When you think about the wildest, most daring stories in pop culture history, one name stands out above the rest: Evel Knievel. This guy wasn't just any daredevil—he was the king of death-defying motorcycle stunts. Each one was crazier and more dangerous than the last. Now, his incredible journey is being brought to life on the small screen with the USA Network's new series, Evel, starring Milo Ventimiglia from This Is Us as the legendary Evel Knievel.

The network describes the show as “a thrilling and deeply human story of a man who chased the American dream with everything he had. Balancing fame, family, and the constant risk of death, Knievel's story is one of courage, resilience, and the unshakable spirit of an icon.”

From Rodeos to Rockets: The Real Evel Knievel

Let me tell you about the real Evel Knievel. Born Robert Craig Knievel on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana, this guy was destined for greatness—or at least, greatness in the world of stunts. Growing up, Evel was obsessed with the idea of being a daredevil. By the 1950s, he was already participating in local rodeos and ski jumping events. But it wasn’t until he discovered motorcycles that his true calling came to life. Evel quickly became a motorcycle stunt performer, thrilling crowds with his jaw-dropping jumps and earning himself a place in pop culture history.

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But here's the kicker: Evel didn't just stop at jumping over cars or trucks. No, no, no. He went big—or should I say, ginormous. In 1965, he jumped 40 feet over rattlesnakes and two mountain lions. Why? Who knows! The following year, he jumped 45 feet over two pickup trucks. And if that wasn't enough, he also attempted a mid-air jump over a speeding motorcycle, which, unfortunately, didn’t go as planned. Instead of landing safely, he injured his groin. Ouch!

The Stunt That Almost Broke Him

But Evel wasn’t done yet. In June of the same year, he jumped over 12 cars in Post Falls, Idaho. Then, in a bold attempt to top himself, he tried to jump 13 cars—but missed, breaking his arm, ribs, and losing consciousness. Talk about commitment to the craft! Between October 1966 and September 1967, he kept pushing the limits, increasing the number of cars he jumped from 14 to 16.

As the years rolled on, Evel continued to raise the stakes. In April 1972, he decided to jump two vans and 100 rattlesnakes. Then, in July, it was seven trucks and four cars. By 1974, he was jumping 10 Mac trucks. But the pièce de résistance came later that year when he attempted to jump the 3/4-mile-wide Snake River Canyon in Idaho on a X-2 Skycycle steam-powered rocket. Unfortunately, his parachute deployed at launch, cutting his historic attempt short.

International Fame and Final Stunts

In May 1975, Evel took his act global, jumping 13 single-decker buses in London. Later, he tackled 14 Greyhound buses. But his final performance came in 1977, when he attempted to jump 13 sharks in Chicago. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well. During a practice jump, he crashed, fracturing his collarbone and right arm, along with some heavy bruising. That pretty much marked the end of his solo career, though he later performed alongside his son Robbie, who also became a motorcycle stunt performer.

According to reports, Milo Ventimiglia will play Evel Knievel up to the point of the Snake River Canyon jump in the new series. Fans can expect to see the highs and lows of Evel’s life, from his rise to fame to his relentless pursuit of bigger and better stunts.

USA Network Bets Big on Evel's Legacy

Chris McCumber, USA’s entertainment chief, had this to say about the series: “USA Network is known for big event series that celebrate heroes, rebels, and icons, and what could be bigger than the story of one of the greatest thrill seekers of all time? The incredible life and journey of Evel Knievel lends itself perfectly to a dramatic retelling, and we are thrilled to bring this iconic American tale to our viewers.”