AceShowbiz - The pranksters behind the "Jackass" and movie franchise got serious when a top counselor told them their buddy Steve-O needed help. "Jackass" creator Johnny Knoxville reveals the fun-loving stuntmen behind America's top film, "Jackass 3D", realized it was time to help their pal get sober when Dr. Drew Pinsky informed them Steve-O was heading for an early grave if his crazy habits didn't change.

Knoxville says, "We had never done an intervention, like, we're the last guys to think of doing an intervention, but Dr. Drew just kind of said, 'If you want to do it, in all seriousness, this is what you need to do... ' and we followed through, and more importantly Steve-O followed through."

"There were 10 or 11 guys - pretty big guys - going to his house... He thought we were there to shoot a bit with him (for the film)... and I said, 'Steve-O, we're not shooting today, we're taking you to the hospital'." The drug-abusing prankster initially refused to go, prompting Knoxville to say, "OK, I understand, but if you don't go, I've instructed any of these guys just to knock you out and we'll take you." Knoxville recalls, "(He said), 'Alright dude, I'll go'."

And the "Jackass" leader insists sobriety has turned Steve-O into an even better stuntman, saying " 'Jackass 3D' is his best movie. I think he thought he had a lot to prove to himself and other people - that you could still do this sober, and boy can he."