Robbie Knievel, sometimes known as Robert Edward Knievel, is an American stunt performer. He is best renowned for being a daredevil and is also known by the name Kaptain Knievel. Robbie holds the record for the greatest amount of motorcycle jumps, which includes twenty world record jumps. He is famous for jumping across a portion of the Grand Canyon. Among other things, he is renowned for doing daring jumps over rattlesnakes, lions, and bus lines. When he executed a motorbike jump that began on the roof of one building and ended on the roof of another, he provided his audience with a real-life action scene that is otherwise only seen in movies. Robbie Knievel has undergone two significant back surgery over the course of his risky career. The stuntman is an ardent philanthropist and has been affiliated with a number of philanthropic organizations and trusts.
Youth and Early Life
Robbie Knievel was born in Butte, Montana, on May 7, 1962. He was raised by his mother, Linda Knievel, and his famed stunt performer father, Evel Knievel. Robbie and his siblings Kelly Knievel, Alicia Knievel, Emma Knievel, and Tracy Knievel grew up together.
Robbie grew up watching his father conduct motorbike stunts. When he first rode a pillion on the streets of his hometown, he was just 2 years old. Typically, he rode with his father, sitting on the handlebar or his father’s lap as his father performed wheelies.
His first job was operating an earth mover at a mine. After crashing the enormous vehicle into the power lines while doing a wheelie with one of the earth movers and leaving the entire city without electricity, he was dismissed.
Robbie Knievel’s Career
Robbie began his career as a bike stunt performer at the age of eight when he and his older brother Kelly performed in Madison Square.
After trying a dangerous trick in 1968, he was hospitalized with a fractured femur, pelvis, and multiple additional fractures. In 1974, he performed alongside his father at Toronto’s Exposition. Then, he began traveling extensively with his father and performing acts that were pretty safe under his father’s supervision.
In the early 1980s, Robbie made the decision to begin performing on his own. He desired to surpass nearly every record set by his father. Robbie did not succeed in breaking all records, and he also sustained significant injuries in the process. However, this did not prevent him from preparing for his next performance after healing from his surgery. Numerous of his performances have been televised.
Robbie has ceased performing because doctors warned him about attempting daredevil stunts after undergoing multiple surgeries. Robbie has therefore moved into entrepreneurship by establishing Knievel Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc., a firm that makes customized motorcycles, safety gear, and some of Robbie’s clothing lines.
The Memorial To His Father
Robbie honored his father on April 14, 1989, by leaping over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. His father attempted the same act 22 years ago, but he was unsuccessful. Robbie, though, executed a flawless and successful landing. He was the first daredevil to jump over the famed fountains successfully.
Jumping Over Trucks
Robbie sustained minor injuries in March 1992 when he crashed while attempting to leap over 25 pickup trucks. He successfully leaped over fifteen Diet Pepsi trucks in 2003.
In 2008, he leaped over twenty-four Coca-Cola trucks at the Ohio entertainment park Kings Island. In 2011, he leaped over several tractor-trailer vehicles that were spread out over a distance of 150 feet at the Spotlight 29 Casino in California.
The Daring Contest
On July 10, 1993, Robbie Knievel competed against Eddie Kidd, another great daredevil. Robbie and Eddie each attempted three jumps, and the winner would be determined based on the average distance each participant traveled. Robbie lost the competition by only 6 feet.
Since then, Robbie has diligently trained in the hopes of defeating Kidd at least once. Three years later, however, Kidd was forced to retire due to a catastrophic accident that left him with severe head injuries.
Overtaking 30 Limousines
Robbie beat his own record for the longest motorbike leap on February 24, 1998, when he vaulted over 30 parked limos at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. This performance was also a tribute to his father, who had survived a similar stunt many years prior.
Jumping the Grand Canyon
Robbie established yet another world record by leaping 223 feet over the Grand Canyon on May 20, 1999. Robbie jumped 55 feet in the air and traversed the 200-foot-wide gully at 90 miles per hour on a 500-cc motorcycle. By accomplishing the stunt, he made his father’s goal of jumping over the Grand Canyon on his motorcycle a reality, as his father was unable to accomplish this feat.
Robbie was unable to make a decent landing and fractured his leg as a result. The ruse was broadcast on Fox News. In addition, numerous reporters had arrived to report live on the performance.
Canyon of Snake River in Idaho
Robbie completed yet another impressive leap, but this time he did so on a skycycle. He recognized that a motorcycle would be inappropriate for the stunt, so he had aeronautical engineers tailor a skycycle to his specifications. Utilizing the specially built bicycle, he was able to successfully traverse a portion of the Snake River Canyon. Similarly, this stunt was carried out on television.
The Volcano Jump in Vegas
Robbie leaped 200 feet over the hotel’s volcano on the Las Vegas Strip on December 31, 2008. Although it appeared as though he leaped over the man-made volcano, he actually leaped close to it because the event organizers feared that jumping over the man-made volcano could be fatal.
Journey Television Programs
Robbie sponsored his own television program, Knievel’s Wild Ride, which aired on A&E Networks in 2005. He also appeared in the television series Hollywood Stunts.
Chasing Evel: The Story of Robbie Knievel
The tale of Robbie’s life was shown in a film directed by Jesse James Miller and premiered on February 19, 2017. Robbie portrayed himself in the film. The film focuses on his bond with his father and how his amazing performances maintain Evel’s legacy.
Family and Private Life
Robbie Knievel was romantically involved with the American actress Jenny McShane. He is the father of actress Krysten Knievel, who starred in the television series “Knievel’s Wild Ride.”
Estimated Net Worth
Robbie Knievel is an American stunt performer and daredevil with a net worth of $10 million. Robbie Knievel was born in Butte, Montana, and is the son of Robert “Evel” Knievel, a famous stuntman. Before entering kindergarten, he began jumping on his bicycle, and by the second grade, he was performing motorcycle tricks.