Stuntman continues Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon Jump
BUTTE, Mont. — The memory of Robert 'Evel' Knievel is brought back to life in a new documentary on Disney+.
It's called 'Stuntman' and centers around professional stunt man Eddie Braun.
"I met Evel as a kid and at that point, I didn't want to do anything else," said Braun. "That moment set the course for my life."
By the age of 17, Braun was working as a professional stuntman and he's continued ever since.
The work isn't easy, often very taxing on the body.
"It's a rough way to make a living but it's also a very cool way to make a living," explained Braun.
He noted that these days it's harder to get started in the stuntman industry with movie effects and concerns over liability.
"When someone asked me, 'hey I want to be a stunt person' I say find another career -- only because it's a dying art form," said Braun.
Even still, he is grateful to be able to experience a career in the industry while thinking about his hero -- Evel Knievel.
"When you say you're going to do something as audacious as an attempt to finish out your hero's dream, you get a lot of skepticism," said Braun. "Which I understand."
In 1974, Knievel attempted the Snake River Canyon Jump, which is a quarter-mile-wide jump in Idaho.
When during his jump, Knievel was unsuccessful, but ended up landing safely.
For Braun, it was a different story.
"Fulfilling the dream of your heroes, how do you how do you describe that," he exclaimed.
Once he hit the button, Braun explained that it felt as if his mind needed to catch up to his body.
"I fully now understand why Mr. Knievel never attempted it again -- I would never want to do it again," he laughed. "It was like a punch to the head. By the time I realized I had hit the button, I was already going 400 miles per hour and was thousands of feet up in the air."
Braun successfully completed the jump and made a safe landing with no injuries.
But while the jump only lasted minutes, the connection he felt with Knievel that day is still there.
"He showed me as a kid that you could fail epically and if you get back up and try it again sooner or later you're gonna succeed," said Braun.
As a man often hidden from the camera, he says he's humbled by the entire experience.
"I would just say thank you for inspiring me," Braun said. "In spite of failures, get up, suck it up and do it again."
The Snake River Canyon Jump now has closure and to Braun, that's reward enough.
