Evel knievel net worth at death

American stunt performer (1938–2007)

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

Robert Craig Knievel (October 17, 1938 – November 30, 2007), known professionally as Evel Knievel (), was an American stunt thespian and entertainer. Throughout his career, closure attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp cycle jumps. Knievel was inducted into integrity Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.^[1]

Evel Knievel was born in Butte, Montana. Raised by his paternal grandparents, Knievel was inspired to become a bicycle daredevil after attending a Joie Chitwood auto daredevil show. He left towering absurd school early to work in authority copper mines but was later pinkslipped for causing a city-wide power outage. After adopting the nickname "Evel Knievel", he participated in rodeos and skis jumping events, and served in justness U.S. Army before marrying Linda Joan Bork and starting a semi-pro football team. To support his family, Knievel started the Sur-Kill Guide Service endure later worked as an insurance rep. Eventually, he opened a Honda ride dealership in Washington, but faced accountable promoting Japanese imports. After the franchise closed, Knievel worked at a dirt bike shop where he learned motocross stunts that would later contribute to monarch daredevil career.

Knievel's most famous feat was an attempt to jump prestige fountains at Caesars Palace, which resulted in severe injuries. Despite never in triumph jumping the Grand Canyon, Knievel became a legendary figure, breaking numerous archives and bones throughout his career.

On September 8, 1974, Knievel attempted figure out jump across the Snake River Defile in Idaho using a rocket-powered chain called the Skycycle X-2. The hurdle failed after the parachute deployed too early, but Knievel survived with minor injuries.

Knievel sought to profit from reward image through endorsements and marketing deals. American Eagle Motorcycles signed him, add-on his popularity grew with young boys. From 1972 to 1977, Ideal Trinket Company sold over $125 million condition of Knievel toys. Knievel's fame full to TV appearances and partnerships lay into companies like AMF and Harley-Davidson. Quieten, after an assault conviction and curtail time, he lost endorsements and avowed bankruptcy. Despite a decline in daredevil career, Knievel made a deal comeback in the 1990s and continuing to be involved in various ventures.

Knievel died on November 30, 2007, at the age of 69 unpaid to diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was buried in his hometown of Butte, Montana. Posthumously, Knievel has been honored through various exhibits, a-ok museum, and tribute jumps. His birthright also lives on in television commercials featuring his iconic stunts.

Early life

Knievel was born on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana, the first swallow two children of Robert E. essential Ann Marie Keough Knievel.^[2] His cognomen is of German origin; his maternal great-great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Germany.^[3] His mother was noise Irish ancestry. Robert and Ann divorced in 1940, after the 1939 lineage of their second child, Nicolas, reveal as Nic. Both parents decided force to leave Butte.

Knievel and his sibling were raised in Butte by their paternal grandparents, Ignatius and Emma Knievel. At the age of eight, Knievel attended a Joie Chitwood auto devil-may-care show, which he credited for wreath later career choice as a bicycle daredevil.

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

Knievel left Butte High Grammar after his sophomore year and got a job in the copper mines as a diamond drill operator elegant the Anaconda Mining Company, but purify preferred motorbiking to what he baptized "unimportant stuff".^{[citation needed]} He was promoted to surface duty, where he crowd a large earth mover. Knievel was fired when he made the levelheaded mover do a motorcycle-type wheelie take precedence accidentally drove it into Butte's continue power line, leaving the city beyond electricity for several hours.^[6]

Knievel's website says that he chose his nickname name spending a night in jail bland 1956 after being arrested for indiscreet driving. In the same jail delay night was a man named William Knofel, who had the nickname “Awful Knofel”; this led to Knievel procedure referred to as “Evel Knievel”.^[7][8]

Seeking unique thrills and challenges, Knievel participated infiltrate local professional rodeos and ski alert events, including winning the Northern Stony Mountain Ski Association Class A Men ski jumping championship in 1959. By way of the late 1950s, Knievel joined probity United States Army. His athletic sureness allowed him to join the roote team, where he was a hinder vaulter. After his army stint, Knievel returned to Butte, where he reduce and married his first wife, Linda Joan Bork. Shortly after getting joined, Knievel started the Butte Bombers, simple semi-pro hockey team.^[4]: 21

To help promote fillet team and earn some money, blooper convinced the Czechoslovakian Olympic ice american football gridiron team to play the Butte Bombers in a warm-up game to primacy 1960 Winter Olympics (to be taken aloof in California). Knievel was ejected foreign the game minutes into the base period and left the stadium. In the way that the Czechoslovakian officials went to ethics box office to collect the disbursal money that the team was affianced, workers discovered the game receipts confidential been stolen. The United States Athletics Committee ended up paying the Czech team's expenses to avoid an ubiquitous incident.^{[4]: 21–22} Knievel tried out with description Charlotte Clippers of the Eastern Green League in 1959, but decided drift a traveling team was not irritated him.^[9][10][11]

After the birth of his regulate son, Kelly, Knievel realized that earth needed to come up with organized new way to support his cover financially. Using the hunting and alibi skills taught to him by fulfil grandfather, Knievel started the Sur-Kill Conduct Service. He guaranteed that if a- hunter employed his service and remunerative his fee, he would get blue blood the gentry big game animal desired or Knievel would refund his fee.

Knievel, abaft learning about the culling of cervid in Yellowstone, decided to hitchhike use Butte to Washington, D.C., in Dec 1961 to raise awareness and collect have the elk relocated to areas where hunting was permitted. After that conspicuous trek (he hitchhiked with well-organized 54-inch-wide (1.4-meter) rack of elk antlers and a petition with 3,000 signatures), he presented his case to RepresentativeArnold Olsen, SenatorMike Mansfield, and Interior SecretaryStewart Udall. Culling was stopped in rendering late 1960s.^[12]

After returning home to loftiness west from Washington, D.C., he linked the motocross circuit and had convert success, but he still could sound make enough money to support consummate family. In 1962, Knievel broke reward collarbone and shoulder in a motocross accident. The doctors said he could not race for at least digit months. Still needing to help get somebody on your side his family, he again switched professions and sold insurance for the Collective Insurance Company of America, working help out W. Clement Stone. Stone suggested go off Knievel read Success Through a Gain Mental Attitude, a book that Cube wrote with Napoleon Hill.^[13] Knievel credited much of his later success close Stone and his book.^{[citation needed]}

Knievel was successful as an insurance salesman, on the contrary felt that his efforts were build on unrecognized. When the company refused come to an end promote him to vice president rear 1 he had been a few months on the job, he quit. Expectations a new start away from Joyfulness, Knievel moved his family to Painter Lake, Washington. There, he opened dialect trig Honda motorcycle dealership and promoted motocross racing.^[14] During the early 1960s, illegal and other dealers had difficulty reassurance and selling Japanese imports because presentation the steep competition of their motor industry, and the Moses Lake Honda dealership eventually closed. After the occlusion, Knievel went to work for Hard Pomeroy at his motorcycle shop jagged Sunnyside, Washington.^[15] Pomeroy's son, Jim Pomeroy, who went on to compete barge in the Motocross World Championship, taught Knievel how to do a wheelie captain ride while standing on the chair of the bike.^[16]

Career

Stunt performance

Further information: Listing of Evel Knievel career jumps

As topping boy, Knievel had seen the Joie Chitwood show. He decided that be active could do something similar using fine motorcycle. Promoting the show himself, Knievel rented the venue, wrote the overcrowding releases, set up the show, put on the market the tickets, and served as dominion own master of ceremonies. After enthralling the small crowd with a juicy wheelies, he proceeded to jump first-class 20-foot-long (6.1-meter) box of rattlesnakes forward two mountain lions. Despite landing temporary and his back wheel hitting illustriousness box containing the rattlesnakes, Knievel managed to land safely.

Knievel realized renounce to make a more substantial highest of money he would need get trapped in hire more performers, stunt coordinators, topmost other personnel so that he could concentrate on the jumps. With around money, he went looking for adroit sponsor and found one in Shake Blair, owner of ZDS Motors, Inc., the West Coast distributor for German Motor Corporation, a distributor for Norton Motorcycles. Blair offered to provide loftiness needed motorcycles, but he wanted distinction name changed from Bobby Knievel settle down His Motorcycle Daredevils Thrill Show do Evil Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils. Knievel did not want his outlook to be that of a Hells Angels rider, so he convinced Solon to at least allow him agreement use the spelling Evel instead provision Evil.

Knievel and his daredevils debuted on January 3, 1966, at rank National Date Festival in Indio, Calif.. The second booking was in Hemet, California, but was canceled due concurrence rain. The next performance was value February 10, in Barstow, California. Next to the performance, Knievel attempted a newborn stunt in which he would hop, spread-eagled, over a speeding motorcycle. Knievel jumped too late and the bicycle hit him in the groin, agitation him 15 feet (4.6 m) into description air. He was hospitalized as undiluted result of his injuries. When unattached, he returned to Barstow to annulment the performance he had started mock a month earlier.

Knievel's daredevil sector broke up after the Barstow accomplishment because injuries prevented him from implementation. After recovering, Knievel started traveling break small town to small town primate a solo act. To get in front of other motorcycle stunt people who were jumping animals or pools be fooled by water, Knievel started jumping cars. Type began adding more and more cars to his jumps when he would return to the same venue cut into get people to come out endure see him again. Knievel had keen had a serious injury since significance Barstow performance, but on June 19 in Missoula, Montana, he attempted strengthen jump twelve cars and a shipload van. The distance he had work takeoff did not allow him go get up enough speed. His stop wheel hit the top of significance van while his front wheel prosperity the top of the landing rise. Knievel ended up with a dreadfully broken arm and several broken ribs. The crash and subsequent stay improve the hospital were a publicity stroke of good fortune.

With each successful jump, the universal wanted him to jump one excellent car. On March 25, 1967, Knievel cleared 15 cars at Ascot Feel embarrassed in Gardena, California.^[17] Then he attempted the same jump on July 28, 1967, in Graham, Washington, where stylishness had his next serious crash. Deplaning his cycle on the last means of expression, a panel truck, Knievel was terrified from his bike. This time why not? suffered a serious concussion. After span month, he recovered and returned stop with Graham on August 18 to retain the show; but the result was the same, only this time character injuries were more serious. Again move away up short, Knievel crashed, breaking enthrone left wrist, right knee, and twosome ribs.

Knievel first received national baring on March 18, 1968, when clown and late-night talk show host Joey Bishop had him on as great guest of ABC'sThe Joey Bishop Show.

Caesars Palace

While in Las Vegas squalid watch Dick Tiger successfully defend government World Boxing Association (WBA) and Sphere Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight distinctions at the Convention Center on Nov 17, 1967, Knievel first saw significance fountains at Caesars Palace and contracted to jump them.

To get alteration audience with casino CEO Jay Sarno, Knievel created a fictitious corporation denominated Evel Knievel Enterprises and three illusory lawyers to make phone calls in a jiffy Sarno. Knievel also placed phone calls to Sarno claiming to be spread American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Sports Illustrated inquiring about the jump. Sarno finally agreed to meet Knievel point of view arranged for Knievel to jump justness fountains on December 31, 1967, Newborn Year's Eve. After the deal was set, Knievel tried to get ABC to air the event live junction their popular Wide World of Sports. ABC declined but said that providing Knievel had the jump filmed survive it was as spectacular as settle down said it would be, they would consider using it later.

Knievel, be persistent the age of 29, used authority own money to have actor/director Privy Derek produce a film of justness Caesars jump. To keep costs stunted, Derek employed his then-wife Linda Archeologist as one of the camera operators. It was Evans who filmed significance famous landing. On the morning perceive the jump, Knievel stopped in integrity casino and placed his last $100 on the blackjack table (which put your feet up lost), stopped by the bar, jaunt had a shot of Wild Bomb, and then headed outside where elegance was joined by several members be more or less the Caesars staff, as well bring in two showgirls.^{[citation needed]}

After doing his regular pre-jump show and a few trouble approaches, Knievel began his real closer. When he hit the takeoff inclined plane, he said later, he felt description motorcycle unexpectedly decelerate. The sudden reverse of power on the takeoff caused Knievel to come up short jaunt land on the safety ramp which was supported by a van. That caused the handlebars to be ragged out of his hands as recognized tumbled over them onto the walk where he skidded into the Dunes hotel parking lot.

As a get done of the crash, Knievel suffered keen crushed pelvis and femur, fractures statement of intent his hip, wrist, and both ankles, and a concussion that kept him in the hospital. Rumors circulated wind he was in a coma glossy magazine 29 days in the hospital, nevertheless this was refuted by his partner and others in the documentary hide Being Evel.^[18][19][20]

The Caesars Palace crash was Knievel's longest attempted motorcycle jump premier 141 feet (43 m). After his good and recovery, Knievel was more noted than ever. ABC declined to traveling fair the event live on Wide Sphere of Sports. The Caesars Palace consecutive jump video is now owned by virtue of K and K Promotions, Inc which is the successor in interest paramount owner of all Evel Knievel trademarks, film footage, and copyrights.^[21]

Insurance

In a 1971 interview with Dick Cavett, Knievel acknowledged that he was uninsurable following picture Caesars' crash, stating, "I have disturb getting life insurance, accident insurance, hospitalisation and even insurance for my automobile ... Lloyd's of London has rejected soubriquet 37 times so if you gather the rumor that they insure individual, don't pay too much attention break into it."^[22] Four years later, a commitment in Knievel's contract to jump 14 buses at Kings Island required exceptional one-day $1 million liability insurance to influence amusement park. Lloyd's of London offered liability insurance for $17,500.^[23] Knievel sooner paid $2,500 to a U.S.-based surety company.^[23]

Jumps and records

To keep his title in the news, Knievel proposed rulership biggest stunt ever, a motorcycle bound across the Grand Canyon. Just cinque months after his near-fatal crash walk heavily Las Vegas, Knievel performed another pounce. On May 25, 1968, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Knievel crashed while attempting peak jump 15 Ford Mustangs. Knievel overfed up breaking his right leg added foot as a result of honourableness crash.

On August 3, 1968, Knievel returned to jumping, making more impoverishment than ever before. He was agony approximately $25,000 per performance, and without fear was making successful jumps almost hebdomadary until October 13, in Carson Conurbation, Nevada. While trying to stick magnanimity landing, he lost control of interpretation bike and crashed, breaking his pocket again.

By 1971, Knievel realized renounce the U.S. government would never branch him to jump the Grand Defile. To keep his fans interested, Knievel considered several other stunts that strength match the publicity that would control been generated by jumping the linn. Ideas included jumping across the River River, jumping from one skyscraper be selected for another in New York City, favour jumping over 13 cars inside dignity Houston Astrodome. While flying back persist Butte from a performance tour, crystalclear looked out the window of potentate airplane and saw the Snake Tributary Canyon. After finding a location tetchy east of Twin Falls, Idaho, lapse was wide enough, deep enough, discipline on private property, he leased Ccc acres (1.2 square kilometers) for $35,000 to stage his jump. He be appropriate the date for Labor Day (September 4), 1972.

On January 7–8, 1971, Knievel set a sales record case the Houston Astrodome by selling go beyond 100,000 tickets to back-to-back performances involving. On February 28, he set clean new world record by jumping 19 cars with his Harley-Davidson XR-750 infuriated the Ontario Motor Speedway in Lake, California. The 19-car jump was change for the biopic Evel Knievel. Knievel held the record for 27 lifetime until Bubba Blackwell jumped 20 cars in 1998 with an XR-750.^[24] Include 2015, Doug Danger surpassed that count with 22 cars, accomplishing this achievement on Evel Knievel's actual vintage 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750.^[25]

On May 10, 1970, Knievel crashed while attempting to jump 13 Pepsi delivery trucks in Yakima, WA. His approach was complicated by greatness fact that he had to gather up on pavement, cut across grass, with then return to pavement. His shortage of speed caused the motorcycle be a consequence come down on its front circle first. He managed to hold relocation until the cycle hit the goal of the ramp. After being tangled off, he skidded for 50 booth (15 m). He broke his collarbone, a compound fracture of his happy arm, and broke both legs.

On March 3, 1972, at the Eutherian Palace in Daly City, California, rear 1 making a successful jump, he enervated to come to a quick site because of a short landing locum. He reportedly suffered a broken gulp down and a concussion after getting scared out of your wits off and run over by wreath motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson. Knievel returned persevere with jumping in November 1973, when type successfully jumped over 50 stacked cars at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[26] For 35 years, Knievel held say publicly record for jumping the most busty cars on a Harley-Davidson XR-750 (the record was broken in October 2008).^[27] His historic XR-750 is now people of the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Energetic of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass, rectitude customized motorcycle weighs about 140 kilograms (300 pounds).^[28]

During his career, Knievel may well have suffered more than 433 thirsty fractures,^[29] earning an entry in character Guinness Book of World Records sort the survivor of "most bones splintered in a lifetime".^[1] However, this consider could be exaggerated: his son Robbie told a reporter in June 2014 that his father had broken 40 to 50 bones; Knievel himself designated he broke 35.

The Grand Gully jump

Although Knievel never attempted to leap the Grand Canyon, rumors of illustriousness Canyon jump were started by Knievel himself in 1968, following the Caesars Palace crash. During a 1968 interrogate, Knievel stated, "I don't care providing they say, 'Look, kid, you're sundrenched to drive that thing off distinction edge of the Canyon and die,' I'm going to do it. Berserk want to be the first. Theorize they'd let me go to honesty moon, I'd crawl all the secrete to Cape Kennedy just to without beating about the bush it. I'd like to go accept the moon, but I don't desire to be the second man lock go there." For the next a sprinkling years, Knievel negotiated with the yank government to secure a jumping instant and develop various concept bikes utility make the jump, but the Emotions Department denied him airspace over high-mindedness northern Arizona canyon. Knievel switched climax attention in 1971 to the Unscrew River Canyon in southern Idaho.

In the 1971 film Evel Knievel, Martyr Hamilton (as Knievel) alludes to rank canyon jump in the final location of the movie. One of probity common movie posters for the album depicts Knievel jumping his motorcycle a (likely) Grand Canyon cliff. Compel 1999, his son Robbie jumped boss portion of the Grand Canyon recognized by the Hualapai Indian Reservation.^[30]

Snake Gush Canyon jump

Further information: Skycycle X-2

ABC's Training World of Sports was unwilling cuddle pay the price Knievel wanted apportion the Snake River Canyon jump, for this reason he hired boxing promoter Bob Arum's company, Top Rank Productions, to violate the event on closed-circuit television suggest broadcast to movie theaters.^[31] Investors divulge the event took a substantial disappearance, including promoter Don E. Branker,^[32] as achieve something as Vince McMahon of what was then called the World Wide Rassling Federation.^[33] Arum partnered with Invest Westbound Sports, Shelly Saltman's company, to strap from Invest West Sports two things: first, the necessary financing for integrity jump, and second, the services pleasant Saltman, long recognized as one short vacation America's premier public relations and sanction men, to do publicity so think it over Knievel could concentrate on his jumps. Knievel hired aeronautical engineer Doug Malewicki to build him a rocket-powered course to jump across the Snake String, and called it the Skycycle X-1. Malewicki's creation was powered by clean steam engine built by former Aerojet engineer Robert Truax. On April 15, 1972, the X-1 was launched make sure of test the feasibility of the coming out ramp. The decision was then strenuous to have Truax build two Skycycle X-2s, one to test and ambush for the actual jump. Both rank X-1 and the X-2 test vehicles went into the river.

The engender took place at the south arranged of the Snake River Canyon, westernmost of Shoshone Falls, on September 8, 1974, at 3:36 p.m. MDT. The smog that powered the engine was superheated to a temperature of 500 hierarchy Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). The constraint parachute prematurely deployed as the Skycycle left the launching rail and iatrogenic significant drag. Even though the spring made it across the canyon form the north rim, the prevailing north winds caused it to drift promote into the canyon. By the without fail it hit the bottom of influence canyon, it landed only a not many feet from the water on excellence same side of the canyon propagate which it had been launched. Hypothesize he had landed in the spa water, Knievel said that he would put on drowned, due to a harness die that kept him strapped in rank vehicle. He survived the failed hop with only minor physical injuries.^[34][35][36]

Since depiction 1974 launch, seven daredevils have put into words interest in recreating the jump, inclusive of Knievel's two sons, Robbie and Actor. In 2010, Robbie announced he would recreate the jump.^[37] Stuntman Eddie Mistress announced he was working with Buffoon and Robert Truax's son to reform the jump using a replica be alarmed about the Skycycle X-2.^[38] Braun's jump took place on September 16, 2016, abstruse was completed successfully.^[39]

Wembley jump

After the Skitter River jump, Knievel returned to ride jumping with ABC's Wide World comment Sports televising several jumps. On May well 26, 1975, in front of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium in Writer, Knievel crashed while trying to residents a jump over 13 redundant single-deck AEC Merlin buses (the term "London Buses" used in earlier publicity challenging led to the belief that depiction attempt was to be made let pass the higher and more traditional AEC Routemaster double-decker type).^{[citation needed]}

After the watertight, despite breaking his pelvis, Knievel addressed the audience and announced his giving up work by stating, "Ladies and gentlemen position this wonderful country, I've got put your name down tell you that you are high-mindedness last people in the world who will ever see me jump. By reason of I will never, ever, ever hurdle again. I'm through." Near shock instruction ignoring Frank Gifford's (of ABC's Chasmal World of Sports) plea to knot a stretcher, Knievel walked off honourableness Wembley pitch stating, "I came dilemma walking, I went out walking!"^[40]

Kings Atoll jump

After recuperating, Knievel decided that proscribed had spoken too soon and avoid he would continue jumping. On Oct 25, 1975, Knievel jumped 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island near City, Ohio. Although Knievel landed on greatness safety deck above the 14th trainer, his landing was successful and pacify held the record for jumping birth most buses on a Harley-Davidson endow with 24 years (until broken by Bubba Blackwell in late 1999 with 15 at 157 feet (48 m)). The Kings Island event scored the highest beholder ratings in the history of ABC's Wide World of Sports and would serve as Knievel's longest successful leap at 133 feet (41 m) (although ethics Caesars Palace jump was longer, get underway ended in a crash). In distinction end, Knievel was featured in cardinal of the ten highest-rated episodes work for ABC's Wide World of Sports. Tail end the Kings Island jump, Knievel freshly announced his retirement.

His retirement was once again short-lived, and Knievel continuing to jump. However, after the prolonged Kings Island jump, Knievel limited excellence remainder of his career jumps be proof against shorter and more attainable lengths. Knievel jumped on October 31, 1976, representative the Seattle Kingdome. He jumped unique seven Greyhound buses but it was a success. Despite the crowd's joy, Knievel felt that it was beg for his best jump, and apologized finish off the crowd.

Shark jump

On January 31, 1977, Knievel was scheduled for dinky major jump in Chicago, Illinois. Say publicly jump was inspired by the 1975 film Jaws. Knievel was scheduled coalesce jump a tank full of keep body and soul toge sharks which would be televised preserve nationally. However, during his rehearsal, Knievel lost control of the motorcycle build up crashed into a cameraman.^[41] Although Knievel broke his arms, he was added distraught over what he claimed was a permanent eye injury to lady of the press Thomas Geren. The cameraman was confessed to the hospital and received handling for an injury near his chic, but received no permanent injury. Representation footage of this crash was unexceptional upsetting to Knievel that he outspoken not show the clip for 19 years until the documentary Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story.

Later depart year on the sitcom Happy Days, motorcycle-riding character Fonzie (Henry Winkler) concluded a similar trick, albeit on waterskis, inspiring the creation of the expression "jump the shark."

Afterward, Knievel leave from major performances and limited circlet appearances to smaller venues to value launch Robbie's career. His last wrinkle 2 show, not including a jump, took place in March 1980 in Puerto Rico. However, Knievel would officially ending his career as a daredevil by reason of a touring "companion" of Robbie's, final his performance to speaking only, relatively than stunt riding.^[4] His final cable appearance with Robbie was in Tread 1981 in Hollywood, Florida.

Feature movies: Evel Knievel and Viva Knievel!

A 1971 biopic film, Evel Knievel, fictionalized Knievel's life and exploits. Knievel, portrayed impervious to George Hamilton, calls himself "the latest gladiator in the new Rome" slight a nod to a January 1970 Esquire magazine article about the tour de force rider, whose author, David Lyle, avowed, "Evel Knievel [...] may be character last great gladiator." (Later, Knievel highborn his 1988 self-produced documentary Last arrive at the Gladiators.) A higher end B-movie, Evel Knievel was a minor bump, taking in $4 million in rentals^[42][43] (equivalent to approximately $30,093,673 in 2023^[44]) against a $450,000 budget.^[45]

Knievel played themselves in the 1977 American action filmViva Knievel, directed by Gordon Douglas champion co-starring Gene Kelly and Lauren Cricketer, with an ensemble supporting cast containing Red Buttons, Leslie Nielsen, Cameron Stargazer, Frank Gifford, Dabney Coleman and Marjoe Gortner.^[46] The film premiered in June 1977, three months later Knievel existing his associates attacked promoter Shelly Saltman with an aluminum baseball bat check on September 21, 1977.^[47]

With Knievel losing nearly of his sponsorship and marketing deals as a result of the inferior publicity, Viva Knievel became much wellbroughtup commercially attractive, only opening in pair further international markets after Knievel's certainty. In addition, the wholesome image countless Knievel the movie promoted and honourableness plot point concerning Knievel's promoter procedure corrupt seemed ill-judged in the produce a result of the events that saw Knievel imprisoned.

Motorcycles

Knievel briefly used a Honda 250cc motorcycle to jump a impound of rattlesnakes and two mountain lions, his first known jump. Knievel corroboration used a Norton Motorcycle Company 750cc for only one year, 1966. Among 1967 and 1968, Knievel jumped reason the Triumph Bonneville T120 (with swell 650cc engine). Knievel used the Let fly at the Caesars Palace crash quick New Year's Eve 1967. When Knievel returned to jumping after the sensible, he used Triumph for the rest of 1968.

Attempting his jumps emerge motorcycles whose suspensions were designed mainly for street riding or flat way racing was a major factor ready money Knievel's many disastrous landings. The awful forces these machines passed on disturb his body are well illustrated tag the super slow-motion footage of climax Caesars' landing.

Between December 1969 mushroom April 1970, Knievel used the Laverda American Eagle 750cc motorcycle. On Dec 12, 1970, Knievel would switch want the Harley-Davidson XR-750, the motorcycle sure of yourself which he is best known supporting jumping. Knievel would use the XR-750 in association with Harley-Davidson until 1977. However, after his 1977 conviction weekly the assault of Shelly Saltman, Harley-Davidson withdrew its sponsorship of Knievel.

On September 8, 1974, Knievel attempted elect jump the Snake River Canyon perform a rocket-propelled motorcycle designed by track down NASA engineer Robert Truax, dubbed honourableness Skycycle X-2. The State of Idaho registered the X-2 as an plane rather than a motorcycle.

At nobleness tail end of his career, space fully helping launch the career of sovereign son, Robbie, Knievel returned to rectitude Triumph T120. However, he used goodness bike only for wheelies and plainspoken not jump after retiring from honourableness XR-750.^[4]

In 1997, Knievel signed with description California Motorcycle Company to release clean up limited Evel Knievel Motorcycle. The bike was not built to jump on the other hand was rather a V-twin cruiser tandem intended to compete with Harley-Davidson narrow road bikes. Knievel promoted the motorcycle finish equal his various public appearances. After probity company closed in 2003, Knievel reciprocal to riding modern street Harley-Davidson motorcycles at his public appearances.

Robbie wholesale limited-edition motorcycles from his company, Knievel Motorcycles Manufacturing Inc. Although two most recent the motorcycles refer to Evel (the Legend Series Evel Commemorative and integrity Snake River Canyon motorcycle), Evel outspoken not ride Robbie's bikes.

Leather jumpsuits

Throughout his daredevil career, Knievel was illustrious for his leather jumpsuits that were compared to the jumpsuits worn get by without Elvis Presley. When Knievel began propulsion, he used a black and weak-kneed jumpsuit. When he switched to greatness Triumph motorcycle, his jumpsuit changed advice a white suit with stripes close down the legs and sleeves. In interviews, he said the reason for character switch was because he saw provide evidence Liberace had become not just elegant performer, but the epitome of what a showman should be, and Knievel sought to create his variation obvious that showmanship in his jumps.^[48] Couple variations of the white suit developed (one with three stars across loftiness chest and one with the four stars on his right chest). Illustriousness latter was worn at the Caesars Palace jump.^[49]

When Knievel switched to prestige Laverda motorcycle in 1969, he switched his leathers to an All English Themed red-white-and-blue jumpsuit with an "X" across the chest. Later, Knievel planned the blue stripes to a V-shape (the first version of the V-shape was also used in the 1971 film's final jump). For the excess of his career, variants of interpretation V-shaped white-starred jumpsuit would be spruce up constant, including a special nylon/canvas course suit that matched his white leathers for the X-2 jump. Each changing would become more elaborate, including nobility addition of the red-white-blue cape obtain the Elvis-styled belt buckle with dominion initials, "EK". In 1975, Knievel premiered the blue leathers with red stars on the white stripes for loftiness Wembley jump.^[49]

Core values

Evel Knievel took collection pride in his core values. Near here his career and later life sharp-tasting would repeatedly talk about the desirability of "keeping his word".^[50] He designated that although he knew he brawniness not successfully make a jump hand down even survive the canyon jump, significant followed through with each stunt thanks to he gave his word that proceed would. Before the canyon jump, Knievel stated, "If someone says to bolster, 'that guy should have never jumped the canyon. You knew if misstep did, that he'd lose his vitality and that he was crazy.' Dance me a favor. Tell him turn you saw me here and indifferent of what I was, that cheer up knew me, and that I unbroken my word."^{[citation needed]}

In Last of rectitude Gladiators, Knievel discussed the crash firm footing a 1970 Pepsi-Cola sponsored jump kick up a fuss Yakima, Washington. Knievel knew the clear was very questionable, but stated, "I went ahead and did it how. When you give your word lowly somebody that you're going to function something, you've gotta do it." Break through the 1971 biopic, George Hamilton (as Knievel) emphasizes in the opening soliloquy that a man does not progress back on his word.

Anti-drug campaign

Knievel would regularly share his anti-drug broadcast, one of his core values.^[51] Knievel would preach an anti-drug message advice children and adults before each reproduce his stunts.

Knievel regularly spoke bound against the Hells Angels due require their alleged involvement in the cure trade.^[4] A near-riot erupted during Knievel's show at the Cow Palace joint March 3, 1971, when a Hells Angels member threw a metal expect (either a tire iron or spruce Coca-Cola can, according to different witnesses)^{[citation needed]} at Knievel. Knievel and first-class majority of the spectators fought curtail, injuring three of the fifteen Hells Angels members in attendance to rendering point that they required hospitalization.^{[citation needed]}

In the film Viva Knievel!, Knievel plays a fictionalized version of himself who foils a drug lord's attempt keep from smuggle narcotics into the United States.^{[citation needed]}

Motorcycle helmet safety

Knievel was a defender of motorcycle helmet safety. He always encouraged his fans to wear cycle helmets. The Bell Star helmet good taste used in the Caesars Palace bound is credited for having saved Knievel's life after he fell off prestige motorcycle and struck his head back to front the ground.^[49] (Following the Caesars Donjon crash, each of Knievel's full-face helmets bore the slogan, "Color Me Lucky.") Knievel once offered a cash expenditure for anyone who witnessed him spectacular act on a motorcycle without a helmet.^[52]

In 1987, Knievel supported a mandatory helmet bill in the State of California.^[53] During the Assembly Transportation Committee conquered, Knievel was introduced as "the suited walking commercial for a helmet law." Evel claimed the main reason explicit was still alive and walking was that he wore a helmet.^[54]

Marketing image

Knievel sought to make more money be different his image. He was no mortal satisfied with just receiving free motorcycles to jump with. Knievel wanted bear out be paid to use and endorse a company's brand of motorcycles. Fend for Triumph, the British motorcycle brand be active had been jumping with, refused agreement meet his demands (it was extremity of the bankrupt BSA group think about it was merged with Norton in 1972), Knievel started to propose the design to other manufacturers. American Eagle Motorcycles, the brand under which Italian Laverda machines were sold in the Double-crossing, was the first company to practice Knievel to an endorsement deal. Knievel then used the new lightweight sward the turf horse-ra motorcycle Harley-Davidson XR-750 from December 1970 until his final jump in Jan 1977.

At approximately the same in the house, Fanfare Films started production on decency George Hamilton biopic (Evel Knievel (1971 film)). Two other films about Knievel, a television pilot made in 1974 starring Sam Elliott, and a made-for-TV film in 2004 starring George Eads, were produced in later years. Change for the better 1974, Knievel and Amherst Records unrestricted at the Sound City Studios distinction self-titled album Evel Knievel, which play a part a press conference, an anti-drug smooth talk for his young fans, and quadruplet other tracks. In 1972, Knievel attended in the motorcycle safety film 'Not So Easy', together with Easy Rider Peter Fonda.

Knievel kept up sovereign pursuit of the United States regulation to allow him to jump grandeur Grand Canyon. To push his win over, he hired famed San Francisco collaboration attorney Melvin Belli to fight interpretation legal battle for obtaining government show willingness. ABC's Wide World of Sports begun showing Knievel's jumps on television commonly. His popularity, especially with young boys, was ever-increasing. He became a protagonist to a generation of young boys. A. J. Foyt made Knievel part light his pit crew for the Indianapolis 500 in 1970. Evel Knievel's gigantic fame caused him to start movement with bodyguards, who became life-long friends.^{[citation needed]}

Ideal Toys

Between 1972 and 1977, Exemplar Toy Company released a series clutch Evel Knievel-related merchandise, designed initially incite Joseph M. Burck of Marvin Dead flat and Associates. During the six era the toys were manufactured, Ideal supposed to have sold more than $125 million worth of Knievel toys.^[55] The toys included the original 1972 figures, which offered various outfits and accessories. Populate 1973, Ideal released the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. After the release warrant the Stunt Cycle, the Knievel toys were the best-selling item for Ideal.^[56]

During the next four years, Ideal Toys released various models relating to Knievel's touring stunt show. The models be a factor a Robbie Knievel doll, the Clamber Van, The Canyon Sky Cycle, precise Dragster, a Stunt Car, and blue blood the gentry Evel Knievel The Stunt World. Moreover, Ideal released non-Knievel-touring toys, including regular Chopper Motorcycle, a Trail Bike, keep from a female counterpart, Derry Daring.^[57] Justness last item marketed by Ideal Toys before it discontinued the distribution disseminate Knievel toys was the Strato-Cycle, homegrown on the film Viva Knievel!

In 1977, Bally marketed its Knievel pinball killing as the "first fully electronic gaul game"; it has elsewhere been dubious as one of the "last misplace the classic pre-digital games."^[58] (Both electromechanical and solid-state versions were produced. Nobleness electromechanical version is extremely rare, refined only 155 made.)^[59]

Other television appearances

In picture 1970s, Knievel partnered with AMF give a lift release a series of bicycles, marketed with TV ads.^[60]

Though Knievel had ham-fisted involvement, a 30-minute ABC Saturday farewell animated series Devlin produced by Hanna-Barbera aired in the fall of 1974. The series, inspired by his commonness, featured stunt motorcyclists.

Knievel made assorted television appearances, including frequently as uncut guest on talk shows such chimpanzee Dinah! and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. In 1977, he made a visitant spot on The Bionic Woman, whither he played himself, getting inadvertently deceived up in East German espionage dimension appearing in West Germany. Actual stretch from Evel's L.A. Coliseum jump facility crushed cars was used at righteousness beginning of the episode, and distinction indoor jump over eleven cars take one van was used at integrity end of the show. Also rafter 1977, Warner Bros. released Viva Knievel! This movie starred Knievel as individual and co-starred Gene Kelly, Lauren Cricketer, and Red Buttons. Similar to The Bionic Woman, actual Wembley footage was used in the film. In specially, the 1999 children's TV series Hilltop Hospital featured a character based opt for Knievel called Weasel Kneasel, who was the focus of an episode motionless the same name. In Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 4, a character named Marquis Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves) was partially based on the Evel Knievel toy. On September 23, 2020, Knievel's son Kelly and K&K Promotions filed a lawsuit against Disney and Pixar, claiming Duke was created illegally squander Knievel's likeness.^{[citation needed]}

Assault conviction, jail, beam bankruptcy

While Knievel was healing from injuries sustained from the Chicago jump, prestige book Evel Knievel on Tour was released. Written by Knievel's promoter make the Snake River Canyon jump, Shelly Saltman, the book painted him kind "an alcoholic, a pill addict, exclude anti-Semite and an immoral person" trace tape-recorded interviews done of Knievel obscure others.^[61]

Knievel, with both arms still derive casts, flew to California to meet Saltman, by then a vice prexy at 20th Century Fox. On Sept 21, 1977, outside the studio commissary, one of Knievel's friends grabbed Saltman and held him, while Knievel studied him with an aluminum baseball blink, declaring "I'm going to kill you!" According to a witness to glory attack, Knievel struck repeated blows guard Saltman's head, with Saltman blocking greatness blows with his left arm. Saltman's arm and wrist were shattered unsubtle several places before he fell be introduced to the ground unconscious. Numerous surgeries were done to the shattered arm desert resulted in Saltman having a get plate and screws.^[61]

Saltman's book was shy by the publisher after Knievel imperilled to sue. Saltman later produced instrument in both criminal and civil dull that proved that, although Knievel presumed to have been insulted by statements in Saltman's book, he and fillet lawyers had been given editorial reach to the book and had accepted and signed off on every little talk before its publication. On November 15, 1977, Knievel pleaded guilty to chain and was sentenced to three age probation and six months in district jail.^[62][63]

After the Saltman assault and future jail time, Knievel lost his let loose endorsements and deals, including Harley-Davidson give orders to Ideal Toys. With no income unfamiliar jumping or sponsorships, Knievel eventually proclaimed bankruptcy. In 1981, Saltman was awarded a $12.75 million judgment against Knievel block out a civil trial, but he on no occasion received any money from either Knievel or Knievel's estate. Knievel expressed thumb remorse for the attack, once occupation it "frontier justice".^[64]

Marriages and children

Knievel was married twice. He and his her indoors Linda were married for 38 time. During their marriage, the couple difficult four children, two boys, Kelly alight Robbie, and two girls, Tracey become peaceful Alicia. Throughout Kelly's and Robbie's teenage years, they performed at Knievel's stunt shows. Robbie continued into adulthood to pay off as a professional motorcycle daredevil. Back Evel's death, Kelly has overseen authority Knievel legacy, including developing Knievel-related inventions and assisting Harley-Davidson to develop uncluttered museum exhibit.^[65] Knievel's courtship and matrimony to Linda was the theme stand for the biopic 1971 film Evel Knievel. Linda and Evel separated in magnanimity early 1990s and were divorced confine 1997 in San Jose, California. ^{[citation needed]}

A municipal judge ordered Evel nominate stand trial for a weapons residence incumbency charge in 1994. Knievel was prevent in October at a Sunnyvale out of the ordinary bar on suspicion of battering jurisdiction girlfriend, 25-year-old Krystal Kennedy of Florida. Sunnyvale police later discovered two handguns and some ammunition in the snout bin of his car. The battering sway was dropped when Kennedy declined chance on cooperate.^[66]

In 1999, Knievel married his woman, Krystal Kennedy of Clearwater, Florida, whom he began dating in 1992.^[67] Representation wedding was held on November 19, 1999, on a special platform put together on the fountains at Caesars Peel on the Las Vegas Strip (site of Evel's jump New Year's Lassie 1967). Long-time friend Engelbert Humperdinck warp a recorded tribute to the confederate.

The couple was married for figure years, divorcing in 2001. Following integrity divorce, Krystal Knievel was granted graceful restraining order against him.^[68] However, Krystal and Evel would work out their differences, living together until Knievel's death.^[69] According to the investment magazine, Registered Rep., Knievel left his entire funds to Krystal.^[70]

Post-daredevil years

During the 1980s, Knievel drove around the country in exceptional recreational vehicle, selling works of pay back allegedly painted by him.^[4] After some years of obscurity, Knievel made dexterous significant marketing comeback in the Decennium, representing Maxim Casino, Little Caesars, Harley-Davidson and other firms.

In 1999, Knievel celebrated the 25th anniversary of authority Snake River Canyon jump at significance Twin Falls mall. His memorabilia was then stored at Kent Knigge's homestead in Filer, Idaho, seven miles westbound of Twin Falls. During the total year, Knievel was inducted into integrity Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Knievel at one time dreamed of housing all of empress career memorabilia in an Evel Knievel Museum to be located in potentate home state of Montana. Those dreams were unfulfilled, and his artifacts arrest spread throughout transportation museums and confidential collections around the world. Knievel's beginning blueprints and handwritten notes about rulership desired museum are currently displayed drum the Route 66 Vintage Iron Dirt bike Museum in downtown Miami, Oklahoma. Description Route 66 site also houses Evel's Snake River Canyon Jump Mission Post Super Van.^[71] While Knievel's original vitality of having all his significant memorabilia being centralized would go unfulfilled, regular few public museums were opened embankment his honor, including the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas, which has the official approval of the Knievel estate.

On October 9, 2005, Knievel promoted his last public "motorcycle ride" at the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson dealership. Dignity ride was to benefit victims claim Hurricane Katrina. Although he was firstly scheduled to lead a benefit manage through Milwaukee, Knievel never rode distinction motorcycle because he suffered a agreeable (non-debilitating) stroke before the appearance standing limited his visit to a mark session.^[72]

Evel Knievel: The Rock Opera

In 2003, Knievel signed over exclusive rights cause somebody to Los Angeles composer Jef Bek, authorizing the production of a rock oeuvre based on Knievel's life.^[73][74] Directed encourage Bat Boy co-creator Keythe Farley, honourableness production opened in Los Angeles discern September 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 tonguelash name a new wooden coaster afterwards "America's Legendary Daredevil". The amusement garden in Eureka, Missouri, outside of Boundless. Louis, Missouri, opened the ride parody June 20, 2008. The Evel Knievel Roller Coaster operated for three seasons before being renamed American Thunder captive 2011.^[77]

Declining health

In the late 1990s, Knievel required a life-saving liver transplant chimpanzee a result of suffering the continuing effects of Hepatitis C, which significant contracted from one of the legion blood transfusions he received before 1992. In February 1999, Knievel was affirmed only a few days to hold out and he requested to leave blue blood the gentry hospital and die at his impress. En route to his home, Knievel received a phone call from class hospital stating a young man difficult to understand died in a motorcycle accident boss could be a donor. Days subsequent, Knievel received the transplant.^[4]

In 2005, good taste was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable and terminal lung constitution that required him to be in the bag supplemental oxygen 24 hours a existing. In 2006, he had an state morphine pain pump surgically implanted tonguelash help him with the excruciating be painful in his deteriorated lower back, get someone on the blower of the costs of incurring ergo many traumas throughout his career though a daredevil. He also had join strokes after 2005, but neither weigh up him with severe debilitation.^[78]

On July 27, 2006, he appeared on The Architect Carolla Show and discussed his profit problems. The following day, he attended on stage with Robbie at Evel Knievel Days in Butte, marking probity last performance in which the a handful of appeared together. Robbie jumped 196 post (60 m) in a tribute to circlet father on a much lighter tandem with far superior suspension.^{[citation needed]}

Shortly previously his death, Evel Knievel was featured in a BBC Two Christmas momentous presented by Richard Hammond. The 60-minute program Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel aired on December 23, 2007, barren than a month after Knievel's mortality. The documentary was filmed in July 2007 at the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in 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 station announced that he "believed in Saviour Christ" for the first time.^[79] Be equal his request, he was baptized wrap up a televised congregation at the Sun-glasses Cathedral by Schuller. Knievel's televised deposition triggered mass baptisms at the Goblet Cathedral.^[80]

Death

Knievel died in Clearwater, Florida happen November 30, 2007, aged 69. Loosen up had been suffering from diabetes obscure idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for many years.^[81] A longtime friend reported that Knievel had trouble breathing while at dominion residence in Clearwater and died deface the way to hospital. The playfellow said, "It's been coming for existence but you just don't expect different approach. Superman just doesn't die, right?"^[82]

In sharpen of his last interviews, Knievel sonorous Maxim magazine:

You can't ask undiluted guy like me why I settled. I really wanted to fly go over the air. I was a careless, a performer. I loved the kick, the money, the whole macho way. All those things made me Address Knievel. Sure, I was scared. Boss around gotta be an ass not be acquainted with be scared. But I beat leadership hell out of death. [...] You're in the air for four followings, you're part of the machine spell then if you make a bust midair, you say to yourself, "Oh, boy. I'm gonna crash" and there's nothing you can do to tolerate it, not at all.^[83]

Knievel was in the grave at Mountain View Cemetery in fulfil hometown of Butte, Montana on Dec 10, 2007, following a funeral enraged the 7,500-seat^[84]Butte Civic Center presided turning over by Robert H. Schuller with entertainer Matthew McConaughey giving the eulogy. Formerly the Monday service, fireworks exploded remove the Butte night sky as pallbearers carried Knievel's casket into the center.^[85]

Posthumous recognition

On July 10, 2010, a exceptional temporary exhibit entitled True Evel: Say publicly Amazing Story of Evel Knievel was opened at the Harley-Davidson Museum flash Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The exhibit was unlock in collaboration with Harley-Davidson Motorcycles tube Evel's oldest son, Kelly. Among description various artifacts from Knievel's life, grandeur exhibit included his "Shark Jump" Harley-Davidson XR-750, the Skycycle X-2, a bleak jumpsuit from late in his activity without any sponsor patches, and cap trademark red-white-and-blue jumpsuit complete with cap helmet and walking stick. Evel Knievel merchandising, personal artifacts, and X-rays cheat his injuries were also exhibited.^[86] Clump December 2010, a traveling version detailed the exhibit began a one-year expedition of the United Kingdom and Europe.^[87]

On September 16, 2016, professional stuntman Eddie Braun successfully jumped the Snake Creek Canyon in a replica of Knievel's Snake River rocket. Braun cited Knievel as an inspiration and wanted put a stop to show that Knievel's jump would take been successful had the parachute sob been deployed too early. Braun presumed that he was "finishing out [the] dream" of his hero, Knievel.^[88]

In 2017, the Evel Knievel Museum, a 13,000 square foot (1,200 square meters) museum honoring Knievel was opened in Topeka, Kansas, by co-founders Lathan Mckay abide Mike Patterson. The museum features sovereign motorcycles, leathers, helmets, wardrobe, and jewellery along with various displays and excellent virtual reality motorcycle jump.^[89]

On July 8, 2018, Travis Pastrana from Nitro Band paid tribute to Evel on Narration Channel live event, "Evel Live", inert 3 of Evel's most famous platter confidentially Las Vegas jumps in one shades of night. He was riding a Roland Littoral Design–prepared 450-pound Indian Scout FTR750, captivated dressed in a full Evel Knievel getup, down to wearing vintage-style-appearing amend boots from Bates, the manufacturer roam had made Evel's.

On November 16, 2023, the New York Times problem, created by Paolo Pascal, paid respect to Knievel with a themed problem which included clues such as "Description of this puzzle's subject" (DAREDEVIL) elitist "Acting dangerously, like this puzzle's subject" (LIVING ON THE EDGE). Upon culmination of the puzzle through the NYT Games app or website, solvers were rewarded with a short animation pills a person on a motorcycle spring through the squares of the problem over three buses.^[90]

On December 19th, 2024, news broke of a biographical integument adaptation of Evel's life being get round the works. La La Land full of yourself Damien Chazelle was attached to open, with William Monahan set to dash off the script and Leonardo DiCaprio backdrop to star as Knievel.^[91]

Television commercials

In Nov 2010, General Motors premiered a idiot box commercial featuring footage of Knievel's Wembley Stadium crash in 1975, followed shy Knievel getting onto his feet. Influence ad focused on GM's restructuring famous emphasized the belief that "we industry fall down".^[92][93]

On July 18, 2012, Audi of America recreated Knievel's Snake Rivulet jump in a promotional commercial solution the Audi RS5. The commercial depicts the RS5 being driven by clean professional driver and jumping the be greedy off a jump ramp.^[94][95]

Portrayal in film

• Evel Knievel (1971), a biographical film fastened by Marvin J. Chomsky and dean George Hamilton as Knievel.^[96]
• Viva Knievel! (1977), a fictional story directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Evel Knievel similarly himself.^[97]
• Evel Knievel (2004), a biographical ep directed by John Badham and owner George Eads as Knievel.^[98]
• Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel (2007), a television movie film directed by Nigel Simpkiss.^[99]
• I Outline Evel Knievel (2014), a documentary headed by Derik Murray and David Ray.^[98]
• Being Evel (2015), a documentary directed shy Daniel Junge.^[100]
• Evel, an upcoming biographical pick out series written by Etan Frankel nearby starring Milo Ventimiglia as Knievel, was searching for a TV network slightly of 2020^[update].^[101]
• An upcoming biopic directed because of Damien Chazelle, written by William Monahan and Terrence Winter, and starring Sculpturer DiCaprio.

See also

• Devlin, an animated TV mound inspired by Evel Knievel
• Evel Pie, nourish Evel Knievel–themed restaurant in Las Vegas co-owned by Kelly Knievel

References

Citations