Robbie Knievel finally takes a bow early Friday morning after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The legendary stuntman is the son of the famous Evel Knievel, who had an impressive career in the motorcycle jump industry.
Keep reading for the details.
Robbie Knievel
The late athlete, also known as “Kaptain Robbie Knievel,” died surrounded by his daughters for three days in hospice care after a protracted battle with cancer. His brother, Kelly Knievel, revealed this to CBS News .
Early Bird
The motorcycle stuntman filled his dad’s shoes at the tender age of 4 when he started jumping bikes and then performed for the first time at his father’s show at Madison Square Garden at age 8.
He also toured around with his old man at age 12 and got to perform pre-jump shows before eventually going solo.
Over 350 Career Jumps
The late star performed over 350 career jumps during his lifetime, beating his father’s record and rising to the pinnacle of his chosen field.
Impressive World Records
He successfully set world records for 20 of these jumps. One of his most impressive jumps yet was at Caesar’s Palace in 1989 where he jumped the fountains, successfully beating his father’s record as he has tried and failed two decades earlier in 1967.
1998 Wins
His other jumps in Las Vegas included launching above 30 limousines at 231 feet in the air at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in 1998.
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1999 Records
Quite the legend and talent, he jumped 130 feet in the air between the two towers of the Jockey Club on the Strip.
More Career-Defying Jumps
The talent didn’t stop there as he performed other near-death stunts including the Grand Canyon jump and the U.S.S. Intrepid where he jumped over five military airplanes in New York.
Final Jump At Coachella
Knievel, who lost his dad in November 2007 at 69, gave the last performance of his career in 2011 by jumping 50 feet above tractor-trailer trucks at the spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, California.
BTS Looks
The star gave his teeming fans on social media a BTS look into his performance and how he gets ready for them in a 2005 show titled Knievel’s Wild Ride .
A Daredevils
Kelly admitted that his brother’s life wasn’t easy, but he had the strength.
The late stuntman was married once and divorced and is now survived by two daughters, Krysten and Karmen, and grandchildren, Analise and Kane.
How To Remember Robbie?
Kelly Knievel encouraged fans and everyone to remember him as a great daredevil who loved his passion.
“He was a great daredevil,” he said. “If you look at his jumps, that’s what he should be known for. It’s what he loved doing.”