I'm through." The motorcycle ace, who earned a 145million fortune, died on Friday with pitifully little left in the bank after a long battle with the American taxman, according to a friend. Chris Martin (46) 1977. To date, he has completed over 350 jumps, including 20 world records. To keep his name in the news, Knievel proposed his biggest stunt ever, a motorcycle jump across the Grand . Knievel used the Triumph at the Caesars Palace crash on New Year's Eve 1967. The latter was worn at the Caesars Palace jump. In the end, Knievel was featured in seven of the ten highest-rated episodes of ABC's Wide World of Sports. Edit Search New Search Filters (1) To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. Producer: Stuntman. After his conspicuous trek (he hitchhiked with a 54-inch-wide (1.4-meter) rack of elk antlers and a petition with 3,000 signatures), he presented his case to Representative Arnold Olsen, Senator Mike Mansfield, and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall. [3] Knievel began jumping his bicycle when he was four years old and learnt how to ride motorcycles by the age of seven. He became a hero to a generation of young boys. K&K Promotions. On March 25, 1967, Knievel cleared 15 cars at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. Knievel, portrayed by George Hamilton, calls himself "the last gladiator in the new Rome" in a nod to a January 1970 Esquire magazine article about the stunt rider, whose author, David Lyle, declared, "Evel Knievel [] may be the last great gladiator." . Knievel jumped on October 31, 1976, at the Seattle Kingdome. He was riding a Roland Sands Designprepared 450-pound Indian Scout FTR750, and dressed in a full Evel Knievel getup, down to wearing vintage-style-appearing dress boots from Bates, the manufacturer that had made Evel's. 1937). Robbie Knievel cause of death, wife, net worth, parents, age, and other facts. On May 10, 1970, Knievel crashed while attempting to jump 13 Pepsi delivery trucks in Yakima, WA. [59] According to the investment magazine, Registered Rep., Knievel left his entire estate to Krystal.[60]. 5, May 1988, Associated Press, "Christmas Is Year-Round Business for Toymakers", The Times-News, February 14, 1977, Associated Press, "And Then There's Evel Promoters Cashing In", The Evening Independent, August 15, 1974, Harbor, Phillip, "Audi Tries to Jump Snake River Canyon in Evel Knievel Tribute", CarBuzz, September 12, 2012, Learn how and when to remove this template message, more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps, "Proof: Evel Knievel Tried Out With The Charlotte Clippers", "Hockey Has a Checkered History in the Queen City", "Evel Knievel, 69, Daredevil on a Motorcycle, Dies", "Evel Knievel's first jump on wide world of sport", "Evel Knievel: Triumph Over The Fountains At Caesars Palace", "Doug Danger Breaks Knievel's Record Daredevil jumps 22 cars at Sturgis, on Evel Knievel's 1972 Harley XR750", "Success! [71] A longtime friend reported that Knievel had trouble breathing while at his residence in Clearwater, but died on the way to the hospital. [1] However, this number could be exaggerated: his son Robbie told a reporter in June 2014 that his father had broken 40 to 50 bones; Knievel himself claimed he broke 35. Robert Craig Knievel (/ k n i v l /; October 17, 1938 - November 30, 2007), known professionally as Evel Knievel, was an American stunt performer and entertainer. In Last of the Gladiators, Knievel discussed the crash of a 1970 Pepsi-Cola sponsored jump in Yakima, Washington. During the next four years, Ideal Toys released various models relating to Knievel's touring stunt show. In addition, the 1999 children's TV series Hilltop Hospital featured a character based on Knievel called Weasel Kneasel, who was the focus of an episode of the same name. Written by Knievel's promoter for the Snake River Canyon jump, Shelly Saltman, the book painted an unflattering picture of Knievel's character, alleging that he abused his wife and children and used drugs. In the 1971 film Evel Knievel, George Hamilton (as Knievel) alludes to the canyon jump in the final scene of the movie. In 1997, Knievel signed with the California Motorcycle Company to release a limited Evel Knievel Motorcycle. RELATED:Robbie Knievel cause of death, wife, net worth, parents, age, and other facts. Even his son Robbie, himself a motorcycle stuntman, joked about his father's womanizing at the funeral, telling his mother Linda, who was married to Evel for 38 years, and Knievel's latest wife . . His athletic ability allowed him to join the track team, where he was a pole vaulter. Kelly is 63 years old as of the year 2023 and shared the same biological mother and father with Robbie. . He is the father of twodaughters, Krysten Knievel and Karmen Knievel. Robbie also has three other siblings. Throughout his career, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps. The footage of this crash was so upsetting to Knievel that he did not show the clip for 19 years until the documentary Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story. Performance & security by Cloudflare. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',132,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-132{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. [citation needed]. AP Photo/LM Otero. [citation needed], Shortly before his death, Evel Knievel was featured in a BBC Two Christmas special presented by Richard Hammond. [63][64] Directed by Bat Boy co-creator Keythe Farley, the production opened in Los Angeles in September 2007 to some positive reviews. Personal details about Linda include: political affiliation is currently a registered Republican; ethnicity is Caucasian; and religious views are listed as Christian. Knievel set . Friday, November 30 marked the end of what will forever be remembered as the longest and most courageous battle between one man, a man we all know as the world's greatest daredevil, and death. Knievel promoted the motorcycle at his various public appearances. View popular celebrities life details . In 1973, Ideal released the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. [4]:2122 Knievel tried out with the Charlotte Clippers of the Eastern Hockey League in 1959, but decided that a traveling team was not for him.[9][10][11]. Knievel would regularly share his anti-drug message, one of his core values. Knievel held the record for 27 years until Bubba Blackwell jumped 20 cars in 1998 with an XR-750. For 38 years, Robbie Knievel and his wife Linda were together. [46] Knievel would preach an anti-drug message to children and adults before each of his stunts. Knievel once dreamed of housing all of his career memorabilia in an Evel Knievel Museum to be located in his home state of Montana. The documentary was filmed in July 2007 at the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in his old hometown of Butte. . Just five months after his near-fatal crash in Las Vegas, Knievel performed another jump. [78], 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 and Mike Patterson. 42, no. When he hit the takeoff ramp, he claimed he felt the motorcycle unexpectedly decelerate. [citation needed], Knievel was a proponent of motorcycle helmet safety. With little money, he went looking for a sponsor and found one in Bob Blair, owner of ZDS Motors, Inc., the West Coast distributor for Berliner Motor Corporation, a distributor for Norton Motorcycles. Although he was originally scheduled to lead a benefit ride through Milwaukee, Knievel never rode the motorcycle because he suffered a mild (non-debilitating) stroke before the appearance and limited his visit to a signing session. He died on November 30, 2007 in Clearwater, Florida, USA. . Evel Knievel died in 2007 at the age of 69 after years of battling diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. [4] A near-riot erupted during Knievel's show at the Cow Palace on March 3, 1971, when a Hells Angels member threw a metal object (either a tire iron or a Coca-Cola can, according to different witnesses)[citation needed] at Knievel. Knievel was born on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana, the first of two children of Robert E. and Ann Marie Keough Knievel. Robert dwrd nvl also known as Rbb nvl, was born on 7, 1962 t of Butte in ntn. After a month, he recovered and returned to Graham on August 18 to finish the show; but the result was the same, only this time the injuries were more serious. Later that year on the sitcom Happy Days, motorcycle-riding character Fonzie (Henry Winkler) performed a similar trick, albeit on waterskis, inspiring the creation of the phrase "jump the shark.". "Daredevils don't live easy lives," his brother said. When he switched to the Triumph motorcycle, his jumpsuit changed to a white suit with stripes down the legs and sleeves. The father of Evel Knievel, Robert Craig Knievel, was born in Butte, Montana, on October 17, 1938. THE two ex-wives of stunt daredevil Evel Knievel are squaring up for a bitter battle over his estate. Click to reveal Standard file photo. Your IP: Knievel jumped too late and the motorcycle hit him in the groin, tossing him 15 feet (4.6m) into the air. His father, Bob, was a professional boxer and later a professional hunting guide. All Birth, Baptism & Christening results for Linda Knievel. Evel Knievel had an encounter with Jessica Hahn (1987). Each variant would become more elaborate, including the addition of the red-white-blue cape and the Elvis-styled belt buckle with his initials, "EK". However, he used the bike only for wheelies and did not jump after retiring from the XR-750.[4]. Robert Craig "Evel . [citation needed], After the crash, despite breaking his pelvis, Knievel addressed the audience and announced his retirement by stating, "Ladies and gentlemen of this wonderful country, I've got to tell you that you are the last people in the world who will ever see me jump. Kelly Knievel said his brother should be remembered for what he did best. Robbie also has three other siblings. 1.7K1.7K. He was hospitalized as a result of his injuries. [44], When Knievel switched to the Laverda motorcycle in 1969, he switched his leathers to an All American Themed red-white-and-blue jumpsuit with an "X" across the chest. As of 2021, Robbie's age is 59 years. 1 drama of 1985, Dynasty. Knievel kept up his pursuit of the United States government to allow him to jump the Grand Canyon. Their father, Evel, was proud of his son's accomplishments and tried to attend all of his jumps, including Knievel's 1989 successful one over the Caesars Palace fountains in Las Vegas. [7][8], Seeking new thrills and challenges, Knievel participated in local professional rodeos and ski jumping events, including winning the Northern Rocky Mountain Ski Association Class A Men's ski jumping championship in 1959. On October 9, 2005, Knievel promoted his last public "motorcycle ride" at the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson dealership. [citation needed], After the Saltman assault and subsequent jail time, Knievel lost his marketing endorsements and deals, including Harley-Davidson and Ideal Toys. Knievel's televised testimony triggered mass baptisms at the Crystal Cathedral. On May 7, 1962, Robert Edward Knievel III was born to Evel and Linda Knievel in the city of Butte, Montana. He tracked Saltman down and viciously beat the promoter unconscious with an . Because I will never, ever, ever jump again. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. After being thrown off, he skidded for 50 feet (15m). He was previously married to Krystal Kennedy-Knievel and Linda Knievel. [2] His surname is of German origin; his paternal great-great-grandparents emigrated to the United States from Germany. His last name is of German origin. Later, Knievel titled his 1988 self-produced documentary Last of the Gladiators. Menu. In February 1999, Knievel was given only a few days to live and he requested to leave the hospital and die at his home. Knievel was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. Knievel switched his attention in 1971 to the Snake River Canyon in southern Idaho. Genealogy for Linda Joan Knievel (Bork) (deceased) family tree on Geni, with over 245 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. He managed to hold on until the cycle hit the base of the ramp. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Krysten is married to Jeffrey G. Hansson. Robbie Knievel was born on May 7, 1962, the son of stuntman Robert "Evel" Knievel and his first wife, Linda. Senate race: Linda McMahon portrays her 1976 bankruptcy as a rags-to-riches story, without dwelling on the details -- such as a failed investment in Evel Knievel's famous flop, 5 years of federal . If he had landed in the water, Knievel said that he would have drowned, due to a harness malfunction that kept him strapped in the vehicle. To report about any issues in our articles, please feel free toContact Us. In 1977, Bally marketed its Knievel pinball machine as the "first fully electronic commercial game"; it has elsewhere been described as one of the "last of the classic pre-digital games. Knievel was fired when he made the earth mover do a motorcycle-type wheelie and accidentally drove it into Butte's main power line, leaving the city without electricity for several hours. American Eagle Motorcycles was the first company to sign Knievel to an endorsement deal. (530) 406-9304 fax (530) 367-3024 info . [13] Knievel credited much of his later success to Stone and his book. The State of Idaho registered the X-2 as an airplane rather than a motorcycle. More Birthdays. Knievel knew the jump was very questionable, but stated, "I went ahead and did it anyway. Evel Knievel, original name Robert Craig Knievel, (born October 17, 1938, Butte, Montana, U.S.died November 30, 2007, Clearwater, Florida), American motorcycle daredevil who captivated audiences with his death-defying stunts. Movies. Though Knievel had no involvement, a 30-minute ABC Saturday morning animated series Devlin produced by Hanna-Barbera aired in the fall of 1974. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Linda Knievel. Robbie Knievel (R), a record-setting stunt performer and the son of Evel Knievel (L) died of pancreatic cancer, his brother confirmed to multiple outlets Jan. 13. His last stunt show, not including a jump, took place in March 1980 in Puerto Rico. Kelly Knievel. Saltman's arm and wrist were shattered in several places before he fell to the ground unconscious. Robbie continued into adulthood to perform as a professional motorcycle daredevil. The distance he had for takeoff did not allow him to get up enough speed. Mini Bio (1) Evel Knievel was born on October 17, 1938 in Butte, Montana, USA. Evel Knievel was married to Linda Joan Bork for nearly 40 years, and it all started with a kidnapping. Knievel ended up with a severely broken arm and several broken ribs. Days later, Knievel received the transplant. Knievel, so careful to project a certain image, unraveled as the pressure of the jump mounted, and the press soon saw the real Evel: "He's a jerk, he's a boor, he's a bully," one of them . When they divorced years later, she said, "He always thought there was something better out there and never stopped looking for it . Record information. ABC's Wide World of Sports was unwilling to pay the price Knievel wanted for the Snake River Canyon jump, so he hired boxing promoter Bob Arum's company, Top Rank Productions, to put the event on closed-circuit television and broadcast to movie theaters. As a youth, Knievel was often jailed for stealing hubcaps and motorcycles, including a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at age 13. But I beat the hell out of death. The drogue parachute prematurely deployed as the Skycycle left the launching rail and induced significant drag. Linda Knievel is believed to be married as of 2023 and living a fulling life. Linda was the first wife of Evel. [31] Investors in the event took a substantial loss, including promoter DonE. Branker,[32] as well as Vince McMahon of what was then called the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Subscribe to Daily Star and Daily Star On Sunday newspapers, 'The Quadfather' bodybuilder with 30-inch thighs now unrecognisable in snap with 'Hulk', Tom Platz's huge quads and impressive leg development made him one of the biggest bodybuilding stars of the 80s but since his retirement he's dropped to an 'extremely light' weight, Body language expert says Prince Harry gave 'three clear signals' after cottage eviction, A body language expert claimed that the news of the not-so-royal couple's eviction, which was ordered by Harry's dad King Charles III, was more of a shock to them than they are letting on, Woman recorded performing oral sex on beach at popular Brit tourist destination, WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: A woman in a red dress was spotted dipping down low to pleasure a man on a stage at Central Pattaya Beach, Pattaya City, in Thailand, ahead of a festival there, Heroin addict mum who 'looked dead' is unrecognisable after going seven years clean, EXCLUSIVE: Melissa Matos used to lock herself in a blood-spattered bedroom to use heroin now, seven years clean, she's an exemplary mum who hopes to inspire others to kick their drug habits, Britain faces -11C Nordic snowstorm that threatens to keep nation on ice until April, Meteorologists predict that Brits up and down the country will be hit with arctic winds on Sunday (March 5) as a Nordic snow 'shock' threatens to freeze us over until April, At least 17 dead including two kids as massive Indonesia oil depot fire engulfs homes, At least 17 people have been killed after a huge fire broke at an oil depot in a densely populated area of Indonesia. [12], After returning home to the west from Washington, D.C., he joined the motocross circuit and had moderate success, but he still could not make enough money to support his family. Linda Kasabian (1949-2023), key witness against Manson Family. Throughout Kelly's and Robbie's adolescence, they performed at Knievel's stunt shows. According to "Evel," the publication of Saltman's unflattering portrait sent Knievel into a rage. Coliseum jump over crushed cars was used at the beginning of the episode, and an indoor jump over eleven cars and one van was used at the end of the show. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. [18][19][20], The Caesars Palace crash was Knievel's longest attempted motorcycle jump at 141 feet (43m). )[53], In the 1970s, Knievel partnered with AMF to release a series of bicycles, marketed with TV ads.[54]. [68], On July 27, 2006, he appeared on The Adam Carolla Show and discussed his health problems. Linda and Evel were . Four kids were born to the couple while they were married. Culling was stopped in the late 1960s. Wanting a new start away from Butte, Knievel moved his family to Moses Lake, Washington. Robbie Knievel father died at the age of 69. The Associated Press. Advertisement. On April 15, 1972, the X-1 was launched to test the feasibility of the launching ramp. . Las Vegas, Nevada Area. Robbie Knievel parents Robert Evel Knievel and Linda got married in the year 1959 after some short dating history and has since lived happily for 38 years. However, he dropped out without graduating to pursue his career as a daredevil. They do a great job of articulating just how influential Knievel was on today's extreme . Knievel found his way to fame by performing death-defying tricks on his motorcycle. Linda Knievel is the mother of the late American daredevil Robbie Knievel.. Linda Knievel's husband and son. Knievel wives in feud. [citation needed], A municipal judge ordered Evel to stand trial for a weapons possession charge in 1994. Using the hunting and fishing skills taught to him by his grandfather, Knievel started the Sur-Kill Guide Service. The iconic stuntman Robbie Knievel is secretive regarding his personal life, marriage, and wife. [citation needed], Between 1972 and 1977, Ideal Toy Company released a series of Evel Knievel-related merchandise, designed initially by Joseph M. Burck of Marvin Glass and Associates. I'm gonna crash," and there's nothing you can do to stop it, not at all. [3] His mother was of Irish ancestry. The second booking was in Hemet, California, but was canceled due to rain. Do me a favor. [citation needed]. Knievel was arrested in October at a Sunnyvale go-go bar on suspicion of battering his girlfriend, 25-year-old Krystal Kennedy of Florida. Knievel briefly used a Honda 250cc motorcycle to jump a crate of rattlesnakes and two mountain lions, his first known jump. The cameraman was admitted to the hospital and received treatment for an injury near his eye, but received no permanent injury. Additionally, Ideal released non-Knievel-touring toys, including a Chopper Motorcycle, a Trail Bike, and a female counterpart, Derry Daring. Robbie Knievel was born on 7 May 1962 in Butte, Montana, USA, to his daredevil parents Evel Knievel and Linda Knievel. In 1974, Knievel and Amherst Records released at the Sound City Studios the self-titled album Evel Knievel, which included a press conference, an anti-drug talk for his young fans, and four other tracks. The Kings Island event scored the highest viewer ratings in the history of ABC's Wide World of Sports and would serve as Knievel's longest successful jump at 133 feet (41m) (although the Caesars Palace jump was longer, it ended in a crash).