The multi-millionaire was a notorious womaniser, was once declared bankrupt and even spent six months in prison for assault

The world’s most famous stuntman Evel Knievel died at the weekend aged 69. We celebrate the canyon-jumping legend. 

We’ve been trawling the web for some classic Knievel clips.

This is what we found…

Evel Knievel: 1938 – 2007

Evel Knievel became the world’s most famous stuntman bringing crazy antics to a mass audience with his mad motorcycle stunts.

Over the years he broke his back SEVEN times, was comatose for 29 days and entered the Guinness Book of Records for suffering 40 fractures – a record at the time.

And his personal life was as crazy as his career choice. The multi-millionaire was a notorious womaniser, was once declared bankrupt and even spent six month in prison for assault. 

But he’ll be remembered as the bonkers biker dressed in stars and stripes who preformed incredible stunts.

Caesar’s Palace – New Year’s Eve 1967

Knievel planned to jump 141 feet over a series of fountains outside the world famous Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

But just before taking off his bike decelerated and he only just cleared the distance – and lost his grip on the handlebars.

As a result he crushed his pelvis and femur, fractured his hip, wrist and both ankles, and was in a coma for 29 days.

Snake River Canyon – 1974

Being in a coma for a month wasn’t enough to stop Evel Knievel, who wanted to perform the jump to end all jumps – the Grand Canyon.

But the government wouldn’t allow his Grand Canyon attempt so Knievel leased 300 acres of the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.

After getting NASA to build a rocket-powered motorbike called the Skycycle he attempted the three-quarters of a mile jump.

Evel Knievel jumps 13 buses at Wembley

In 1975 Evel Knievel was paid a reported $1 million to jump 13 buses at Wembley Stadium.

After reaching a speed of 100mph he hit the ramp and careered through the air in front of an amazed audience.

The rest didn’t go exactly to plan.

Evel Knievel emerged from the Wembley stunt with a fractured pelvis and announced his retirement.

He made a return within six months but never quite created the magic of the previous decade.

Knievel retired in 1981.