 years.
2. When did Naomi Nelson and Johnny Knoxville get divorced?
Johnny Knoxville filed for divorce in June 2022. The divorce became final on August 9, 2024, after more than two years of legal proceedings. They had been separated since September 2021.
3. How many children does Naomi Nelson have?
Naomi Nelson has two children with Johnny Knoxville: a son named Rocko Akira Clapp (born December 2009) and a daughter named Arlo Lemoyne Yoko Clapp (born October 2011). She is also a stepmother to Madison Clapp.
4. What is Naomi Nelson’s net worth?
Naomi Nelson has an estimated net worth of $2.5 million to $4 million. Her wealth comes from her work in the entertainment industry as a filmmaker and producer.
5. Is Naomi Nelson on social media?
No, Naomi Nelson does not have any public social media accounts. She prefers to keep her life private and stays away from platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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