Robert Craig Knievel (more commonly known as Evel Knievel) was born October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana. He was the eldest of two children born to Robert and Ann Knievel. After a divorce in 1940, both Robert and Ann decided they needed a fresh start. Knievel and his brother went to live with their grandparents.
When he was eight years old, Knievel saw a Joie Chitwood Auto Daredevil Show, and his future vocation was locked in place. Sophomore year of high school, Knievel dropped out and worked at the Anaconda Mining Company where he operated the diamond drill. He was fired, however, after popping a wheelie on an industrial size earth mover and crashing into a power line, which left the city without lights for hours.
Knievel found himself increasingly getting into trouble. By 1956, he landed himself in jail after a police chase that ended in crashing his motorcycle. But his thrill-seeking ways also won him the Rocky Mountain Ski Association ski jump competition in 1957.
Unsure what to do with his daredevil impulses, Knievel enlisted in the Army. Eventually returning to Butte, he met and married Linda Bork in 1959. Searching for a way to support himself and his new wife, Knievel dabbled in professional ice hockey with the Charlotte Checkers. He went on to found the semi-professional hockey team the Butte Bombers, but these business ventures quickly fell apart.
His next venture was no more successful. He started a hunting and fishing service called the Sur-Kill Guide. Ensuring clients the big game animal they desired, business was great until wardens realized he was simply taking people into Yellowstone National Park to poach the animals.
Back to square one, Knievel briefly turned to burglary in order to support his growing family. This phase was short-lived, however, and by 1961 he was in the legitimate motocross circuit. After breaking his collarbone and shoulder in 1962 and being told he couldn’t race for six months, Knievel turned to selling insurance. His boss, W. Clement Stone, suggested Knievel read his book Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, and Knievel still today credits this book with much of his success.
Eventually Knievel and family relocated to Moses Lake, Washington, where he opened a motorcycle dealership that ultimately floundered and went under. At a loss for what to do next, Knievel remembered the Joie Chitwood daredevil show of his childhood. Inspired to do something similar on his motorcycle, Knievel started promoting himself and jumping for the public. After several sensational jumps (and even more sensational crashes), Knievel became a well known figure in the world of daredevilry throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Knievel’s popularity also rose with increased media attention. His guest appearance on The Joey Bishop Show in particular delivered the kind of national exposure Knievel needed. In 1971, the feature length film Evel Knievel was released starring George Hamilton. The following year an Evel Knievel toy line hit the market, grossing over $350 million. He also had notable appearances on The Bionic Woman, with Lindsay Wagner and Richard Anderson as well as the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In 1977, the film Viva Knievel! was released with a disappointing box office showing. It starred Knievel, Lauren Hutton, Gene Kelly, and Red Buttons.
Knievel’s first retirement came May 31, 1975, but it was soon revoked. His second retirement came October 26, 1975.
By 1977 things were going downhill fast, including a six month jail sentence and three year probation period for savagely beating his former promoter Sheldon Saltman. He was later forced to declare bankruptcy.
More recently, Knievel was in the news for his appearance on The Adam Carolla Show, and his lawsuit against Kanye West for trademark infringement in the music video "Touch the Sky."
Knievel was married twice. His first marriage was to Linda Bork in 1959; they had four children together before divorcing in 1997. His second marriage was to Crystal Kennedy, but it only lasted from 1999 to 2001 before they also divorced.
After suffering several years of failing health, diabetis and pulmonary fibrosis, Evel finally passed away on November 30th 2007. Evel leaves behind 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild
YUDDY
