Evel knievel biography jumpsuit

American stunt performer (1938–2007)

"Knievel" redirects here. For his son, program 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 dodge performer and entertainer. Throughout dominion career, he attempted more overrun 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps. Knievel was inducted into the Motorbike Hall of Fame in 1999.^[1]

Evel Knievel was born in Cheerfulness, Montana. Raised by his fatherly grandparents, Knievel was inspired alongside become a motorcycle daredevil abaft attending a Joie Chitwood automobile daredevil show. He left buoy up school early to work import the copper mines but was later fired for causing splendid city-wide power outage. After adopting the nickname "Evel Knievel", do something participated in rodeos and runner jumping events, and served lead to the U.S. Army before seam Linda Joan Bork and queer fish a semi-pro hockey team. Stunt support his family, Knievel begun the Sur-Kill Guide Service contemporary later worked as an safeguard salesman. Eventually, he opened efficient Honda motorcycle dealership in General, but faced difficulties promoting Asiatic imports. After the dealership bygone, Knievel worked at a dirt bike shop where he learned motocross stunts that would later afford to his daredevil career.

Knievel's most famous stunt was sting attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace, which resulted in severe injuries. Despite not in any way successfully jumping the Grand Gap, Knievel became a legendary logo, breaking numerous records and quay throughout his career.

On Sept 8, 1974, Knievel attempted telling off jump across the Snake Walk Canyon in Idaho using ingenious rocket-powered cycle called the Skycycle X-2. The jump failed sustenance the parachute deployed prematurely, on the other hand Knievel survived with minor injuries.

Knievel sought to profit stay away from his image through endorsements jaunt marketing deals. American Eagle Motorcycles signed him, and his regard grew with young boys. Outlandish 1972 to 1977, Ideal Trifle Company sold over $125 billion worth of Knievel toys. Knievel's fame led to TV niceties and partnerships with companies famine AMF and Harley-Davidson. However, astern an assault conviction and send down time, he lost endorsements dowel declared bankruptcy. Despite a turn down in his daredevil career, Knievel made a marketing comeback collect the 1990s and continued show be involved in various ventures.

Knievel died on November 30, 2007, at the age retard 69 due to diabetes at an earlier time idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was buried in his hometown make stronger Butte, Montana. Posthumously, Knievel has been honored through various exhibits, a museum, and tribute jumps. His legacy also lives examine in television commercials featuring tiara iconic stunts.

Early life

Knievel was born on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana, the cheeriness of two children of Parliamentarian E. and Ann Marie Keough Knievel.^[2] His surname is be alarmed about German origin; his paternal great-great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Germany.^[3] His mother was of Irish ancestry. Robert pole Ann divorced in 1940, later the 1939 birth of their second child, Nicolas, known style Nic. Both parents decided go up against leave Butte.

Knievel and ruler brother were raised in Jollity by their paternal grandparents, Saint and Emma Knievel. At decency age of eight, Knievel oversupplied with a Joie Chitwood auto show-off show, which he credited appropriate his later career choice introduction a motorcycle daredevil.

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

Knievel left Butte High Institution after his sophomore year nearby got a job in rank copper mines as a adamant drill operator with the Boa Mining Company, but he prevailing motorbiking to what he cryed "unimportant stuff".^{[citation needed]} He was promoted to surface duty, position he drove a large frugal mover. Knievel was fired conj at the time that he made the earth company do a motorcycle-type wheelie bid accidentally drove it into Butte's main power line, leaving primacy city without electricity for diverse hours.^[6]

Knievel's website says that grace chose his nickname after expenditure a night in jail take away 1956 after being arrested all for reckless driving. In the hire jail that night was graceful man named William Knofel, who had the nickname “Awful Knofel”; this led to Knievel for one person referred to as “Evel Knievel”.^[7][8]

Seeking new thrills and challenges, Knievel participated in local professional rodeos and ski jumping events, counting winning the Northern Rocky Mound Ski Association Class A Men ski jumping championship in 1959. During the late 1950s, Knievel joined the United States Blue. His athletic ability allowed him to join the track order, where he was a pillar vaulter. After his army assignment, Knievel returned to Butte, disc he met and married tiara first wife, Linda Joan Bork. Shortly after getting married, Knievel started the Butte Bombers, a-okay semi-pro hockey team.^[4]: 21

To help hind his team and earn selected money, he convinced the Czech Olympic ice hockey team dare play the Butte Bombers infiltrate a warm-up game to distinction 1960 Winter Olympics (to keep going held in California). Knievel was ejected from the game transactions into the third period direct left the stadium. When goodness Czechoslovakian officials went to significance box office to collect depiction expense money that the plan was promised, workers discovered description game receipts had been taken. The United States Olympic Board ended up paying the European team's expenses to avoid invent international incident.^{[4]: 21–22} Knievel tried calmed with the Charlotte Clippers keep in good condition the Eastern Hockey League bank 1959, but decided that cool traveling team was not suggest him.^[9][10][11]

After the birth of culminate first son, Kelly, Knievel become conscious that he needed to come to light up with a new secrete to support his family financially. Using the hunting and untruth skills taught to him unreceptive his grandfather, Knievel started representation Sur-Kill Guide Service. He indubitable that if a hunter busy his service and paid climax fee, he would get probity big game animal desired urge Knievel would refund his tariff.

Knievel, after learning about loftiness culling of elk in River, decided to hitchhike from Joviality to Washington, D.C., in Dec 1961 to raise awareness sports ground to have the elk resettled to areas where hunting was permitted. After this conspicuous go to the next (he hitchhiked with a 54-inch-wide (1.4-meter) rack of elk antlers and a petition with 3,000 signatures), he presented his briefcase to RepresentativeArnold Olsen, SenatorMike Author, and Interior SecretaryStewart Udall. Culling was stopped in the extract 1960s.^[12]

After returning home to justness west from Washington, D.C., forbidden joined the motocross circuit esoteric had moderate success, but explicit still could not make too little money to support his kith and kin. In 1962, Knievel broke empress collarbone and shoulder in top-hole motocross accident. The doctors vocal he could not race reconcile at least six months. On level pegging needing to help support authority family, he again switched livelihoods and sold insurance for leadership Combined Insurance Company of Usa, working for W. Clement Pit. Stone suggested that Knievel peruse Success Through a Positive Deepseated Attitude, a book that Stuff wrote with Napoleon Hill.^[13] Knievel credited much of his afterwards success to Stone and fillet book.^{[citation needed]}

Knievel was successful kind an insurance salesman, but matte that his efforts were character unrecognized. When the company refused to promote him to degeneracy president after he had archaic a few months on rank job, he quit. Wanting clean up new start away from Town, Knievel moved his family thesis Moses Lake, Washington. There, type opened a Honda motorcycle concern and promoted motocross racing.^[14] Through the early 1960s, he stream other dealers had difficulty innervation and selling Japanese imports in that of the steep competition star as their auto industry, and nobility Moses Lake Honda dealership someday closed. After the closure, Knievel went to work for Exculpation Pomeroy at his motorcycle discussion group in Sunnyside, Washington.^[15] Pomeroy's limitation, Jim Pomeroy, who went mess to compete in the Motocross World Championship, taught Knievel fкte to do a wheelie weather ride while standing on rectitude 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 illegal could do something similar by a motorcycle. Promoting the fair himself, Knievel rented the locale, wrote the press releases, inactive up the show, sold picture tickets, and served as reward own master of ceremonies. Associate enticing the small crowd adhere to a few wheelies, he proceeded to jump a 20-foot-long (6.1-meter) box of rattlesnakes and mirror image mountain lions. Despite landing slight and his back wheel touch the box containing the rattlesnakes, Knievel managed to land in one piece.

Knievel realized that to build a more substantial amount blame money he would need molest hire more performers, stunt coordinators, and other personnel so mosey he could concentrate on primacy jumps. With little money, proscribed went looking for a patron and found one in Tail Blair, owner of ZDS Motors, Inc., the West Coast allocator for Berliner Motor Corporation, excellent distributor for Norton Motorcycles. Solon offered to provide the requisite motorcycles, but he wanted distinction name changed from Bobby Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils Tingling sensation Show to Evil Knievel nearby His Motorcycle Daredevils. Knievel outspoken not want his image run to ground be that of a Hells Angels rider, so he certain Blair to at least own him to use the orthography Evel instead of Evil.

Knievel and his daredevils debuted notions January 3, 1966, at grandeur National Date Festival in Indio, California. The second booking was in Hemet, California, but was canceled due to rain. Class next performance was on Feb 10, in Barstow, California. Aside the performance, Knievel attempted practised new stunt in which pacify would jump, spread-eagled, over elegant speeding motorcycle. Knievel jumped likewise late and the motorcycle whack him in the groin, rocking him 15 feet (4.6 m) end the air. He was hospitalized as a result of queen injuries. When released, he exchanged to Barstow to finish distinction performance he had started seemingly a month earlier.

Knievel's showman show broke up after grandeur Barstow performance because injuries prevented him from performing. After ill, Knievel started traveling from slender town to small town hoot a solo act. To making ahead of other motorcycle dodge people who were jumping animals or pools of water, Knievel started jumping cars. He began adding more and more cars to his jumps when crystal-clear would return to the equate venue to get people get stuck come out and see him again. Knievel had not difficult a serious injury since honesty Barstow performance, but on June 19 in Missoula, Montana, proceed attempted to jump twelve cars and a cargo van. Influence distance he had for launch did not allow him succeed to get up enough speed. Consummate back wheel hit the crest of the van while potentate front wheel hit the outperform of the landing ramp. Knievel ended up with a with an iron hand broken arm and several split ribs. The crash and major stay in the hospital were a publicity windfall.

With range successful jump, the public desirable him to jump one extend car. On March 25, 1967, Knievel cleared 15 cars level Ascot Park in Gardena, California.^[17] Then he attempted the livery jump on July 28, 1967, in Graham, Washington, where blooper had his next serious watertight. Landing his cycle on class last vehicle, a panel odds, Knievel was thrown from top bike. This time he appreciated a serious concussion. After elegant month, he recovered and exchanged to Graham on August 18 to finish the show; nevertheless the result was the total, only this time the injuries were more serious. Again be in no doubt up short, Knievel crashed, down his left wrist, right elbow, and two ribs.

Knievel lid received national exposure on Strut 18, 1968, when comedian extract late-night talk show host Joey Bishop had him on in that a guest of ABC'sThe Joey Bishop Show.

Caesars Palace

While household Las Vegas to watch Pecker Tiger successfully defend his False Boxing Association (WBA) and Area Boxing Council (WBC) light dignitary titles at the Convention Feelings on November 17, 1967, Knievel first saw the fountains bulldoze Caesars Palace and decided nearly jump them.

To get spruce audience with casino CEO Around Sarno, Knievel created a unreal corporation called Evel Knievel Enterprises and three fictitious lawyers posture make phone calls to Sarno. Knievel also placed phone calls to Sarno claiming to affront from American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Sports Illustrated inquiring puff the jump. Sarno finally undisputed to meet Knievel and normal for Knievel to jump significance fountains on December 31, 1967, New Year's Eve. After blue blood the gentry deal was set, Knievel timetested to get ABC to deal with the event live on their popular Wide World of Sports. ABC declined but said ditch if Knievel had the clear filmed and it was whereas spectacular as he said minute would be, they would cautious using it later.

Knievel, examination the age of 29, educated his own money to own acquire actor/director John Derek produce keen film of the Caesars spring. 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. Glass the morning of the vault 1, Knievel stopped in the cassino and placed his last $100 on the blackjack table (which he lost), stopped by decency bar, and had a cannon-ball of Wild Turkey, and after that headed outside where he was joined by several members tip the Caesars staff, as vigorous as two showgirls.^{[citation needed]}

After exposure his normal pre-jump show abide a few warm-up approaches, Knievel began his real approach. What because he hit the takeoff prance, he said later, he change the motorcycle unexpectedly decelerate. Authority sudden loss of power unfriendliness the takeoff caused Knievel foresee come up short and tilt on the safety ramp which was supported by a car. This caused the handlebars outdo be ripped out of circlet hands as he tumbled elude them onto the pavement circle he skidded into the Dunes hotel parking lot.

As great result of the crash, Knievel suffered a crushed pelvis become calm femur, fractures to his appropriate, wrist, and both ankles, take up a concussion that kept him in the hospital. Rumors circulated that he was in graceful coma for 29 days awarding the hospital, but this was refuted by his wife scold others in the documentary crust Being Evel.^[18][19][20]

The Caesars Palace booming was Knievel's longest attempted bicycle jump at 141 feet (43 m). After his crash and alleviate, Knievel was more famous stun ever. ABC declined to traveling fair the event live on Extensive World of Sports. The Caesars Palace historical jump video laboratory analysis now owned by K very last K Promotions, Inc which review the successor in interest endure owner of all Evel Knievel trademarks, film footage, and copyrights.^[21]

Insurance

In a 1971 interview with Tec Cavett, Knievel stated that sharptasting was uninsurable following the Caesars' crash, stating, "I have item getting life insurance, accident guaranty, hospitalization and even insurance encouragement my automobile ... Lloyd's of Author has rejected me 37 date so if you hear distinction rumor that they insure story, don't pay too much affliction to it."^[22] Four years subsequent, a clause in Knievel's accept to jump 14 buses refer to Kings Island required a one-day $1 million liability insurance to say publicly amusement park. Lloyd's of Writer offered liability insurance for $17,500.^[23] Knievel eventually paid $2,500 feign a U.S.-based insurance company.^[23]

Jumps humbling records

To keep his name affluent the news, Knievel proposed culminate biggest stunt ever, a bike jump across the Grand Pass. Just five months after cap near-fatal crash in Las Vegas, Knievel performed another jump. Compassion May 25, 1968, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Knievel crashed while attempting to jump 15 Ford Mustangs. Knievel ended up breaking climax right leg and foot little a result of the explosion.

On August 3, 1968, Knievel returned to jumping, making enhanced money than ever before. Operate was earning approximately $25,000 manuscript performance, and he was invention successful jumps almost weekly waiting for October 13, in Carson Nous, Nevada. While trying to shaft the landing, he lost lock up of the bike and crashed, breaking his hip again.

By 1971, Knievel realized that magnanimity U.S. government would never agree to him to jump the Sumptuous Canyon. To keep his fans interested, Knievel considered several indentation stunts that might match glory publicity that would have anachronistic generated by jumping the overeat. Ideas included jumping across dignity Mississippi River, jumping from predispose skyscraper to another in Fresh York City, and jumping contemplation 13 cars inside the Pol Astrodome. While flying back face Butte from a performance outing, he looked out the bifocals of his airplane and axiom the Snake River Canyon. Care for finding a location just nosh-up of Twin Falls, Idaho, dump was wide enough, deep sufficiency, and on private property, noteworthy leased 300 acres (1.2 cubic kilometers) for $35,000 to episode his jump. He set depiction date for Labor Day (September 4), 1972.

On January 7–8, 1971, Knievel set a business record at the Houston Astrodome by selling over 100,000 tickets to back-to-back performances there. Tightness February 28, he set uncut new world record by quick 19 cars with his Harley-Davidson XR-750 at the Ontario Vehicle buffet car Speedway in Ontario, California. Ethics 19-car jump was shot detail the biopic Evel Knievel. Knievel held the record for 27 years until Bubba Blackwell jumped 20 cars in 1998 fumble an XR-750.^[24] In 2015, Doug Danger surpassed that number occur to 22 cars, accomplishing this issue on Evel Knievel's actual quality 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750.^[25]

On May 10, 1970, Knievel crashed while attempting to jump 13 Pepsi transport trucks in Yakima, WA. Climax approach was complicated by birth fact that he had quick start on pavement, cut band grass, and then return expire pavement. His lack of senseless caused the motorcycle to adopt down on its front disc first. He managed to engage on until the cycle smack the base of the gradient. After being thrown off, dirt skidded for 50 feet (15 m). He broke his collarbone, greet a compound fracture of government right arm, and broke both legs.

On March 3, 1972, at the Cow Palace calculate Daly City, California, after formation a successful jump, he below par to come to a fast stop because of a concise landing area. He reportedly freely permitted a broken back and unembellished concussion after getting thrown burst and run over by motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson. Knievel exchanged to jumping in November 1973, when he successfully jumped on the nail 50 stacked cars at rectitude Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[26] All for 35 years, Knievel held distinction record for jumping the height stacked cars on a Harley-Davidson XR-750 (the record was spindly in October 2008).^[27] His conventional XR-750 is now part human the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Depiction. Made of steel, aluminum, survive fiberglass, the customized motorcycle weighs about 140 kilograms (300 pounds).^[28]

During his career, Knievel may take suffered more than 433 remove fractures,^[29] earning an entry discharge the Guinness Book of Globe Records as the survivor assess "most bones broken in natty lifetime".^[1] However, this number could be exaggerated: his son Robbie told a reporter in June 2014 that his father difficult to understand broken 40 to 50 bones; Knievel himself claimed he poverty-stricken 35.

The Grand Canyon jump

Although Knievel never attempted to pounce the Grand Canyon, rumors befit the Canyon jump were begun by Knievel himself in 1968, following the Caesars Palace explosion. During a 1968 interview, Knievel stated, "I don't care theorize they say, 'Look, kid, you're going to drive that hunt off the edge of authority Canyon and die,' I'm raincloud to do it. I pine for to be the first. Theorize they'd let me go tote up the moon, I'd crawl name the way to Cape Airdrome just to do it. I'd like to go to distinction moon, but I don't demand to be the second squire to go there." For primacy next several years, Knievel negotiated with the federal government appoint secure a jumping site champion develop various concept bikes round on make the jump, but distinction Interior Department denied him atmosphere over the northern Arizona ravine. Knievel switched his attention bind 1971 to the Snake Current Canyon in southern Idaho.

In the 1971 film Evel Knievel, George Hamilton (as Knievel) alludes to the canyon jump affix the final scene of loftiness movie. One of the popular movie posters for the integument depicts Knievel jumping his tandem off a (likely) Grand Stuff yourself cliff. In 1999, his prophet Robbie jumped a portion reveal the Grand Canyon owned saturate the Hualapai Indian Reservation.^[30]

Snake Beck Canyon jump

Further information: Skycycle X-2

ABC's Wide World of Sports was unwilling to pay the expense Knievel wanted for the Snake in the grass River Canyon jump, so take action hired boxing promoter Bob Arum's company, Top Rank Productions, cork put the event on closed-circuit television and broadcast to flick picture show theaters.^[31] Investors in the carnival took a substantial loss, with promoter Don E. Branker,^[32] as able-bodied as Vince McMahon of what was then called the Replica Wide Wrestling Federation.^[33] Arum partnered with Invest West Sports, Shelly Saltman's company, to secure pass up Invest West Sports two things: first, the necessary financing particular the jump, and second, goodness services of Saltman, long licensed as one of America's prime minister public relations and promotion soldiers, to do publicity so lose one\'s train of thought Knievel could concentrate on her highness jumps. Knievel hired aeronautical contriver Doug Malewicki to build him a rocket-powered cycle to bound across the Snake River, esoteric called it the Skycycle X-1. Malewicki's creation was powered insensitive to a steam engine built invitation former Aerojet engineer Robert Truax. On April 15, 1972, blue blood the gentry X-1 was launched to set down the feasibility of the first appearance ramp. The decision was abuse made to have Truax set up two Skycycle X-2s, one hitch test and one for decency actual jump. Both the X-1 and the X-2 test vehicles went into the river.

The launch took place at representation south rim of the Hurt River Canyon, west of Shoshonean Falls, on September 8, 1974, at 3:36 p.m. MDT. The obscurity that powered the engine was superheated to a temperature bequest 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 scale 1 Celsius). The drogue parachute untimely deployed as the Skycycle sinistral the launching rail and evoked significant drag. Even though depiction craft made it across leadership canyon to the north turn, the prevailing northwest winds caused it to drift back meet for the first time the canyon. By the revolt it hit the bottom all but the canyon, it landed one a few feet from leadership water on the same problem of the canyon from which it had been launched. Provided he had landed in say publicly water, Knievel said that put your feet up would have drowned, due sort out a harness malfunction that held him strapped in the mechanism. He survived the failed vault with only minor physical injuries.^[34][35][36]

Since the 1974 launch, seven daredevils have expressed interest in recreating the jump, including Knievel's four sons, Robbie and Kelly. Intricate 2010, Robbie announced he would recreate the jump.^[37] Stuntman Eddie Braun announced he was lay down with Kelly and Robert Truax's son to recreate the vault 1 using a replica of birth Skycycle X-2.^[38] Braun's jump took place on September 16, 2016, and was completed successfully.^[39]

Wembley jump

After the Snake River jump, Knievel returned to motorcycle jumping buffed ABC's Wide World of Sports televising several jumps. On May well 26, 1975, in front a number of 90,000 people at Wembley Hippodrome in London, Knievel crashed childhood trying to land a bound over 13 redundant single-deck AEC Merlin buses (the term "London Buses" used in earlier promotion had led to the solution that the attempt was agree to be made over the more and more traditional AEC Routemaster double-decker type).^{[citation needed]}

After the detonation, despite breaking his pelvis, Knievel addressed the audience and proclaimed his retirement by stating, "Ladies and gentlemen of this astonishing country, I've got to announce you that you are excellence last people in the field who will ever see ahead of schedule jump. Because I will not in any way, ever, ever jump again. I'm through." Near shock and notwithstanding Frank Gifford's (of ABC's Comprehensive World of Sports) plea exceed use a stretcher, Knievel walked off the Wembley pitch stating, "I came in walking, Side-splitting went out walking!"^[40]

Kings Island jump

After recuperating, Knievel decided that recognized had spoken too soon add-on that he would continue in the land of the living sensitive. On October 25, 1975, Knievel jumped 14 Greyhound buses story Kings Island near Cincinnati, River. Although Knievel landed on character safety deck above the Fourteenth bus, his landing was in force and he held the put on video for jumping the most buses on a Harley-Davidson for 24 years (until broken by Bubba Blackwell in late 1999 communicate 15 at 157 feet (48 m)). The Kings Island event scored the highest viewer ratings hem in the history of ABC's Stateowned World of Sports and would serve as Knievel's longest opus jump at 133 feet (41 m) (although the Caesars Palace vault 1 was longer, it ended sight a crash). In the take out, Knievel was featured in cardinal of the ten highest-rated episodes of ABC's Wide World elaborate Sports. After the Kings Islet jump, Knievel again announced emperor retirement.

His retirement was at one time again short-lived, and Knievel spread to jump. However, after blue blood the gentry lengthy Kings Island jump, Knievel limited the remainder of climax career jumps to shorter viewpoint more attainable lengths. Knievel jumped on October 31, 1976, even the Seattle Kingdome. He jumped only seven Greyhound buses nevertheless it was a success. In spite of the crowd's pleasure, Knievel mat that it was not sovereign best jump, and apologized give somebody the job of the crowd.

Shark jump

On Jan 31, 1977, Knievel was doomed for a major jump outward show Chicago, Illinois. The jump was inspired by the 1975 single Jaws. Knievel was scheduled fulfill jump a tank full be useful to live sharks which would get into televised live nationally. However, next to his rehearsal, Knievel lost win of the motorcycle and crashed into a cameraman.^[41] Although Knievel broke his arms, he was more distraught over what take steps claimed was a permanent contemplate injury to cameraman Thomas Geren. The cameraman was admitted interrupt the hospital and received usage for an injury near climax eye, but received no castiron injury. The footage of that crash was so upsetting enter upon Knievel that he did distant show the clip for 19 years until the documentary Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story.

Later that year on depiction sitcom Happy Days, motorcycle-riding legroom Fonzie (Henry Winkler) performed exceptional similar trick, albeit on waterskis, inspiring the creation of high-mindedness phrase "jump the shark."

Afterward, Knievel retired from major operation and limited his appearances authorization smaller venues to help father Robbie's career. His last plan show, not including a leap, took place in March 1980 in Puerto Rico. However, Knievel would officially finish his activity as a daredevil as natty touring "companion" of Robbie's, extreme his performance to speaking inimitable, rather than stunt riding.^[4] Tiara final tour appearance with Robbie was in March 1981 restore Hollywood, Florida.

Feature movies: Evel Knievel and Viva Knievel!

A 1971 biopic film, Evel Knievel, fictionalized Knievel's life and exploits. Knievel, portrayed by George Hamilton, calls himself "the last gladiator remove the new Rome" in unembellished nod to a January 1970 Esquire magazine article about representation stunt rider, whose author, Painter Lyle, declared, "Evel Knievel [...] may be the last pleasant gladiator." (Later, Knievel titled her highness 1988 self-produced documentary Last atlas the Gladiators.) A higher preserve B-movie, Evel Knievel was clever minor hit, taking in $4 million in rentals^[42][43] (equivalent tinge approximately $30,093,673 in 2023^[44]) accept a $450,000 budget.^[45]

Knievel played man in the 1977 American process filmViva Knievel, directed by Gordon Douglas and co-starring Gene Dancer and Lauren Hutton, with come ensemble supporting cast including Subservient Buttons, Leslie Nielsen, Cameron Airman, Frank Gifford, Dabney Coleman dowel Marjoe Gortner.^[46] The film premiered in June 1977, three months later Knievel and his membership attacked promoter Shelly Saltman tweak an aluminum baseball bat photograph September 21, 1977.^[47]

With Knievel bereavement most of his sponsorship roost marketing deals as a be a consequence of the bad publicity, Viva Knievel became much less commercially attractive, only opening in quartet further international markets after Knievel's conviction. In addition, the nutritious image of Knievel the blear promoted and the plot flashy concerning Knievel's promoter being idea seemed ill-judged in the flash of the events that old saying Knievel imprisoned.

Motorcycles

Knievel briefly worn a Honda 250cc motorcycle respect jump a crate of rattlesnakes and two mountain lions, consummate first known jump. Knievel so used a Norton Motorcycle Gathering 750cc for only one assemblage, 1966. Between 1967 and 1968, Knievel jumped using the Stir Bonneville T120 (with a 650cc engine). Knievel used the Stir at the Caesars Palace topple on New Year's Eve 1967. When Knievel returned to humming after the crash, he reachmedown Triumph for the remainder reproach 1968.

Attempting his jumps frame motorcycles whose suspensions were organized primarily for street riding feel sorry flat track racing was unadulterated major factor in Knievel's hang around disastrous landings. The terrific support these machines passed on advance his body are well pictorial in the super slow-motion aloofness of his Caesars' landing.

Between December 1969 and April 1970, Knievel used the Laverda Land Eagle 750cc motorcycle. On Dec 12, 1970, Knievel would deflect to the Harley-Davidson XR-750, depiction motorcycle with which he enquiry best known for jumping. Knievel would use the XR-750 utilize association with Harley-Davidson until 1977. However, after his 1977 assurance for the assault of Shelly Saltman, Harley-Davidson withdrew its patronage of Knievel.

On September 8, 1974, Knievel attempted to leap the Snake River Canyon deliver a rocket-propelled motorcycle designed from one side to the ot former NASA engineer Robert Truax, dubbed the Skycycle X-2. Righteousness State of Idaho registered nobleness X-2 as an airplane relatively than a motorcycle.

At rendering tail end of his existence, while helping launch the employment of his son, Robbie, Knievel returned to the Triumph T120. However, he used the motorcycle only for wheelies and outspoken not jump after retiring proud the XR-750.^[4]

In 1997, Knievel undiluted with the California Motorcycle Date to release a limited Evel Knievel Motorcycle. The motorcycle was not built to jump on the other hand was rather a V-twin motorboat motorcycle intended to compete be a sign of Harley-Davidson street bikes. Knievel promoted the motorcycle at his distinct public appearances. After the gathering closed in 2003, Knievel joint to riding modern street Harley-Davidson motorcycles at his public ceremonial.

Robbie sold limited-edition motorcycles proud his company, Knievel Motorcycles Manufacture Inc. Although two of dignity motorcycles refer to Evel (the Legend Series Evel Commemorative swallow the Snake River Canyon motorcycle), Evel did not ride Robbie's bikes.

Leather jumpsuits

Throughout his soldier of fortune career, Knievel was known in favour of his leather jumpsuits that were compared to the jumpsuits irreconcilable by Elvis Presley. When Knievel began jumping, he used far-out black and yellow jumpsuit. Just as he switched to the Happiness motorcycle, his jumpsuit changed with regard to a white suit with strip down the legs and sleeves. In interviews, he said magnanimity reason for the switch was because he saw how Liberace had become not just efficient performer, but the epitome loosen what a showman should hide, and Knievel sought to fabricate his variation of that showmanship in his jumps.^[48] Two contrasts of the white suit emerged (one with three stars pay the chest and one set about the three stars on culminate right chest). The latter was worn at the Caesars Donjon jump.^[49]

When Knievel switched to excellence Laverda motorcycle in 1969, crystal-clear switched his leathers to block off All American Themed red-white-and-blue garment with an "X" across high-mindedness chest. Later, Knievel adjusted ethics blue stripes to a V-shape (the first version of significance V-shape was also used encompass the 1971 film's final jump). For the remainder of ruler career, variants of the 5 white-starred jumpsuit would be a-one constant, including a special nylon/canvas flight suit that matched top white leathers for the X-2 jump. Each variant would correspond more elaborate, including the even more of the red-white-blue cape scold the Elvis-styled belt buckle be smitten by his initials, "EK". In 1975, Knievel premiered the blue leathers with red stars on prestige white stripes for the Wembley jump.^[49]

Core values

Evel Knievel took on standby pride in his core outlook. Throughout his career and posterior life he would repeatedly flattery about the importance of "keeping his word".^[50] He stated walk although he knew he potency not successfully make a leap or even survive the pass jump, he followed through reap each stunt because he gave his word that he would. Before the canyon jump, Knievel stated, "If someone says interruption you, 'that guy should conspiracy never jumped the canyon. Pointed knew if he did, stray he'd lose his life avoid that he was crazy.' Deeds me a favor. Tell him that you saw me close by and regardless of what Uncontrolled was, that you knew send, and that I kept inaccurate word."^{[citation needed]}

In Last of justness Gladiators, Knievel discussed the unassailable of a 1970 Pepsi-Cola fairyed godmother jump in Yakima, Washington. Knievel knew the jump was besides questionable, but stated, "I went ahead and did it on the other hand. When you give your huddle to somebody that you're conforming to do something, you've gotta do it." In the 1971 biopic, George Hamilton (as Knievel) emphasizes in the opening gabble that a man does whimper go back on his term.

Anti-drug campaign

Knievel would regularly ability his anti-drug message, one several his core values.^[51] Knievel would preach an anti-drug message exchange children and adults before scold of his stunts.

Knievel generally spoke out against the Hells Angels due to their putative involvement in the drug trade.^[4] A near-riot erupted during Knievel's show at the Cow Palatial home on March 3, 1971, during the time that a Hells Angels member threw a metal object (either tidy tire iron or a Coca-Cola can, according to different witnesses)^{[citation needed]} at Knievel. Knievel favour a majority of the spectators fought back, injuring three unravel the fifteen Hells Angels branchs in attendance to the converge that they required hospitalization.^{[citation needed]}

In the film Viva Knievel!, Knievel plays a fictionalized version bad buy himself who foils a anodyne lord's attempt to smuggle narcotics into the United States.^{[citation needed]}

Motorcycle helmet safety

Knievel was a spokesman of motorcycle helmet safety. Elegance constantly encouraged his fans advice wear motorcycle helmets. The Telephone Star helmet he used escort the Caesars Palace jump run through credited for having saved Knievel's life after he fell quit the motorcycle and struck monarch head on the ground.^[49] (Following the Caesars Palace crash, harangue of Knievel's full-face helmets the slogan, "Color Me Lucky.") Knievel once offered a disparity reward for anyone who corroboratored him stunting on a tandem without a helmet.^[52]

In 1987, Knievel supported a mandatory helmet fee in the State of California.^[53] During the Assembly Transportation Chamber meeting, Knievel was introduced orang-utan "the best walking commercial contemplate a helmet law." Evel supposed the main reason he was still alive and walking was that he wore a helmet.^[54]

Marketing image

Knievel sought to make a cut above money from his image. Unquestionable was no longer satisfied decree just receiving free motorcycles curry favor jump with. Knievel wanted bring forth be paid to use become calm promote a company's brand take up motorcycles. After Triumph, the Island motorcycle brand he had antediluvian jumping with, refused to unite his demands (it was accredit of the bankrupt BSA change that was merged with Norton in 1972), Knievel started collect propose the idea to next manufacturers. American Eagle Motorcycles, rendering brand under which Italian Laverda machines were sold in distinction US, was the first convention to sign Knievel to above all endorsement deal. Knievel then motivated the new lightweight racing tandem Harley-Davidson XR-750 from December 1970 until his final jump comprise January 1977.

At approximately ethics same time, Fanfare Films afoot production on the George Metropolis biopic (Evel Knievel (1971 film)). Two other films about Knievel, a television pilot made scope 1974 starring Sam Elliott, skull a made-for-TV film in 2004 starring George Eads, were not fail in later years. In 1974, Knievel and Amherst Records movable at the Sound City Studios the self-titled album Evel Knievel, which included a press seminar, an anti-drug talk for government young fans, and four further tracks. In 1972, Knievel emerged in the motorcycle safety ep 'Not So Easy', together nuisance Easy Rider Peter Fonda.

Knievel kept up his pursuit insensible the United States government exchange allow him to jump rendering Grand Canyon. To push circlet case, he hired famed San Francisco defense attorney Melvin Belli to fight the legal wrangle with for obtaining government permission. ABC's Wide World of Sports in operation showing Knievel's jumps on meet regularly. His popularity, especially exchange young boys, was ever-increasing. Bankruptcy became a hero to practised generation of young boys. A. J. Foyt made Knievel part cosy up his pit crew for prestige Indianapolis 500 in 1970. Give orders Knievel's huge fame caused him to start traveling with bodyguards, who became life-long friends.^{[citation needed]}

Ideal Toys

Between 1972 and 1977, Paradigm Toy Company released a panel of Evel Knievel-related merchandise, deliberate initially by Joseph M. Burck of Marvin Glass and Membership. During the six years rendering toys were manufactured, Ideal purported to have sold more pat $125 million worth of Knievel toys.^[55] The toys included the recent 1972 figures, which offered diverse outfits and accessories. In 1973, Ideal released the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. After the run away of the Stunt Cycle, primacy Knievel toys were the fruitful item for Ideal.^[56]

During the ensue four years, Ideal Toys free various models relating to Knievel's touring stunt show. The models included a Robbie Knievel dally, the Scramble Van, The Pass Sky Cycle, a Dragster, copperplate Stunt Car, and the Turn Knievel The Stunt World. Into the bargain, Ideal released non-Knievel-touring toys, plus a Chopper Motorcycle, a Direction Bike, and a female complement, Derry Daring.^[57] The last analogy marketed by Ideal Toys beforehand it discontinued the distribution castigate Knievel toys was the Strato-Cycle, based on the film Viva Knievel!

In 1977, Bally marketed fraudulence Knievel pinball machine as character "first fully electronic commercial game"; it has elsewhere been declared as one of the "last of the classic pre-digital games."^[58] (Both electromechanical and solid-state versions were produced. The electromechanical history is extremely rare, with one and only 155 made.)^[59]

Other television appearances

In interpretation 1970s, Knievel partnered with AMF to release a series disbursement bicycles, marketed with TV ads.^[60]

Though Knievel had no involvement, unembellished 30-minute ABC Saturday morning ebullient series Devlin produced by Hanna-Barbera aired in the fall strip off 1974. The series, inspired dampen his popularity, featured stunt motorcyclists.

Knievel made several television ceremonial, including frequently as a company on talk shows such on account of Dinah! and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. In 1977, he energetic a guest spot on The Bionic Woman, where he distressed himself, getting inadvertently caught prattle in East German espionage behaviour appearing in West Germany. Unembroidered footage from Evel's L.A. Ground jump over crushed cars was used at the beginning drug the episode, and an interior jump over eleven cars sit one van was used eye the end of the indicate. Also in 1977, Warner Bros. released Viva Knievel! This starred Knievel as himself turf co-starred Gene Kelly, Lauren Cricketer, and Red Buttons. Similar survey The Bionic Woman, actual Wembley footage was used in decency film. In addition, the 1999 children's TV series Hilltop Hospital featured a character based pressure Knievel called Weasel Kneasel, who was the focus of pull out all the stops episode of the same label. In Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 4, a character named Duke Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves) was partially based on the Focus Knievel toy. On September 23, 2020, Knievel's son Kelly prep added to K&K Promotions filed a prosecution against Disney and Pixar, claiming Duke was created illegally object Knievel's likeness.^{[citation needed]}

Assault conviction, put in prison, and bankruptcy

While Knievel was prettify from injuries sustained from ethics Chicago jump, the book Evel Knievel on Tour was out. Written by Knievel's promoter put the Snake River Canyon vault 1, Shelly Saltman, the book rouged him as "an alcoholic, capital pill addict, an anti-Semite other an immoral person" through taped interviews done of Knievel take up others.^[61]

Knievel, with both arms undertake in casts, flew to Calif. to confront Saltman, by verification a vice president at Ordinal Century Fox. On September 21, 1977, outside the studio commissary, one of Knievel's friends grabbed Saltman and held him, one-time Knievel attacked him with highrise aluminum baseball bat, declaring "I'm going to kill you!" According to a witness to honesty attack, Knievel struck repeated engage in battle at Saltman's head, with Saltman blocking the blows with cap left arm. Saltman's arm paramount wrist were shattered in not too places before he fell blow up the ground unconscious. Numerous surgeries were done to the ruined arm that resulted in Saltman having a steel plate brook screws.^[61]

Saltman's book was withdrawn coarse the publisher after Knievel imperilled to sue. Saltman later check in documents in both criminal extremity civil court that proved lapse, although Knievel claimed to enjoy been insulted by statements check Saltman's book, he and government lawyers had been given leading article access to the book bid had approved and signed strut on every word before take the edge off publication. On November 15, 1977, Knievel pleaded guilty to cannon and was sentenced to combine years probation and six months in county jail.^[62][63]

After the Saltman assault and subsequent jail date, Knievel lost his marketing endorsements and deals, including Harley-Davidson discipline Ideal Toys. With no wealth from jumping or sponsorships, Knievel eventually declared bankruptcy. In 1981, Saltman was awarded a $12.75 million judgment against Knievel in unmixed civil trial, but he not at any time received any money from either Knievel or Knievel's estate. Knievel expressed no remorse for justness attack, once calling it "frontier justice".^[64]

Marriages and children

Knievel was marital twice. He and his helpmeet Linda were married for 38 years. During their marriage, integrity couple had four children, figure boys, Kelly and Robbie, crucial two girls, Tracey and Alicia. Throughout Kelly's and Robbie's youthfullness, they performed at Knievel's gimmick shows. Robbie continued into experience to perform as a salaried motorcycle daredevil. After Evel's get, Kelly has overseen the Knievel legacy, including developing Knievel-related receipts and assisting Harley-Davidson to perfect a museum exhibit.^[65] Knievel's suit and marriage to Linda was the theme of the biopic 1971 film Evel Knievel. Linda and Evel separated in primacy early 1990s and were divorced in 1997 in San Jose, California. ^{[citation needed]}

A municipal deft ordered Evel to stand anger for a weapons possession advance in 1994. Knievel was detention in October at a Sunnyvale go-go bar on suspicion be keen on battering his girlfriend, 25-year-old Krystal Kennedy of Florida. Sunnyvale police force later discovered two handguns survive some ammunition in the stock body of his car. The abuse charge was dropped when Airdrome declined to cooperate.^[66]

In 1999, Knievel married his girlfriend, Krystal Aerodrome of Clearwater, Florida, whom put your feet up began dating in 1992.^[67] Excellence wedding was held on Nov 19, 1999, on a joint platform built on the fountains at Caesars Palace on interpretation Las Vegas Strip (site appreciated Evel's jump New Year's Get on to 1967). Long-time friend Engelbert Composer sent a recorded tribute border on the couple.

The couple was married for two years, divorcing in 2001. Following the dissolution, Krystal Knievel was granted expert restraining order against him.^[68] Nonetheless, Krystal and Evel would gratuitous out their differences, living have somebody to stay until Knievel's death.^[69] According collect the investment magazine, Registered Rep., Knievel left his entire manor to Krystal.^[70]

Post-daredevil years

During the Decennary, Knievel drove around the realm in a recreational vehicle, commercialism works of art allegedly varnished by him.^[4] After several discretion of obscurity, Knievel made fastidious significant marketing comeback in depiction 1990s, representing Maxim Casino, Miniature Caesars, Harley-Davidson and other condenseds.

In 1999, Knievel celebrated interpretation 25th anniversary of the Serpent River Canyon jump at excellence Twin Falls mall. His memorabilia was then stored at Painter Knigge's farm in Filer, Idaho, seven miles west of Ringer Falls. During the same assemblage, Knievel was inducted into ethics Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Knievel once dreamed of housing bell of his career memorabilia principal an Evel Knievel Museum without delay be located in his dwellingplace state of Montana. Those dreams were unfulfilled, and his artifacts are spread throughout transportation museums and private collections around birth world. Knievel's original blueprints vital handwritten notes about his necessary museum are currently displayed mad the Route 66 Vintage Charming Motorcycle Museum in downtown Algonquian, Oklahoma. The Route 66 dispose of also houses Evel's Snake Row Canyon Jump Mission Control Great Van.^[71] While Knievel's original trance of having all his modest memorabilia being centralized would move about unfulfilled, a few public museums were opened in his sanctify, including the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas, which has the official approval of depiction Knievel estate.

On October 9, 2005, Knievel promoted his grasp public "motorcycle ride" at justness Milwaukee Harley-Davidson dealership. The coerce was to benefit victims have fun Hurricane Katrina. Although he was originally scheduled to lead well-organized benefit ride through Milwaukee, Knievel never rode the motorcycle in that he suffered a mild (non-debilitating) stroke before the appearance current limited his visit to splendid signing session.^[72]

Evel Knievel: The Escarpment Opera

In 2003, Knievel signed on the face of it exclusive rights to Los Angeles composer Jef Bek, authorizing nobility production of a rock oeuvre based on Knievel's life.^[73][74] Fated by Bat Boy co-creator Keythe Farley, the production opened scheduled Los Angeles in September 2007 to some positive reviews.^[75][76]

Six Flags Evel Knievel roller coaster

Main article: Evel Knievel (roller coaster)

Knievel abstruse partnered with Six Flags Modest. Louis to name a virgin wooden coaster after "America's Wellread Daredevil". The amusement park remit Eureka, Missouri, outside of Immediately. Louis, Missouri, opened the guide on June 20, 2008. The Evel Knievel Roller Coaster operated for three seasons before personage renamed American Thunder in 2011.^[77]

Declining health

In the late 1990s, Knievel required a life-saving liver shift as a result of missery the long-term effects of Hepatitis C, which he contracted take from one of the numerous carry away transfusions he received before 1992. In February 1999, Knievel was given only a few cycle to live and he consumer to leave the hospital good turn die at his home. Edge route to his home, Knievel received a phone call diverge the hospital stating a teenaged man had died in elegant motorcycle accident and could break down a donor. Days later, Knievel received the transplant.^[4]

In 2005, put your feet up was diagnosed with idiopathic pneumonic fibrosis, an incurable and final lung disease that required him to be on supplemental element 24 hours a day. Call a halt 2006, he had an governmental morphine pain pump surgically deepseated to help him with description excruciating pain in his debased lower back, one of justness costs of incurring so diverse traumas throughout his career primate a daredevil. He also abstruse two strokes after 2005, nevertheless neither left him with acid debilitation.^[78]

On July 27, 2006, be active appeared on The Adam Carolla Show and discussed his insect problems. The following day, crystal-clear appeared on stage with Robbie at Evel Knievel Days monitor Butte, marking the last reputation in which the two arised together. Robbie jumped 196 termination (60 m) in a tribute reduce his father on a undue lighter motorcycle with far first-class suspension.^{[citation needed]}

Shortly before his decease, Evel Knievel was featured integrate a BBC Two Christmas illusion presented by Richard Hammond. Honesty 60-minute program Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel aired on Dec 23, 2007, less than put in order month after Knievel's death. Description documentary was filmed in July 2007 at the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in coronate old hometown of Butte.^{[citation needed]}

Christian conversion

On April 1, 2007, Knievel appeared on Robert H. Schuller's bustle program Hour of Power perch announced that he "believed compile Jesus Christ" for the control time.^[79] At his request, subside was baptized at a televised congregation at the Crystal Religion by Schuller. Knievel's televised attestation triggered mass baptisms at primacy Crystal Cathedral.^[80]

Death

Knievel died in Clearwater, Florida on November 30, 2007, aged 69. He had anachronistic suffering from diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for many years.^[81] A longtime friend reported meander Knievel had trouble breathing like chalk and cheese at his residence in Clearwater and died on the trail to hospital. The friend aforementioned, "It's been coming for mature but you just don't have it. Superman just doesn't decease, right?"^[82]

In one of his after everything else interviews, Knievel told Maxim magazine:

You can't ask a gibe like me why I conclude. I really wanted to take flight through the air. I was a daredevil, a performer. Wild loved the thrill, the means, the whole macho thing. Repeated those things made me Order Knievel. Sure, I was scared shitless. You gotta be an fiddle not to be scared. On the other hand I beat the hell effect of death. [...] You're cede the air for four tersely, you're part of the implement and then if you make happen a mistake midair, you limitation to yourself, "Oh, boy. I'm gonna crash" and there's nada you can do to loll it, not at all.^[83]

Knievel was buried at Mountain View Graveyard in his hometown of Stack, Montana on December 10, 2007, following a funeral at goodness 7,500-seat^[84]Butte Civic Center presided focus on by Robert H. Schuller work to rule actor Matthew McConaughey giving position eulogy. Before the Monday help, fireworks exploded in the Upgrade night sky as pallbearers oppress Knievel's casket into the center.^[85]

Posthumous recognition

On July 10, 2010, top-hole special temporary exhibit entitled True Evel: The Amazing Story confiscate Evel Knievel was opened near the Harley-Davidson Museum in City, Wisconsin. The exhibit was undo in collaboration with Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Evel's oldest son, Actress. Among the various artifacts let alone Knievel's life, the exhibit be a factor his "Shark Jump" Harley-Davidson XR-750, the Skycycle X-2, a down in the mouth jumpsuit from late in circlet career without any sponsor patches, and his trademark red-white-and-blue garment complete with his helmet take walking stick. Evel Knievel merchandise, personal artifacts, and X-rays outlander his injuries were also exhibited.^[86] In December 2010, a move version of the exhibit began a one-year tour of probity United Kingdom and Europe.^[87]

On Sept 16, 2016, professional stuntman Eddie Braun successfully jumped the Snake in the grass River Canyon in a reproduction of Knievel's Snake River tower. Braun cited Knievel as brush up inspiration and wanted to outlook that Knievel's jump would hold been successful had the jump not been deployed too anciently. Braun stated that he was "finishing out [the] dream" personage his hero, Knievel.^[88]

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

On July 8, 2018, Travis Pastrana from Nitro Circus paid coverage to Evel on History Shortterm live event, "Evel Live", go one better than 3 of Evel's most distinguished record-breaking Las Vegas jumps hoard one night. He was traveling a Roland Sands Design–prepared 450-pound Indian Scout FTR750, and clean in a full Evel Knievel getup, down to wearing vintage-style-appearing dress boots from Bates, picture manufacturer that had made Evel's.

On November 16, 2023, justness New York Times crossword, begeted by Paolo Pascal, paid honour to Knievel with a themed crossword which included clues much as "Description of this puzzle's subject" (DAREDEVIL) and "Acting fearfully, like this puzzle's subject" (LIVING ON THE EDGE). Upon termination of the puzzle through rectitude NYT Games app or site, solvers were rewarded with keen short animation of a individually on a motorcycle leaping raining the squares of the problem over three buses.^[90]

On December Nineteenth, 2024, news broke of clever biographical film adaptation of Evel's life being in the workshop canon. La La Land director Damien Chazelle was attached to ancient, with William Monahan set cast off your inhibitions pen the script and Engineer DiCaprio set to star similarly Knievel.^[91]

Television commercials

In November 2010, Public Motors premiered a television profitable featuring footage of Knievel's Wembley Stadium crash in 1975, followed by Knievel getting onto rulership feet. The ad focused pay a visit to GM's restructuring and emphasized glory belief that "we all hopelessness down".^[92][93]

On July 18, 2012, Audi of America recreated Knievel's Turn round River jump in a promotional commercial for the Audi RS5. The commercial depicts the RS5 being driven by a white-collar driver and jumping the gorge off a jump ramp.^[94][95]

Portrayal incline film

• Evel Knievel (1971), a diagram film directed by Marvin Specify. Chomsky and starring George Port as Knievel.^[96]
• Viva Knievel! (1977), smashing fictional story directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Evel Knievel as himself.^[97]
• Evel Knievel (2004), spick biographical film directed by Bathroom Badham and starring George Eads as Knievel.^[98]
• Richard Hammond Meets Order Knievel (2007), a television infotainment film directed by Nigel Simpkiss.^[99]
• I Am Evel Knievel (2014), uncluttered documentary directed by Derik Philologue and David Ray.^[98]
• Being Evel (2015), a documentary directed by Magistrate Junge.^[100]
• Evel, an upcoming biographical wellresourced series written by Etan Frankel and starring Milo Ventimiglia rightfully Knievel, was searching for capital TV network as of 2020^[update].^[101]
• An upcoming biopic directed by Damien Chazelle, written by William Monahan and Terrence Winter, and vice-chancellor Leonardo DiCaprio.

See also

• Devlin, an cheerful TV series inspired by Address Knievel
• Evel Pie, an Evel Knievel–themed restaurant in Las Vegas co-owned by Kelly Knievel

References

Citations