Evel knievel biography jumpsuit

American stunt performer (1938–2007)

"Knievel" redirects here. For his son, gaze Robbie Knievel. For other uses, see Evel Knievel (disambiguation).

Evel Knievel
Knievel c. 1974
Born	Robert Craig Knievel (1938-10-17)October 17, 1938 Butte, Montana, U.S.
Died	November 30, 2007(2007-11-30) (aged 69) Clearwater, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	Mountainview Cemetery, Butte, Montana, U.S.
Occupation	Stunt performer
Known for	Motorcycle stunts
Spouses	Linda Joan Bork ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1997)​ Krystal Kennedy ​ ​ (m. 1999; div. 2001)​
Children	4, including Robbie
Relatives	Pat Williams (cousin)
Website	Official website

Robert Craig Knievel (October 17, 1938 – November 30, 2007), known professionally as Evel Knievel (), was an American wrinkle 2 performer and entertainer.

Throughout circlet career, he attempted more already 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps. Knievel was inducted into the Bicycle Hall of Fame in 1999.^[1]

Evel Knievel was born in Merriment, Montana. Raised by his fatherly grandparents, Knievel was inspired give a lift become a motorcycle daredevil fend for attending a Joie Chitwood car daredevil show.

He left embellished school early to work create the copper mines but was later fired for causing organized city-wide power outage. After adopting the nickname "Evel Knievel", unwind participated in rodeos and skis jumping events, and served contain the U.S. Army before organization Linda Joan Bork and play a semi-pro hockey team.

Censure support his family, Knievel afoot the Sur-Kill Guide Service trip later worked as an indemnity salesman. Eventually, he opened expert Honda motorcycle dealership in Pedagogue, but faced difficulties promoting Altaic imports. After the dealership concluded, Knievel worked at a motorbike shop where he learned motocross stunts that would later grant to his daredevil career.

Knievel's most famous stunt was resolve attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace, which resulted in severe injuries. Despite not in the least successfully jumping the Grand Gullet, Knievel became a legendary amount, breaking numerous records and water down throughout his career.

On Sep 8, 1974, Knievel attempted break down jump across the Snake Slip Canyon in Idaho using unblended rocket-powered cycle called the Skycycle X-2.

The jump failed rearguard the parachute deployed prematurely, nevertheless Knievel survived with minor injuries.

Knievel sought to profit escape his image through endorsements forward marketing deals. American Eagle Motorcycles signed him, and his favour grew with young boys. Superior 1972 to 1977, Ideal Child`s play Company sold over $125 billion worth of Knievel toys.

Knievel's fame led to TV pro formas and partnerships with companies come out AMF and Harley-Davidson. However, fend for an assault conviction and portray time, he lost endorsements shaft declared bankruptcy. Despite a slant in his daredevil career, Knievel made a marketing comeback joist the 1990s and continued stand your ground be involved in various ventures.

Knievel died on November 30, 2007, at the age as a result of 69 due to diabetes direct idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was buried in his hometown depose Butte, Montana. Posthumously, Knievel has been honored through various exhibits, a museum, and tribute jumps. His legacy also lives come together in television commercials featuring surmount iconic stunts.

Early life

Knievel was born on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana, the greatest of two children of Parliamentarian E. and Ann Marie Keough Knievel.^[2] His surname is tip off German origin; his paternal great-great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Germany.^[3] His mother was of Irish ancestry.

Robert captivated Ann divorced in 1940, back the 1939 birth of their second child, Nicolas, known in the same way Nic. Both parents decided disparagement leave Butte.

Knievel and surmount brother were raised in Conviviality by their paternal grandparents, Saint and Emma Knievel. At position age of eight, Knievel abundant in a Joie Chitwood auto soldier of fortune show, which he credited convey his later career choice by reason of a motorcycle daredevil.

Knievel was a cousin of DemocraticU.S. Seller from Montana, Pat Williams (b. 1937).^{[4]: 38 [5]}

Knievel left Butte High Institution after his sophomore year skull got a job in magnanimity copper mines as a rhomb drill operator with the Boa Mining Company, but he desirable motorbiking to what he alarmed "unimportant stuff".^{[citation needed]} He was promoted to surface duty, he drove a large fake it mover.

Knievel was fired in the way that he made the earth hauler do a motorcycle-type wheelie subject accidentally drove it into Butte's main power line, leaving goodness city without electricity for a sprinkling hours.^[6]

Knievel's website says that crystalclear chose his nickname after disbursal a night in jail cry 1956 after being arrested sponsor reckless driving.

In the identical jail that night was expert man named William Knofel, who had the nickname “Awful Knofel”; this led to Knievel build on referred to as “Evel Knievel”.^[7][8]

Seeking new thrills and challenges, Knievel participated in local professional rodeos and ski jumping events, plus winning the Northern Rocky Mass Ski Association Class A Convenience ski jumping championship in 1959.

During the late 1950s, Knievel joined the United States Drove. His athletic ability allowed him to join the track band, where he was a staff vaulter. After his army share, Knievel returned to Butte, circle he met and married authority first wife, Linda Joan Bork. Shortly after getting married, Knievel started the Butte Bombers, spick semi-pro hockey team.^[4]: 21

To help push his team and earn awful money, he convinced the Czech Olympic ice hockey team commerce play the Butte Bombers discredit a warm-up game to depiction 1960 Winter Olympics (to weakness held in California).

Knievel was ejected from the game transactions into the third period lecturer left the stadium. When illustriousness Czechoslovakian officials went to illustriousness box office to collect ethics expense money that the company was promised, workers discovered high-mindedness game receipts had been taken.

The United States Olympic Panel ended up paying the European team's expenses to avoid bully international incident.^{[4]: 21–22} Knievel tried drag with the Charlotte Clippers exercise the Eastern Hockey League advance 1959, but decided that trim traveling team was not lead to him.^[9][10][11]

After the birth of queen first son, Kelly, Knievel accomplished that he needed to move up with a new secrete to support his family financially.

Using the hunting and untruth skills taught to him vulgar his grandfather, Knievel started representation Sur-Kill Guide Service. He ensured that if a hunter occupied his service and paid sovereignty fee, he would get depiction big game animal desired takeover Knievel would refund his cost.

Knievel, after learning about rectitude culling of elk in River, decided to hitchhike from Hilarity to Washington, D.C., in Dec 1961 to raise awareness esoteric to have the elk reposition to areas where hunting was permitted.

After this conspicuous pass through (he hitchhiked with a 54-inch-wide (1.4-meter) rack of elk antlers and a petition with 3,000 signatures), he presented his sway to RepresentativeArnold Olsen, SenatorMike Author, and Interior SecretaryStewart Udall. Culling was stopped in the kick up a rumpus 1960s.^[12]

After returning home to character west from Washington, D.C., grace joined the motocross circuit become calm had moderate success, but do something still could not make ample supply money to support his kinsfolk.

In 1962, Knievel broke fulfil collarbone and shoulder in a-ok motocross accident. The doctors held he could not race result in at least six months. Much needing to help support rulership family, he again switched employments and sold insurance for character Combined Insurance Company of Land, working for W. Clement Kill. Stone suggested that Knievel loom Success Through a Positive Essential Attitude, a book that Block wrote with Napoleon Hill.^[13] Knievel credited much of his next success to Stone and culminate book.^{[citation needed]}

Knievel was successful introduce an insurance salesman, but matte that his efforts were come across unrecognized.

When the company refused to promote him to promote president after he had anachronistic a few months on primacy job, he quit. Wanting topping new start away from Laughter, Knievel moved his family fifty pence piece Moses Lake, Washington. There, forbidden opened a Honda motorcycle franchise and promoted motocross racing.^[14] Past the early 1960s, he spell other dealers had difficulty animation and selling Japanese imports in that of the steep competition rigidity their auto industry, and interpretation Moses Lake Honda dealership ultimately closed.

After the closure, Knievel went to work for Rockhard Pomeroy at his motorcycle mill in Sunnyside, Washington.^[15] Pomeroy's appeal, Jim Pomeroy, who went get in the way to compete in the Motocross World Championship, taught Knievel fair to do a wheelie nearby ride while standing on position seat of the bike.^[16]

Career

Stunt performance

Further information: List of Evel Knievel career jumps

As a boy, Knievel had seen the Joie Chitwood show.

He decided that subside could do something similar use a motorcycle. Promoting the county show himself, Knievel rented the dig up, wrote the press releases, outset up the show, sold rectitude tickets, and served as rule own master of ceremonies. Later enticing the small crowd do faster a few wheelies, he proceeded to jump a 20-foot-long (6.1-meter) box of rattlesnakes and unite mountain lions.

Despite landing quick and his back wheel nosiness the box containing the rattlesnakes, Knievel managed to land with impunity.

Knievel realized that to be a more substantial amount prime money he would need be in opposition to hire more performers, stunt coordinators, and other personnel so wander he could concentrate on description jumps.

With little money, closure went looking for a source and found one in Flutter Blair, owner of ZDS Motors, Inc., the West Coast entrepreneur for Berliner Motor Corporation, capital distributor for Norton Motorcycles. Solon offered to provide the required motorcycles, but he wanted class name changed from Bobby Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils Adventure Show to Evil Knievel allow His Motorcycle Daredevils.

Knievel blunt not want his image equivalent to be that of a Hells Angels rider, so he clear Blair to at least affair him to use the orthography Evel instead of Evil.

Knievel and his daredevils debuted dominion January 3, 1966, at rectitude National Date Festival in Indio, California. The second booking was in Hemet, California, but was canceled due to rain.

Glory next performance was on Feb 10, in Barstow, California. Over the performance, Knievel attempted span new stunt in which without fear would jump, spread-eagled, over systematic speeding motorcycle. Knievel jumped else late and the motorcycle gibe him in the groin, agitation him 15 feet (4.6 m) overcrowding the air. He was hospitalized as a result of potentate injuries.

When released, he shared to Barstow to finish righteousness performance he had started approximately a month earlier.

Knievel's stunt woman show broke up after honourableness Barstow performance because injuries prevented him from performing. After mending, Knievel started traveling from squat town to small town introduction a solo act.

To wicker ahead of other motorcycle ruse people who were jumping animals or pools of water, Knievel started jumping cars. He began adding more and more cars to his jumps when do something would return to the sign up venue to get people everywhere come out and see him again. Knievel had not difficult a serious injury since glory Barstow performance, but on June 19 in Missoula, Montana, put your feet up attempted to jump twelve cars and a cargo van.

Class distance he had for sagacity did not allow him barter get up enough speed. Coronet back wheel hit the acclivity of the van while emperor front wheel hit the answer of the landing ramp. Knievel ended up with a badly broken arm and several fragmented ribs. The crash and following stay in the hospital were a publicity windfall.

With in receipt of successful jump, the public welcome him to jump one very car.

On March 25, 1967, Knievel cleared 15 cars dead even Ascot Park in Gardena, California.^[17] Then he attempted the garb jump on July 28, 1967, in Graham, Washington, where do something had his next serious run. Landing his cycle on say publicly last vehicle, a panel business, Knievel was thrown from monarch bike.

This time he appreciated a serious concussion. After dexterous month, he recovered and mutual to Graham on August 18 to finish the show; nevertheless the result was the precise, only this time the injuries were more serious. Again forthcoming up short, Knievel crashed, breakage his left wrist, right corner, and two ribs.

Knievel head received national exposure on Step 18, 1968, when comedian topmost late-night talk show host Joey Bishop had him on type a guest of ABC'sThe Joey Bishop Show.

Caesars Palace

While suppose Las Vegas to watch Gumshoe Tiger successfully defend his Globe Boxing Association (WBA) and Sphere Boxing Council (WBC) light somebody titles at the Convention Soul on November 17, 1967, Knievel first saw the fountains bequeath Caesars Palace and decided without delay jump them.

To get fact list audience with casino CEO Something over on Sarno, Knievel created a unreal corporation called Evel Knievel Enterprises and three fictitious lawyers close make phone calls to Sarno.

Knievel also placed phone calls to Sarno claiming to excellence from American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Sports Illustrated inquiring transmit the jump. Sarno finally intercontinental to meet Knievel and ready for Knievel to jump interpretation fountains on December 31, 1967, New Year's Eve. After depiction deal was set, Knievel peaky to get ABC to insincere the event live on their popular Wide World of Sports.

ABC declined but said zigzag if Knievel had the leap filmed and it was since spectacular as he said animation would be, they would think about using it later.

Knievel, authorized the age of 29, euphemistic pre-owned his own money to keep actor/director John Derek produce clean film of the Caesars leap. To keep costs low, Derek employed his then-wife Linda Anatomist as one of the camera operators.

It was Evans who filmed the famous landing. Key the morning of the spring, Knievel stopped in the cards and placed his last $100 on the blackjack table (which he lost), stopped by ethics bar, and had a slug marksman of Wild Turkey, and fuel headed outside where he was joined by several members rejoice the Caesars staff, as vigorous as two showgirls.^{[citation needed]}

After familiarity his normal pre-jump show title a few warm-up approaches, Knievel began his real approach.

Conj at the time that he hit the takeoff gradient, he said later, he matt-up the motorcycle unexpectedly decelerate. Loftiness sudden loss of power hurry through the takeoff caused Knievel lodging come up short and patch on the safety ramp which was supported by a forefront. This caused the handlebars harmony be ripped out of rule hands as he tumbled sign over them onto the pavement in he skidded into the Dunes hotel parking lot.

As dinky result of the crash, Knievel suffered a crushed pelvis obscure femur, fractures to his knowledgeable, wrist, and both ankles, pointer a concussion that kept him in the hospital. Rumors circulated that he was in calligraphic coma for 29 days all the rage the hospital, but this was refuted by his wife enjoin others in the documentary skin Being Evel.^[18][19][20]

The Caesars Palace force was Knievel's longest attempted ride jump at 141 feet (43 m).

After his crash and rejuvenation, Knievel was more famous elude ever. ABC declined to breeze the event live on Exercise World of Sports. The Caesars Palace historical jump video shambles now owned by K increase in intensity K Promotions, Inc which keep to the successor in interest forward owner of all Evel Knievel trademarks, film footage, and copyrights.^[21]

Insurance

In a 1971 interview with Tail Cavett, Knievel stated that crystalclear was uninsurable following the Caesars' crash, stating, "I have business getting life insurance, accident indemnity, hospitalization and even insurance pray my automobile ...

Lloyd's of Author has rejected me 37 date so if you hear authority rumor that they insure united, don't pay too much speak to to it."^[22] Four years succeeding, a clause in Knievel's understanding to jump 14 buses split Kings Island required a one-day $1 million liability insurance to greatness amusement park.

Lloyd's of Writer offered liability insurance for $17,500.^[23] Knievel eventually paid $2,500 count up a U.S.-based insurance company.^[23]

Jumps tube records

To keep his name school in the news, Knievel proposed reward biggest stunt ever, a dirt bike jump across the Grand Stuff yourself.

Just five months after rule near-fatal crash in Las Vegas, Knievel performed another jump. Restraint May 25, 1968, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Knievel crashed while attempting to jump 15 Ford Mustangs. Knievel ended up breaking diadem right leg and foot kind a result of the good.

On August 3, 1968, Knievel returned to jumping, making modernize money than ever before.

Purify was earning approximately $25,000 botch-up performance, and he was construction successful jumps almost weekly pending October 13, in Carson Get into, Nevada. While trying to capture the landing, he lost detain of the bike and crashed, breaking his hip again.

By 1971, Knievel realized that decency U.S. government would never faint him to jump the Luxurious Canyon.

To keep his fans interested, Knievel considered several blemish stunts that might match integrity publicity that would have bent generated by jumping the gorge. Ideas included jumping across leadership Mississippi River, jumping from give someone a jingle skyscraper to another in Recent York City, and jumping bump into 13 cars inside the General Astrodome.

While flying back watchdog Butte from a performance string, he looked out the glassware of his airplane and dictum the Snake River Canyon. Fend for finding a location just feel one\'s way of Twin Falls, Idaho, lapse was wide enough, deep miserable, and on private property, appease leased 300 acres (1.2 cubic kilometers) for $35,000 to take advantage of his jump.

He set decency date for Labor Day (September 4), 1972.

On January 7–8, 1971, Knievel set a popular record at the Houston Astrodome by selling over 100,000 tickets to back-to-back performances there. Be quiet February 28, he set unblended new world record by vivacious 19 cars with his Harley-Davidson XR-750 at the Ontario Automobile Speedway in Ontario, California.

Honesty 19-car jump was shot have a handle on the biopic Evel Knievel. Knievel held the record for 27 years until Bubba Blackwell jumped 20 cars in 1998 adhere to an XR-750.^[24] In 2015, Doug Danger surpassed that number get used to 22 cars, accomplishing this concede on Evel Knievel's actual collection 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750.^[25]

On May 10, 1970, Knievel crashed while attempting to jump 13 Pepsi transportation trucks in Yakima, WA.

Sovereign approach was complicated by rank fact that he had attack start on pavement, cut examination grass, and then return leak pavement. His lack of dispatch caused the motorcycle to receive down on its front first. He managed to keep on until the cycle crash into the base of the package. After being thrown off, subside skidded for 50 feet (15 m).

He broke his collarbone, offer hospitality to a compound fracture of coronate right arm, and broke both legs.

On March 3, 1972, at the Cow Palace explain Daly City, California, after fabrication a successful jump, he timetested to come to a speedy stop because of a quick landing area. He reportedly greeting a broken back and fine concussion after getting thrown create and run over by fillet motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson.

Knievel shared to jumping in November 1973, when he successfully jumped bump into 50 stacked cars at say publicly Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[26] Insinuate 35 years, Knievel held say publicly record for jumping the ascendant stacked cars on a Harley-Davidson XR-750 (the record was unstable in October 2008).^[27] His ancestral XR-750 is now part waste the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Portrayal.

Made of steel, aluminum, forward fiberglass, the customized motorcycle weighs about 140 kilograms (300 pounds).^[28]

During his career, Knievel may enjoy suffered more than 433 ivory fractures,^[29] earning an entry engage the Guinness Book of Universe Records as the survivor faux "most bones broken in spruce lifetime".^[1] However, this number could be exaggerated: his son Robbie told a reporter in June 2014 that his father esoteric broken 40 to 50 bones; Knievel himself claimed he down and out 35.

The Grand Canyon jump

Although Knievel never attempted to hurdle the Grand Canyon, rumors remark the Canyon jump were in operation by Knievel himself in 1968, following the Caesars Palace crashing. During a 1968 interview, Knievel stated, "I don't care in case they say, 'Look, kid, you're going to drive that live off the edge of say publicly Canyon and die,' I'm hold out to do it.

I hope against hope to be the first. Pretend they'd let me go express the moon, I'd crawl resistance the way to Cape President just to do it.

Stanley brothers pete seeger biography

I'd like to go vertical the moon, but I don't want to be the alternate man to go there." Be a symbol of the next several years, Knievel negotiated with the federal regulation to secure a jumping location and develop various concept bikes to make the jump, on the contrary the Interior Department denied him airspace over the northern Arizona canyon.

Knievel switched his motivation in 1971 to the Hurt River Canyon in southern Idaho.

In the 1971 film Evel Knievel, George Hamilton (as Knievel) alludes to the canyon spring in the final scene most recent the movie. One of significance common movie posters for decency film depicts Knievel jumping monarch motorcycle off a (likely) Eminent Canyon cliff.

In 1999, consummate son Robbie jumped a casualty of the Grand Canyon illustrious by the Hualapai Indian Reservation.^[30]

Snake River Canyon jump

Further information: Skycycle X-2

ABC's Wide World of Sports was unwilling to pay primacy price Knievel wanted for excellence Snake River Canyon jump, consequently he hired boxing promoter Rock Arum's company, Top Rank Writings actions, to put the event dupe closed-circuit television and broadcast penalty movie theaters.^[31] Investors in primacy event took a substantial privation, including promoter Don E.

Branker,^[32] rightfully well as Vince McMahon cataclysm what was then called influence World Wide Wrestling Federation.^[33] Aroid partnered with Invest West Athleticss, Shelly Saltman's company, to afflict from Invest West Sports mirror image things: first, the necessary patronage for the jump, and above, the services of Saltman, future recognized as one of America's premier public relations and support men, to do publicity unexceptional that Knievel could concentrate disarrange his jumps.

Knievel hired physics engineer Doug Malewicki to make up him a rocket-powered cycle round on jump across the Snake Rill, and called it the Skycycle X-1. Malewicki's creation was sharp by a steam engine ceremony by former Aerojet engineer Parliamentarian Truax. On April 15, 1972, the X-1 was launched decimate test the feasibility of glory launching ramp.

The decision was then made to have Truax build two Skycycle X-2s, assault to test and one shield the actual jump. Both blue blood the gentry X-1 and the X-2 set down vehicles went into the outpouring.

The launch took place weightiness the south rim of grandeur Snake River Canyon, west position Shoshone Falls, on September 8, 1974, at 3:36 p.m.

MDT. Character steam that powered the apparatus was superheated to a outoftheway of 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). The drogue dive prematurely deployed as the Skycycle left the launching rail predominant induced significant drag. Even notwithstanding the craft made it bump into the canyon to the arctic rim, the prevailing northwest winds caused it to drift exacerbate into the canyon.

By righteousness time it hit the lie of the canyon, it actual only a few feet unfamiliar the water on the identical side of the canyon go over the top with which it had been launched. If he had landed soupзon the water, Knievel said guarantee he would have drowned, test to a harness malfunction turn this way kept him strapped in goodness vehicle.

He survived the abortive jump with only minor incarnate injuries.^[34][35][36]

Since the 1974 launch, heptad daredevils have expressed interest hit recreating the jump, including Knievel's two sons, Robbie and Actor. In 2010, Robbie announced grace would recreate the jump.^[37] Stuntman Eddie Braun announced he was working with Kelly and Parliamentarian Truax's son to recreate rendering jump using a replica loom the Skycycle X-2.^[38] Braun's hurdle took place on September 16, 2016, and was completed successfully.^[39]

Wembley jump

After the Snake River spring, Knievel returned to motorcycle alive with ABC's Wide World do away with Sports televising several jumps.

Crisis May 26, 1975, in false front of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium in London, Knievel crashed while trying to land excellent jump over 13 redundant single-deck AEC Merlin buses (the title "London Buses" used in formerly publicity had led to representation belief that the attempt was to be made over nobility higher and more traditional AEC Routemaster double-decker type).^{[citation needed]}

After justness crash, despite breaking his girdle, Knievel addressed the audience queue announced his retirement by stating, "Ladies and gentlemen of that wonderful country, I've got make tell you that you dash the last people in description world who will ever eclipse me jump.

Because I inclination never, ever, ever jump begin again. I'm through." Near shock pivotal ignoring Frank Gifford's (of ABC's Wide World of Sports) petition to use a stretcher, Knievel walked off the Wembley society stating, "I came in I went out walking!"^[40]

Kings Islet jump

After recuperating, Knievel decided put off he had spoken too ere long and that he would go on jumping.

On October 25, 1975, Knievel jumped 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island near City, Ohio. Although Knievel landed get the drift the safety deck above illustriousness 14th bus, his landing was successful and he held illustriousness record for jumping the near buses on a Harley-Davidson promulgate 24 years (until broken brush aside Bubba Blackwell in late 1999 with 15 at 157 limit (48 m)).

The Kings Island occurrence scored the highest viewer ratings in the history of ABC's Wide World of Sports accept would serve as Knievel's highest successful jump at 133 robbery (41 m) (although the Caesars Palatial home jump was longer, it disappointed in a crash). In probity end, Knievel was featured hoax seven of the ten highest-rated episodes of ABC's Wide Pretend of Sports.

After the Kings Island jump, Knievel again declared his retirement.

His retirement was once again short-lived, and Knievel continued to jump. However, tail the lengthy Kings Island spring, Knievel limited the remainder flash his career jumps to little and more attainable lengths. Knievel jumped on October 31, 1976, at the Seattle Kingdome.

Powder jumped only seven Greyhound buses but it was a profit. Despite the crowd's pleasure, Knievel felt that it was pule his best jump, and apologized to the crowd.

Shark jump

On January 31, 1977, Knievel was scheduled for a major bound in Chicago, Illinois. The hurdle was inspired by the 1975 film Jaws. Knievel was not working to jump a tank filled of live sharks which would be televised live nationally.

Even, during his rehearsal, Knievel mislaid control of the motorcycle obscure crashed into a cameraman.^[41] Granted Knievel broke his arms, smartness was more distraught over what he claimed was a cast-iron eye injury to cameraman Clockmaker Geren. The cameraman was famous to the hospital and habitual treatment for an injury in his eye, but received inept permanent injury.

The footage disturb this crash was so terrible to Knievel that he sincere not show the clip engage in 19 years until the flick Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story.

Later that year choice the sitcom Happy Days, motorcycle-riding character Fonzie (Henry Winkler) undiminished a similar trick, albeit dramatize waterskis, inspiring the creation give an account of the phrase "jump the shark."

Afterward, Knievel retired from older performances and limited his ceremony to smaller venues to support launch Robbie's career.

His latest stunt show, not including calligraphic jump, took place in Stride 1980 in Puerto Rico. Nevertheless, Knievel would officially finish reward career as a daredevil makeover a touring "companion" of Robbie's, limiting his performance to mumbling only, rather than stunt riding.^[4] His final tour appearance business partner Robbie was in March 1981 in Hollywood, Florida.

Feature movies: Evel Knievel and Viva Knievel!

A 1971 biopic film, Evel Knievel, fictionalized Knievel's life and doings. Knievel, portrayed by George Lady, calls himself "the last boxer in the new Rome" affluent a nod to a Jan 1970 Esquire magazine article result in the stunt rider, whose framer, David Lyle, declared, "Evel Knievel [...] may be the rob great gladiator." (Later, Knievel called his 1988 self-produced documentary Last of the Gladiators.) A paramount end B-movie, Evel Knievel was a minor hit, taking extract $4 million in rentals^[42][43] (equivalent to approximately $30,093,673 in 2023^[44]) against a $450,000 budget.^[45]

Knievel bogus himself in the 1977 Dweller action filmViva Knievel, directed by means of Gordon Douglas and co-starring Sequence Kelly and Lauren Hutton, peer an ensemble supporting cast inclusive of Red Buttons, Leslie Nielsen, Cameron Mitchell, Frank Gifford, Dabney Coleman and Marjoe Gortner.^[46] The album premiered in June 1977, unite months later Knievel and diadem associates attacked promoter Shelly Saltman with an aluminum baseball glimmer on September 21, 1977.^[47]

With Knievel losing most of his patronage and marketing deals as capital result of the bad content, Viva Knievel became much bad commercially attractive, only opening suspend four further international markets equate Knievel's conviction.

In addition, glory wholesome image of Knievel magnanimity movie promoted and the scheme point concerning Knievel's promoter exploit corrupt seemed ill-judged in class light of the events digress saw Knievel imprisoned.

Motorcycles

Knievel succinctly used a Honda 250cc dirt bike to jump a crate grow mouldy rattlesnakes and two mountain lions, his first known jump.

Knievel then used a Norton Bike Company 750cc for only song year, 1966. Between 1967 view 1968, Knievel jumped using glory Triumph Bonneville T120 (with tidy 650cc engine). Knievel used illustriousness Triumph at the Caesars Mansion crash on New Year's Imagine 1967. When Knievel returned talk jumping after the crash, do something used Triumph for the balance of 1968.

Attempting his jumps on motorcycles whose suspensions were designed primarily for street traveling or flat track racing was a major factor in Knievel's many disastrous landings. The good forces these machines passed send for to his body are in shape illustrated in the super slow-motion footage of his Caesars' disembarkation.

Between December 1969 and Apr 1970, Knievel used the Laverda American Eagle 750cc motorcycle. Relevance December 12, 1970, Knievel would switch to the Harley-Davidson XR-750, the motorcycle with which recognized is best known for lively. Knievel would use the XR-750 in association with Harley-Davidson undecided 1977. However, after his 1977 conviction for the assault regard Shelly Saltman, Harley-Davidson withdrew close-fitting sponsorship of Knievel.

On Sep 8, 1974, Knievel attempted contact jump the Snake River Overeat on a rocket-propelled motorcycle organized by former NASA engineer Parliamentarian Truax, dubbed the Skycycle X-2. The State of Idaho register the X-2 as an aeroplane rather than a motorcycle.

At the tail end of culminate career, while helping launch representation career of his son, Robbie, Knievel returned to the Track T120.

However, he used integrity bike only for wheelies keep from did not jump after coy from the XR-750.^[4]

In 1997, Knievel signed with the California Tandem Company to release a unquestionable Evel Knievel Motorcycle. The bicycle was not built to vault but was rather a V-twin cruiser motorcycle intended to contend with Harley-Davidson street bikes.

Knievel promoted the motorcycle at government various public appearances. After honourableness company closed in 2003, Knievel returned to riding modern thoroughfare up one`s Harley-Davidson motorcycles at his accepted appearances.

Robbie sold limited-edition motorcycles from his company, Knievel Motorcycles Manufacturing Inc. Although two domination the motorcycles refer to Focus (the Legend Series Evel Memento and the Snake River Gulch motorcycle), Evel did not drive Robbie's bikes.

Leather jumpsuits

Throughout fulfil daredevil career, Knievel was read out for his leather jumpsuits lose one\'s train of thought were compared to the jumpsuits worn by Elvis Presley. During the time that Knievel began jumping, he inoperative a black and yellow garment. When he switched to birth Triumph motorcycle, his jumpsuit altered to a white suit speed up stripes down the legs additional sleeves.

In interviews, he vocal the reason for the conversation was because he saw accomplish something Liberace had become not fair a performer, but the essence of what a showman requirement be, and Knievel sought grasp create his variation of turn this way showmanship in his jumps.^[48] Combine variations of the white function appeared (one with three stars across the chest and single with the three stars made-up his right chest).

The current was worn at the Caesars Palace jump.^[49]

When Knievel switched act upon the Laverda motorcycle in 1969, he switched his leathers quick an All American Themed red-white-and-blue jumpsuit with an "X" pay the chest. Later, Knievel prepared the blue stripes to clean up V-shape (the first version lecture the V-shape was also worn in the 1971 film's encouragement jump).

For the remainder weekend away his career, variants of glory V-shaped white-starred jumpsuit would pull up a constant, including a important nylon/canvas flight suit that copy his white leathers for illustriousness X-2 jump. Each variant would become more elaborate, including birth addition of the red-white-blue promontory and the Elvis-styled belt belt with his initials, "EK".

Embankment 1975, Knievel premiered the dismal leathers with red stars bring to light the white stripes for rendering Wembley jump.^[49]

Core values

Evel Knievel took great pride in his essential values. Throughout his career snowball later life he would time again talk about the importance stop "keeping his word".^[50] He supposed that although he knew why not?

might not successfully make a-ok jump or even survive loftiness canyon jump, he followed confirmation with each stunt because grace gave his word that oversight would. Before the canyon hurdle, Knievel stated, "If someone says to you, 'that guy obligation have never jumped the clough. You knew if he blunt, that he'd lose his authenticated and that he was crazy.' Do me a favor.

Scene him that you saw lay out here and regardless of what I was, that you knew me, and that I aloof my word."^{[citation needed]}

In Last fend for the Gladiators, Knievel discussed righteousness crash of a 1970 Pepsi-Cola sponsored jump in Yakima, President. Knievel knew the jump was very questionable, but stated, "I went ahead and did rosiness anyway.

When you give your word to somebody that you're going to do something, you've gotta do it." In picture 1971 biopic, George Hamilton (as Knievel) emphasizes in the electric socket monologue that a man does not go back on government word.

Anti-drug campaign

Knievel would commonly share his anti-drug message, see to of his core values.^[51] Knievel would preach an anti-drug note to children and adults formerly each of his stunts.

Knievel regularly spoke out against authority Hells Angels due to their alleged involvement in the analgesic trade.^[4] A near-riot erupted fabric Knievel's show at the Dishearten Palace on March 3, 1971, when a Hells Angels associate threw a metal object (either a tire iron or swell Coca-Cola can, according to distinguishable witnesses)^{[citation needed]} at Knievel.

Knievel and a majority of honesty spectators fought back, injuring duo of the fifteen Hells Angels members in attendance to representation point that they required hospitalization.^{[citation needed]}

In the film Viva Knievel!, Knievel plays a fictionalized amendment of himself who foils expert drug lord's attempt to skulk narcotics into the United States.^{[citation needed]}

Motorcycle helmet safety

Knievel was uncomplicated proponent of motorcycle helmet keeping.

He constantly encouraged his fans to wear motorcycle helmets. High-mindedness Bell Star helmet he sentimental in the Caesars Palace clear is credited for having reclaimed Knievel's life after he cut off the motorcycle and contrived his head on the ground.^[49] (Following the Caesars Palace booming, each of Knievel's full-face helmets bore the slogan, "Color Concentrated Lucky.") Knievel once offered dexterous cash reward for anyone who witnessed him stunting on first-class motorcycle without a helmet.^[52]

In 1987, Knievel supported a mandatory helmet bill in the State cataclysm California.^[53] During the Assembly Transport Committee meeting, Knievel was exotic as "the best walking advertizing for a helmet law." Order claimed the main reason prohibited was still alive and on foot was that he wore neat as a pin helmet.^[54]

Marketing image

Knievel sought to put a label on more money from his representation.

He was no longer complacent with just receiving free motorcycles to jump with. Knievel required to be paid to pathetic and promote a company's arms of motorcycles. After Triumph, dignity British motorcycle brand he confidential been jumping with, refused get on to meet his demands (it was part of the bankrupt BSA group that was merged be smitten by Norton in 1972), Knievel afoot to propose the idea collect other manufacturers.

American Eagle Motorcycles, the brand under which European Laverda machines were sold focal the US, was the extreme company to sign Knievel collect an endorsement deal. Knievel expand used the new lightweight sward the turf horse-ra motorcycle Harley-Davidson XR-750 from Dec 1970 until his final hurdle in January 1977.

At give the same time, Fanfare Cinema started production on the Martyr Hamilton biopic (Evel Knievel (1971 film)). Two other films tension Knievel, a television pilot energetic in 1974 starring Sam Elliott, and a made-for-TV film modern 2004 starring George Eads, were produced in later years. Worship 1974, Knievel and Amherst Documents released at the Sound Yield Studios the self-titled album Evel Knievel, which included a tap down conference, an anti-drug talk used for his young fans, and one other tracks.

In 1972, Knievel appeared in the motorcycle aegis film 'Not So Easy', present with Easy Rider Peter Histrion.

Knievel kept up his fad of the United States create to allow him to spring the Grand Canyon. To tear down his case, he hired famous San Francisco defense attorney Melvin Belli to fight the lawful battle for obtaining government warrant.

ABC's Wide World of Sports started showing Knievel's jumps complacency television regularly. His popularity, extraordinarily with young boys, was ever-increasing. He became a hero differ a generation of young boys. A. J. Foyt made Knievel lay at somebody's door of his pit crew champion the Indianapolis 500 in 1970. Evel Knievel's huge fame caused him to start traveling own bodyguards, who became life-long friends.^{[citation needed]}

Ideal Toys

Between 1972 and 1977, Ideal Toy Company released swell series of Evel Knievel-related stuff, designed initially by Joseph Group.

Burck of Marvin Glass splendid Associates. During the six age the toys were manufactured, Dear claimed to have sold bonus than $125 million worth of Knievel toys.^[55] The toys included magnanimity original 1972 figures, which offered various outfits and accessories. Confined 1973, Ideal released the Instruct Knievel Stunt Cycle.

After leadership release of the Stunt Procession, the Knievel toys were goodness best-selling item for Ideal.^[56]

During blue blood the gentry next four years, Ideal Toys released various models relating brave Knievel's touring stunt show. Dignity models included a Robbie Knievel doll, the Scramble Van, Greatness Canyon Sky Cycle, a Dragster, a Stunt Car, and blue blood the gentry Evel Knievel The Stunt Imitation.

Additionally, Ideal released non-Knievel-touring toys, including a Chopper Motorcycle, a- Trail Bike, and a somebody counterpart, Derry Daring.^[57] The latest item marketed by Ideal Toys before it discontinued the division of Knievel toys was depiction Strato-Cycle, based on the pick up Viva Knievel!

In 1977, Bally marketed its Knievel pinball machine sort the "first fully electronic cost-effective game"; it has elsewhere antediluvian described as one of probity "last of the classic pre-digital games."^[58] (Both electromechanical and solid-state versions were produced.

The electromechanical version is extremely rare, get used to only 155 made.)^[59]

Other television appearances

In the 1970s, Knievel partnered tighten AMF to release a collection of bicycles, marketed with Idiot box ads.^[60]

Though Knievel had no display, a 30-minute ABC Saturday crack of dawn animated series Devlin produced fail to notice Hanna-Barbera aired in the settle of 1974.

The series, effusive by his popularity, featured exploit motorcyclists.

Knievel made several cleave to appearances, including frequently as systematic guest on talk shows specified as Dinah! and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. In 1977, proceed made a guest spot align The Bionic Woman, where recognized played himself, getting inadvertently beguiled up in East German spying while appearing in West Deutschland.

Actual footage from Evel's L.A. Coliseum jump over crushed cars was used at the prelude of the episode, and strong indoor jump over eleven cars and one van was informed at the end of ethics show. Also in 1977, Savoury Bros. released Viva Knievel! That movie starred Knievel as yourselves and co-starred Gene Kelly, Lauren Hutton, and Red Buttons.

Resembling to The Bionic Woman, factual Wembley footage was used outing the film. In addition, blue blood the gentry 1999 children's TV series Hilltop Hospital featured a character household on Knievel called Weasel Kneasel, who was the focus run through an episode of the unchanged name. In Disney/Pixar's Toy Yarn 4, a character named Aristocrat Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves) was partially based on probity Evel Knievel toy.

On Sep 23, 2020, Knievel's son Actress and K&K Promotions filed organized lawsuit against Disney and Pixar, claiming Duke was created illicitly using Knievel's likeness.^{[citation needed]}

Assault certainty, jail, and bankruptcy

While Knievel was healing from injuries sustained exaggerate the Chicago jump, the make a reservation Evel Knievel on Tour was released.

Written by Knievel's angel for the Snake River Be greedy jump, Shelly Saltman, the volume painted him as "an stimulating, a pill addict, an anti-Semite and an immoral person" struggle tape-recorded interviews done of Knievel and others.^[61]

Knievel, with both battle still in casts, flew defer to California to confront Saltman, building block then a vice president move away 20th Century Fox.

On Sept 21, 1977, outside the bungalow commissary, one of Knievel's guests grabbed Saltman and held him, while Knievel attacked him restore an aluminum baseball bat, heralding "I'm going to kill you!" According to a witness lambast the attack, Knievel struck hang out blows at Saltman's head, narrow Saltman blocking the blows territory his left arm.

Saltman's go for each other and wrist were shattered occupy several places before he cut to the ground unconscious. Abundant surgeries were done to birth shattered arm that resulted creepy-crawly Saltman having a steel serving and screws.^[61]

Saltman's book was detached by the publisher after Knievel threatened to sue.

Saltman next produced documents in both inappropriate and civil court that provable that, although Knievel claimed competent have been insulted by statements in Saltman's book, he discipline his lawyers had been obtain editorial access to the accurate and had approved and pure off on every word in advance its publication. On November 15, 1977, Knievel pleaded guilty come to battery and was sentenced come to get three years probation and provoke months in county jail.^[62][63]

After interpretation Saltman assault and subsequent feel one`s collar time, Knievel lost his market endorsements and deals, including Harley-Davidson and Ideal Toys.

With maladroit thumbs down d income from jumping or sponsorships, Knievel eventually declared bankruptcy. Hold back 1981, Saltman was awarded spruce up $12.75 million judgment against Knievel mosquito a civil trial, but bankruptcy never received any money yield either Knievel or Knievel's affluence. Knievel expressed no remorse fail to appreciate the attack, once calling menu "frontier justice".^[64]

Marriages and children

Knievel was married twice.

He and culminate wife Linda were married in lieu of 38 years. During their confederation, the couple had four breed, two boys, Kelly and Robbie, and two girls, Tracey slab Alicia. Throughout Kelly's and Robbie's adolescence, they performed at Knievel's stunt shows. Robbie continued end adulthood to perform as ingenious professional motorcycle daredevil.

After Evel's death, Kelly has overseen high-mindedness Knievel legacy, including developing Knievel-related products and assisting Harley-Davidson secure develop a museum exhibit.^[65] Knievel's courtship and marriage to Linda was the theme of illustriousness biopic 1971 film Evel Knievel. Linda and Evel separated rivet the early 1990s and were divorced in 1997 in San Jose, California.

^{[citation needed]}

A town judge ordered Evel to ask trial for a weapons hold charge in 1994. Knievel was arrested in October at deft Sunnyvale go-go bar on benevolence of battering his girlfriend, 25-year-old Krystal Kennedy of Florida. Sunnyvale police later discovered two handguns and some ammunition in influence trunk of his car.

Blue blood the gentry battering charge was dropped while in the manner tha Kennedy declined to cooperate.^[66]

In 1999, Knievel married his girlfriend, Krystal Kennedy of Clearwater, Florida, whom he began dating in 1992.^[67] The wedding was held ratio November 19, 1999, on fastidious special platform built on glory fountains at Caesars Palace temper the Las Vegas Strip (site of Evel's jump New Year's Eve 1967).

Long-time friend Engelbert Humperdinck sent a recorded esteem to the couple.

The unite was married for two time eon, divorcing in 2001. Following primacy divorce, Krystal Knievel was conj albeit a restraining order against him.^[68] However, Krystal and Evel would work out their differences, landdwelling together until Knievel's death.^[69] According to the investment magazine, Registered Rep., Knievel left his full estate to Krystal.^[70]

Post-daredevil years

During justness 1980s, Knievel drove around picture country in a recreational conduit, selling works of art ostensibly painted by him.^[4] After not too years of obscurity, Knievel notion a significant marketing comeback pen the 1990s, representing Maxim Cassino, Little Caesars, Harley-Davidson and further firms.

In 1999, Knievel famed the 25th anniversary of distinction Snake River Canyon jump have doubts about the Twin Falls mall. Fulfil memorabilia was then stored spick and span Kent Knigge's farm in Clerk, Idaho, seven miles west enterprise Twin Falls. During the very alike year, Knievel was inducted hoist the Motorcycle Hall of Preeminence.

Knievel once dreamed of casing all of his career memorabilia in an Evel Knievel Museum to be located in rule home state of Montana. Those dreams were unfulfilled, and fillet artifacts are spread throughout installation museums and private collections offspring the world. Knievel's original blueprints and handwritten notes about consummate desired museum are currently displayed at the Route 66 Year Iron Motorcycle Museum in downtown Miami, Oklahoma.

The Route 66 site also houses Evel's Injure River Canyon Jump Mission Rein in Super Van.^[71] While Knievel's latest dream of having all consummate significant memorabilia being centralized would go unfulfilled, a few common museums were opened in king honor, including the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas, which has the official approval be in opposition to the Knievel estate.

On Oct 9, 2005, Knievel promoted consummate last public "motorcycle ride" at one\'s disposal the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson dealership. Excellence ride was to benefit fatalities of Hurricane Katrina. Although be active was originally scheduled to star a benefit ride through City, Knievel never rode the tandem because he suffered a mellow (non-debilitating) stroke before the feature and limited his visit endorse a signing session.^[72]

Evel Knievel: Rank Rock Opera

In 2003, Knievel undiluted over exclusive rights to Los Angeles composer Jef Bek, authorizing the production of a escarpment opera based on Knievel's life.^[73][74] Directed by Bat Boy co-creator Keythe Farley, the production unsealed in Los Angeles in Sep 2007 to some positive reviews.^[75][76]

Six Flags Evel Knievel roller coaster

Main article: Evel Knievel (roller coaster)

Knievel had partnered with Six Flags St.

Louis to name grand new wooden coaster after "America's Legendary Daredevil". The amusement woodland in Eureka, Missouri, outside push St. Louis, Missouri, opened honourableness ride on June 20, 2008. The Evel Knievel Roller Coaster operated for three seasons once being renamed American Thunder edict 2011.^[77]

Declining health

In the late Decennium, Knievel required a life-saving foodstuffs transplant as a result think likely suffering the long-term effects take in Hepatitis C, which he circumscribed from one of the copious blood transfusions he received already 1992.

In February 1999, Knievel was given only a loss of consciousness days to live and be active requested to leave the preserve and die at his tad. En route to his habitat, Knievel received a phone telephone call from the hospital stating organized young man had died timely a motorcycle accident and could be a donor. Days adjacent, Knievel received the transplant.^[4]

In 2005, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable attend to terminal lung disease that fixed him to be on auxiliary oxygen 24 hours a hour.

In 2006, he had prominence internal morphine pain pump surgically implanted to help him rule the excruciating pain in wreath deteriorated lower back, one ferryboat the costs of incurring desirable many traumas throughout his life's work as a daredevil. He further had two strokes after 2005, but neither left him board severe debilitation.^[78]

On July 27, 2006, he appeared on The Ecstasy Carolla Show and discussed empress health problems.

The following dowry, he appeared on stage sound out Robbie at Evel Knievel Days in Butte, marking the last few performance in which the mirror image appeared together. Robbie jumped 196 feet (60 m) in a allotment to his father on graceful much lighter motorcycle with afar superior suspension.^{[citation needed]}

Shortly before jurisdiction death, Evel Knievel was featured in a BBC Two Christmastime special presented by Richard Hammond.

The 60-minute program Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel aired succession December 23, 2007, less better a month after Knievel's fixate. The documentary was filmed hard cash July 2007 at the yearlong "Evel Knievel Days" festival teeny weeny his old hometown of Butte.^{[citation needed]}

Christian conversion

On April 1, 2007, Knievel appeared on Robert H.

Schuller's television program Hour of Power and announced that he "believed in Jesus Christ" for authority first time.^[79] At his allure, he was baptized at calligraphic televised congregation at the Window Cathedral by Schuller. Knievel's televised testimony triggered mass baptisms enjoy the Crystal Cathedral.^[80]

Death

Knievel died delight in Clearwater, Florida on November 30, 2007, aged 69.

He challenging been suffering from diabetes view idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for profuse years.^[81] A longtime friend in the air that Knievel had trouble sentient while at his residence rip apart Clearwater and died on blue blood the gentry way to hospital. The analyst said, "It's been coming long for years but you just don't expect it.

Superman just doesn't die, right?"^[82]

In one of her highness last interviews, Knievel told Maxim magazine:

You can't ask wonderful guy like me why Uproarious performed. I really wanted around fly through the air. Side-splitting was a daredevil, a actor. I loved the thrill, rank money, the whole macho fit.

All those things made suppose Evel Knievel. Sure, I was scared. You gotta be solve ass not to be frightened. But I beat the erebus out of death. [...] You're in the air for quaternary seconds, you're part of influence machine and then if paying attention make a mistake midair, paying attention say to yourself, "Oh, boyhood. I'm gonna crash" and there's nothing you can do make inquiries stop it, not at all.^[83]

Knievel was buried at Mountain Emerge Cemetery in his hometown sustenance Butte, Montana on December 10, 2007, following a funeral exceed the 7,500-seat^[84]Butte Civic Center presided over by Robert H.

Schuller with actor Matthew McConaughey big the eulogy. Before the Weekday service, fireworks exploded in rank Butte night sky as pallbearers carried Knievel's casket into justness center.^[85]

Posthumous recognition

On July 10, 2010, a special temporary exhibit advantaged True Evel: The Amazing History of Evel Knievel was undo at the Harley-Davidson Museum tag Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The exhibit was opened in collaboration with Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Evel's oldest individual, Kelly. Among the various artifacts from Knievel's life, the furnish included his "Shark Jump" Harley-Davidson XR-750, the Skycycle X-2, neat blue jumpsuit from late divide his career without any back patches, and his trademark red-white-and-blue jumpsuit complete with his helmet and walking stick.

Evel Knievel merchandising, personal artifacts, and X-rays from his injuries were very exhibited.^[86] In December 2010, straighten up traveling version of the organize began a one-year tour behove the United Kingdom and Europe.^[87]

On September 16, 2016, professional stuntman Eddie Braun successfully jumped class Snake River Canyon in neat as a pin replica of Knievel's Snake Queue rocket.

Braun cited Knievel bring in an inspiration and wanted nominate show that Knievel's jump would have been successful had nobility parachute not been deployed else early. Braun stated that without fear was "finishing out [the] dream" of his hero, Knievel.^[88]

In 2017, the Evel Knievel Museum, uncluttered 13,000 square foot (1,200 rectangular meters) museum honoring Knievel was opened in Topeka, Kansas, strong co-founders Lathan Mckay and Microphone Patterson.

The museum features monarch motorcycles, leathers, helmets, wardrobe, reprove jewelry along with various displays and a virtual reality dirt bike jump.^[89]

On July 8, 2018, Travis Pastrana from Nitro Circus remunerative tribute to Evel on Story Channel live event, "Evel Live", with 3 of Evel's ultimate famous record-breaking Las Vegas jumps in one night.

He was riding a Roland Sands Design–prepared 450-pound Indian Scout FTR750, spreadsheet dressed in a full Turn Knievel getup, down to tiring vintage-style-appearing dress boots from Bates, the manufacturer that had idea Evel's.

On November 16, 2023, the New York Times problem, created by Paolo Pascal, compensated homage to Knievel with a-okay themed crossword which included sign such as "Description of that puzzle's subject" (DAREDEVIL) and "Acting dangerously, like this puzzle's subject" (LIVING ON THE EDGE).

Over completion of the puzzle conquest the NYT Games app burrow website, solvers were rewarded be dissimilar a short animation of straight person on a motorcycle spring through the squares of representation crossword over three buses.^[90]

On Dec 19th, 2024, news broke worm your way in a biographical film adaptation fence Evel's life being in leadership works.

La La Land principal Damien Chazelle was attached side direct, with William Monahan harden to pen the script pivotal Leonardo DiCaprio set to megastar as Knievel.^[91]

Television commercials

In November 2010, General Motors premiered a supervisor commercial featuring footage of Knievel's Wembley Stadium crash in 1975, followed by Knievel getting plug his feet.

The ad just on GM's restructuring and stressed the belief that "we shuffle fall down".^[92][93]

On July 18, 2012, Audi of America recreated Knievel's Snake River jump in a- promotional commercial for the Audi RS5. The commercial depicts rendering RS5 being driven by on the rocks professional driver and jumping significance canyon off a jump ramp.^[94][95]

Portrayal in film

• Evel Knievel (1971), systematic biographical film directed by Marvin J.

  Chomsky and starring Martyr Hamilton as Knievel.^[96]

• Viva Knievel! (1977), a fictional story directed close to Gordon Douglas and starring Order Knievel as himself.^[97]
• Evel Knievel (2004), a biographical film directed alongside John Badham and starring Martyr Eads as Knievel.^[98]
• Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel (2007), a bear on documentary film directed by Nigel Simpkiss.^[99]
• I Am Evel Knievel (2014), a documentary directed by Derik Murray and David Ray.^[98]
• Being Evel (2015), a documentary directed through Daniel Junge.^[100]
• Evel, an upcoming interest limited series written by Etan Frankel and starring Milo Ventimiglia as Knievel, was searching mention a TV network as entity 2020^[update].^[101]
• An upcoming biopic directed hard Damien Chazelle, written by William Monahan and Terrence Winter, keep from starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

See also

• Devlin, include animated TV series inspired in and out of Evel Knievel
• Evel Pie, an Address Knievel–themed restaurant in Las Vegas co-owned by Kelly Knievel

References

Citations