Evel Knievel

American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

Evel Knievel was an American stunt performer and entertainer who attempted over 75 motorcycle jumps during his career. Despite never successfully jumping the Grand Canyon, he became a legendary figure, breaking numerous records and bones. He sought to profit from his image through endorsements and marketing deals, leading to the sale of over $125 million worth of Knievel toys from 1972 to 1977.

About the Evel Knievel

Robert Craig Knievel (October 17, 1938 – November 30, 2007), known professionally as Evel Knievel (), was an American stunt performer and entertainer. Throughout his career, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps. Knievel was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. He died of pulmonary disease in Clearwater, Florida, in 2007, aged 69.

Evel Knievel was born in Butte, Montana. Raised by his paternal grandparents, Knievel was inspired to become a motorcycle daredevil after attending a Joie Chitwood auto daredevil show. He left high school early to work in the copper mines but was later fired for causing a city-wide power outage. After adopting the nickname “Evel Knievel”, he participated in rodeos and ski jumping events, and served in the U.S. Army before marrying Linda Joan Bork and starting a semi-pro hockey team. To support his family, Knievel started the Sur-Kill Guide Service and later worked as an insurance salesman. Eventually, he opened a Honda motorcycle dealership in Washington, but faced difficulties promoting Japanese imports. After the dealership closed, Knievel worked at a motorcycle shop where he learned motocross stunts that would later contribute to his daredevil career.

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

On September 8, 1974, Knievel attempted to jump across the Snake River Canyon in Idaho using a rocket-powered cycle called the Skycycle X-2. The jump failed due to a parachute malfunction, but Knievel survived with minor injuries.

Knievel sought to profit from his image through endorsements and marketing deals. American Eagle Motorcycles signed him, and his popularity grew with young boys. From 1972 to 1977, Ideal Toy Company sold over $125 million worth of Knievel toys. Knievel’s fame led to TV appearances and partnerships with companies like AMF and Harley-Davidson. However, after an assault conviction and jail time, he lost endorsements and declared bankruptcy. Despite a decline in his daredevil career, Knievel made a marketing comeback in the 1990s and continued to be involved in various ventures.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Evel Knievel was an American stunt performer and entertainer who became famous for attempting over 75 motorcycle jumps throughout his career.

Evel Knievel’s most famous stunt was an attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace, which resulted in severe injuries.

Evel Knievel was inspired to become a motorcycle daredevil after attending a Joie Chitwood auto daredevil show, and he later learned motocross stunts that would contribute to his daredevil career.

On September 8, 1974, Evel Knievel attempted to jump across the Snake River Canyon in Idaho using a rocket-powered cycle called the Skycycle X-2, but the jump failed due to a parachute malfunction, though Knievel survived with minor injuries.

Evel Knievel sought to profit from his image through endorsements and marketing deals, including a partnership with American Eagle Motorcycles and the sale of over $125 million worth of Knievel toys by Ideal Toy Company from 1972 to 1977.

After an assault conviction and jail time, Evel Knievel lost endorsements and declared bankruptcy, but he made a marketing comeback in the 1990s and continued to be involved in various ventures until his death in 2007.

Evel Knievel was buried in his hometown of Butte, Montana.

28 Quotes by Evel Knievel

  1. 1.

    This is a year and a few months after the transplant. Before I had it my doctors told me that it would be the biggest thing that I ever had to face and believe me, when they take your liver out of ya and put another one in it’s like replacing a football in your stomach.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  2. 2.

    I am a lucky, lucky person.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  3. 3.

    My wife and I, we like to ride where there’s not much traffic.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  4. 4.

    If I’m out trailriding, I have a favorite motorcycle. Riding on the road, I’ve got a favorite. If I’m jumping, I have a favorite, and if I’m racing, I have a favorite.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  5. 5.

    I think these shows with the young kids doing these jumps, doing these fantastic back flips, I think they’re absolutely great. They did what I never did.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  6. 6.

    But you come to a point in your life when you can’t pull the trigger anymore.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  7. 7.

    I think I coulda landed on a dime. I really do.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  8. 8.

    I’ve been in a treatment center for drinkin’. I stayed for two days, then escaped.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  9. 9.

    In the old days they, the promoters, wanted more and more from me. They wanted me to jump or spill my blood and break my bones. Every time they wanted me to jump further, and further, and further. Hell, they thought my bike had wings.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  10. 10.

    There are a lot of myths about my injuries. They say I have broken every bone in my body. Not true. But I have broken 35 bones. I had surgery 14 times to pin and plate. I shattered my pelvis. I forget all of the things that have broke.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  11. 11.

    I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  12. 12.

    I think through education, belief in God, and good engineering, our children become a lot better at what they’re doing than we did, and that starts with the very first sign of life on the face of this earth.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  13. 13.

    I know that I’m very lucky to be alive. For 35 or 40 years I’ve spilt my blood and broke my bones and spent years in hospitals.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  14. 14.

    I foresee the Chinese ruling the world. What are you going to do to stop it? No president of the United States will ever have enough power to stop the Chinese when they want to take over the world.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  15. 15.

    I thought I was bulletproof or Superman there for a while. I thought I’d never run out of nerve. Never.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  16. 16.

    I really think we should pass a law in every state, I don’t care whether it takes the independence away from an old person or not. You shouldn’t be driving a car if you’re over the age of 80. Maybe even less than that.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  17. 17.

    Unless we do things in this country to slow down our population, slow down our birth control, provide better water for people, provide power for people, we’re gonna find out that the next wars are not going to be fought over diamonds, gold and political things.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  18. 18.

    I know guys in my hometown that drive by feel and sound.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  19. 19.

    The Harley’s got a little too much torque when it comes to jumping.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  20. 20.

    If you look at the Bible almost everything that was predicted, maybe everything, has come to pass.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  21. 21.

    My own judgment of how the world is gonna end is that there will be a country led by a madman that will build a nuclear bomb with so much force, so much power, that it will be dropped somewhere on the face of this earth and that the earth will lose its place.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  22. 22.

    You come to a point in your life when you really don’t care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  23. 23.

    Harley-Davidson is the finest company in the world.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  24. 24.

    When I hit that pavement at 70 or 80 mph those suits just ripped.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  25. 25.

    I guess I thought I was Elvis Presley but I’ll tell ya something. All Elvis did was stand on a stage and play a guitar. He never fell off on that pavement at no 80 mph.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  26. 26.

    I recently have had a full hip replacement and a liver transplant, and I’m getting used to the medication.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  27. 27.

    I did everything by the seat of my pants. That’s why I got hurt so much.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)

  28. 28.

    Riding a motorcycle on today’s highways, you have to ride in a very defensive manner. You have to be a good rider and you have to have both hands and both feet on the controls at all times.

    Evel Knievel

    American stunt performer and artist (1938-2007)