Knievel's ex-wife gives her approval
THE MADAME Tussauds wax figure of legendary stunt man Evel Knievel was unveiled to family and friends last night.
Remembering the King of the Daredevils in the prime of his life, the Knievel figure was an instant hit with hundreds of admirers, as his figure stood dressed in his celebrated red, white and blue outift.
The unveiling of his lifelike wax figure was originally intended to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Evel's legendary jump at Caesars Palace New Years Eve 1967, but has now become a lasting memory to the star following his death on November 30th last year.
Evel worked closely with Madame Tussauds Las Vegas in the making of his figure. He was able to see the clay headshots throughout the progression of his figure, and said that he could not believe how life-like they were. Sadly, Evel never saw his completed figure before he died.
The Evel Knievel figure will be placed within the SPEED room of the
attraction. The Evel experience lets guests sit on an authentic replica bike - a 1972 Harley Davidson XR750, put on a themed Evel cape, and take pictures of themselves with his figure.
The Evel figure has a replica necklace he wore embossed with the face of Christ, his trademark cane with a diamond emblem of a
motorcycle doing a wheelie and an identical rabbit's foot given to him by his half-sister, which he wore for many years.
Participating in the unveiling of the life-sized wax figure of Knievel were son Kelly, ex-wife Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, and Bill Rundle, a longtime friend and organizer of Evel Knievel Days in Butte, Montana, as well as Adrian Jones, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Jones said:
"Evel Knievel was an international brand and his ability to self
promote and capture the hearts and minds of young and old with his death defying stunts made him one of the most recognizable icons of the 20th century."
Kelly added: "My father was honoured that Madame Tussauds was creating his wax figure, and he would have been delighted with the finished product."
