Knievel, Evel (1938-2007), was an American entertainer and stuntman. He became internationally famous during the 1960’s and 1970’s for his spectacular daredevil jumps on motorcycles . Knievel broke dozens of bones attempting high-speed motorcycle jumps that ended in crashes.
Knievel’s stunts included separate attempts to soar over 50 stacked cars, 13 trucks, 13 buses, and an aquarium with 13 sharks. In 1967, Knievel tried to jump over the fountains of Caesar’s Palace resort in Las Vegas , Nevada, a distance of 141 feet (43 meters). The jump ended in a crash that left Knievel unconscious for a month. Another famous jump was an unsuccessful attempt in 1974 to cross the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in a steam-powered rocket. Knievel jumped 163 feet (50 meters) over 14 buses at Ohio’s Kings Island amusement park in 1975. This event was Knievel’s longest successful jump on a motorcycle.
Knievel generated vast amounts of publicity for his stunts, which often drew large television audiences. He was a skilled showman and self-promoter, often wearing a star-spangled jump suit in his public appearances.
Robert Craig Knievel, Jr., was born on Oct. 17, 1938, in Butte , Montana . He held a variety of jobs in his 20’s, including serving with the United States Army . However, he was attracted to thrill riding from childhood, and Knievel soon formed a touring show called Evel Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils. The group presented its first stunt exhibition on Jan. 23, 1966. After a few months, the show broke up, and Knievel performed one-man shows the rest of his career. The Caesar’s Palace event made him nationally famous.
Knievel retired as a performer in 1977 but continued making public appearances as a speaker. The biographical motion picture Evel Knievel starring George Hamilton in the title role was released in 1971. Knievel played himself in the action film Viva Knievel! (1977). Knievel died on Nov. 30, 2007.
