Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel was an American daredevil who rose to fame in the 1970s with his astonishing motorcycle stunts.
(1938-2007)
Who Was Evel Knievel? Evel Knievel was an iconic American daredevil known for his daring motorcycle jumps, totaling over 75 ramp-to-ramp attempts. His most notable feats include leaping over the fountain at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, jumping over buses at London’s Wembley Stadium, and an attempted leap across the Snake River Canyon in a steam-powered vehicle. Despite his humble and turbulent beginnings, Knievel became an international sensation in the 1970s for his breathtaking stunts.
Early Life Born Robert Craig Knievel Jr. on October 17, 1938, in the copper-mining town of Butte, Montana, Knievel faced limited prospects as a young man, with most locals working in mines, town jobs, or on nearby ranches. Despite being a standout athlete in track, field, and hockey, Knievel struggled academically. After his parents divorced, he was raised by his grandparents. He dropped out of high school and bounced between various odd jobs, often finding himself in trouble with the law for theft and other misdemeanors. His antics included attempting wheelies with a construction company earth mover, resulting in a town-wide blackout.
After joining the U.S. Army in the 1950s and successfully completing over 30 jumps in paratrooper school, Knievel returned to civilian life, dabbling in semi-pro hockey and motorcycle racing. Persistent injuries forced him to retire from racing, but his passion for motorcycles and stunts remained.
Knievel’s nickname originated from a 1956 police chase following a motorcycle theft, which landed him in jail. The jailer, known for giving inmates nicknames, called Knievel “Evil Knievel,” a moniker he later embraced and legally changed to Evel Knievel.
Evel Knievel’s Stunts By 1966, Knievel had relocated to Moses Lake, Washington, where he worked at a motorcycle shop. To attract business, he announced a stunt involving a 40-foot jump over parked cars and a box of rattlesnakes, finishing past a caged cougar. Although he landed on the rattlesnakes, the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction marked the start of his career as a daredevil.
During the 1960s, as America pursued lunar exploration, Knievel saw an opportunity to capture public attention. He formed a stunt group, Evel Knievel’s Motorcycle Daredevils, performing daring acts at county fairs. Despite numerous crashes and injuries, Knievel’s stunts grew in scale and complexity.
Caesar’s Palace While in Las Vegas, Knievel set his sights on the fountains at Caesars Palace. Through a combination of boldness and deception, he secured permission from the casino’s CEO to attempt the jump. On December 31, 1967, Knievel took off nearly perfectly but crashed upon landing, suffering severe injuries and a 29-day coma. This dramatic stunt solidified his fame.
Throughout the 1970s, Knievel continued to push the limits with longer jumps and more challenging obstacles, often crashing and sustaining significant injuries. His televised stunts on ABC’s Wide World of Sports made him a household name and a hero to many young fans. Clad in his star-spangled white jumpsuit, Knievel marketed his image through toys and appeared in various safety and anti-drug campaigns, earning the nickname “Crash Knievel” for his frequent accidents.
Snake River Canyon Denied permission to jump the Grand Canyon, Knievel turned to Idaho’s Snake River Canyon. After extensive planning and testing, he attempted the jump on September 8, 1974, in a steam-powered vehicle called the Skycycle. The parachutes deployed prematurely, causing the Skycycle to drift back to the same side of the canyon, but Knievel’s legend was cemented in American culture.
Wembley Stadium On May 26, 1975, Knievel attempted to jump 13 buses at Wembley Stadium in London. Although he cleared the buses, a hard landing caused a crash that broke his back. Despite the injuries, Knievel walked to the podium to announce his retirement, only to return for one more successful jump over 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island in Ohio on October 25, 1975.
Final Years and Death Knievel’s later years were marked by legal and personal challenges. Convicted of assault in 1977, he lost many sponsorships and declared bankruptcy in 1981. He also faced health issues, including diabetes, liver problems, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Knievel died on November 30, 2007, in Clearwater, Florida, just days after settling a lawsuit with rapper Kanye West over the use of his image. In his final interview with Maxim Magazine, Knievel reflected on his career, acknowledging the fear he faced but expressing pride in his achievements.
Son Knievel’s legacy continued through his son, Robbie Knievel, who became a professional stuntman, touring with his father from the age of 12.
Pastrana’s Re-Creation On July 8, 2018, stuntman and motocross racer Travis Pastrana paid tribute to Knievel by recreating three of his famed jumps, including the successful jump over the Caesar’s Palace fountain, as part of History’s Evel Live event.
Quick Facts
- Birth Year: 1938
- Birth Date: October 17, 1938
- Birth State: Montana
- Birth City: Butte
- Birth Country: United States
- Gender: Male
- Best Known For: Evel Knievel was an American daredevil who became an icon in the 1970s for his incredible motorcycle stunts.
- Industries: Sports
- Astrological Sign: Libra
- Death Year: 2007
- Death Date: November 30, 2007
- Death State: Florida
- Death City: Clearwater
- Death Country: United States
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