Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel was an American motorcycle daredevil and stunt performer known for highly publicized ramp-to-ramp jumps and other dangerous motorcycle stunts.

Evel Knievel was an American motorcycle daredevil known for his dangerous stunts in the 1960s and 1970s. His real name was Robert Craig Knievel Jr., and he became a major entertainment figure of his era.

Who was Evel Knievel?

Born in Butte, Montana, in 1938, Knievel worked various jobs before turning to stunt performance. He launched his public stunt career in 1965, quickly building a reputation for ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps over vehicles and other obstacles.

His most famous stunts

Knievel gained national attention for his 1968 Caesars Palace fountains jump (which ended in a crash), the Wembley Stadium bus jump, and the 1974 Snake River Canyon attempt using the steam-powered Skycycle X-1. These events solidified his status as a 1970s showman.

Later life and legacy

Knievel remained associated with stunt entertainment into later life. He died in Clearwater, Florida, on November 30, 2007, at age 69. His televised performances were widely watched across North America, including Canada, making him a cultural icon of the decade.