Who knew that one of the biggest “Jackasses” in America could make such a big splash and dent in the celebrity tabloids? Johnny Knoxville, hailed as the creator of the MTV hit series, “Jackass,” crept quickly into the celebrity magazines this past summer when rumors surfaced that he and Dukes of Hazzard co-star Jessica Simpson could be having a fling. As if those rumors were not enough though, the stories only got deeper due to the fact that both parties are married – Simpson to 98 Degrees crooner Nick Lachey and Knoxville with a wife and infant at home. Though both reportedly denied the rumors, their close friendship during the filming of the flick only added fuel to the fire.

Even before rumors of the Knoxville and Simpson fling started to surface, Simpson and hubby Lachey were already reportedly going through some tough times in their marriage. Sources were telling magazines that the two could be on the outs, even though they had finally escaped the limelight cast upon them by starring in the MTV series The Newlyweds. So the recent Knoxville rumors have only added more complications into the story. Though Simpson and Knoxville have both denied any affair took place, others are saying that Knoxville may have been warned by Lachey to keep away from his wife.

Though people may never know the truth about Simpson and Knoxville’s “friendship,” it should come as no surprised to anyone that Knoxville’s celebrity has risen since the rumors surfaced. Though he has publicly asked the tabloids to stop creating false stories about him, he also admits to being a fan of the rags – just not when they involved his name into the mix, apparently. Did Knoxville and Simpson maintain a relationship outside of the platonic realm? This answer, coupled with the marriage trouble with Simpson and Lachey, only adds to the mystique and rumors surrounding Johnny Knoxville. Only a “Jackass” could have managed to do this.