Evel Knievel was supposedly "America's greatest daredevil" who defied gravity as he rode his motorcycle to the heights of international fame with increasingly challenging and thrilling jumps. His popularity transcended the world of stunts in the early 1970s. His death-defying acts attracted thousands of thrill-seekers, and millions more watched on television. Coming from humble beginnings, Evel Knievel proved that you could be anything you wanted as he shocked the world with his hilarious stunts and fearless attitude. Evel Knievel didn't come from, as you would say, the best childhood. He was born in the small copper mining town of Butte, Montana. His first introduction to being a daredevil began when he watched "Joey Chitwoods Auto Daredevil Show", which was later credited for Evel Knievel's career choice. After his father abandoned him and his mother, his mother had difficulty making ends meet. His mother soon found that she was unable to care for Evel Knievel and placed him in the care of his grandparents. His grandfather claimed that even at a young age he was a “little” daredevil. He began his stunt career by doing stunts on his bicycle for neighborhood children. Then, for his thirteenth birthday, Evel Knievel received his first motorcycle. This was his favorite gift, but sadly it didn't last very long. He crashed into his neighbor's garage while showing off again and nearly set the whole house on fire when the motorcycle's gas tank ignited and exploded. For much of Evel Knievel's teenage life, he ended up in prison many times for things like robberies, breaking into houses, and stealing small things like motorcycles. Then, regarding a particular "job" he decided that... middle of paper... a hospital. Today, many people miss his performances, such as riding fast motorcycles up steep on-ramps and blowing up as many as fourteen greyhound buses before landing safely on a drop-off ramp up to 150 feet away, but they were some of his defeats that made him famous, such as hitting the sidewalk in front of Caesars Palace or falling into an Idaho River canyon while trying to jump it on his "skycycle." (K and K Promotions)In many ways, this American icon proved that you can do anything, but sometimes you do it at your own peril. He became a friend and entertainer of the American people. He was appreciated for his successes and his failures. Evel Knievel proved that you can be whatever you want to be.