Eddie Kidd is an English former stunt performer, actor as well as a singer. He started his career at the age of fourteen. He is known for his daredevil jumps and has been called the English Evel Knievel. On 6th August 1996, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident while performing at the Bulldog Bash, held at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon. He was paralyzed and suffered brain damage following an accident. After he recovered, he appeared in an episode of Russell Brand’s 2002 TV documentary series “RE:Brand”. On 15th June 2012, it was announced that he had been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to charity. In the year 1984, Martech released a computer game based on Kidd’s stunts titled “Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge”. He also had a singing career, releasing several singles such as “Leave it to the Kidd” (Decca FR 13795). In addition, he has also worked as a clothing and hair model in the late 1980s. He has worked as a stunt double in many films including “The Living Daylights”, “Bullseye!” and more. He recently made a guest appearance on the BBC show “Top Gear” on 14th November 2021.
Paddy McGuinness celebrates former stunt rider Eddie Kidd in new “Top Gear” series
Paddy McGuiness burst into tears after celebrating his hero, former stunt rider Eddie Kidd, with a road trip and by leaping through a ring of fire in the new Top Gear series. Paddy and his co-hosts Chris Harris and Freddie Flintoff – were seen honouring the acclaimed driver in the opening episode of the eagerly anticipated 31st series on Sunday night. Eddie worked on multiple James Bond movies before he was left paralysed and with brain damage after an accident in 1996. He has since been unable to talk or walk unaided and requires full-time care. Locking eyes with Eddie for the first time, an overjoyed Paddy points a finger at Eddie, exclaiming: “The Guv’nor, the absolute Guv’nor.” “Eddie, I cannot believe I’m here with you. My mates will be so jealous,” he said. “Honestly, when I was a kid, I had your posters up in my bedroom, before my mum took them for her own bedroom. “It’s an absolute thrill, I’m so glad you’ve let me come and see you down here.” The pair soon took to the road in McGuinness’s stunning white Rolls-Royce Phantom. Later on, in a touching tribute to Eddie, McGuiness jumped through a ring of fire, as an array of professional drivers performed in front of his eyes. And it was all too much for the from stunt performer as he burst into tears, with Paddy soon following suit.
Source: @dailymail.co.uk
Why is Eddie Kidd Known For?
- Being a former stunt performer, actor and singer.
- Being the holder of many world records for jumping over cars and buses.
Where was Eddie Kidd Born? Know About His Parents, Family, and Age
Eddie Kidd took birth on 22nd June 1959 with the birth name of Edward Kidd. His place of birth is in Islington, London, England. He holds British nationality and his ethnicity is British-White. He cut his 62nd birthday as of 22nd June 2021. His Zodiac sign is Cancer and he follows the Christianity religion. Eddie Kidd has not revealed any details about his parents’ name and education to the media. He grew up with his two siblings namely, Sarah-Jane Kidd, and Christine Morris.
Eddie Kidd Career Timeline
- Eddie Kidd began his career journey at the age of 14.
- At present, he is the holder of many world records for jumping over cars and buses.
- Moreover, Kidd has worked as a stunt double in films as well including Timothy Dalton in “The Living Daylights”, Roger Moore and Michael Caine in “Bullseye!” and Pierce Brosnan in “GoldenEye.”
- His very famous motorcycle stunts were in the 1979 film “Hanover Street” starring Harrison Ford. He doubles for Ford on a motorbike by jumping a 120 feet (37 m) railway cutting at 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
- Not only this but also, he doubled for Val Kilmer in “Top Secret!”.
- In his role as stunt biker Dave Munday in the 1981 film “Riding High”, he performed a motorcycle jump across an 80-foot gap in a disused viaduct across the Blackwater River in Essex.
- In the year 1993, he jumped over the Great Wall of China on a motorcycle.
- He performed more than 12,000 jumps in his career but he did not have a UK motorcycle license until 1995.
- It was in the year 1993, American motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel challenged him to a world title motorcycle “jump off” competition in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, USA.
- Knievel, son of the late Evel Knievel, had deemed Kidd to be the only motorcycle jump rider worthy of challenging him.
- The event was televised as a pay-per-view event titled “The Daredevil Duel: Knievel vs. Kidd” and the competition required each rider to make three motorbike jumps with the cumulative distance covered by each used to determine the winner. Thus, Eddie Kidd won by six feet.
Source: @pinterest
How did Eddie Kidd Get Paralyzed? Eddie Kidd Accident and Injury
- Eddie Kidd was involved in a serious motorcycle accident on 6th August 1996 while performing at the Bulldog Bash, held at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon.
- That day, he made a jump of approximately 15 m (49 ft) across a drag strip.
- The relatively short landing area beyond the drag strip consisted of an uphill incline leading to the edge of a steep embankment. He completed the jump and landed the bike upright on two wheels, his chin struck the petrol tank of his motorcycle and he was knocked unconscious.
- Due to this, he was unable to prevent himself and his bike from continuing up and over the 6 m (20 ft) embankment edge.
- He had serious head and pelvic injuries in the resulting fall.
- After the accident, doctors told his parents that it was possible he could be in a coma for up to 10 years.
- Fortunately, he regained consciousness within three months of the accident but was left paralyzed and with brain damage.
Source: @mirror.co.uk
Where is Eddie Kidd Now?
- Eddie Kidd then appeared in an episode of Russell Brand’s 2002 TV documentary series “RE:Brand” to talk about his life after the accident.
- He took control of a motorcycle again when he formally opened the Beyond Boundaries Live 2007 Exhibition at Sandown Park, Esher on 29th June 2007.
- He carried the Olympic Torch during its relay journey through Lewes, East Sussex on 17 July 2012.
- He started the 2011 London Marathon, ditching his wheelchair at the start and walking the rest of the way, stating it would take “four weeks to complete” and that it was his “greatest stunt yet” on 17th April 2011. On 6th June, he completed it. He also said he would compete in another marathon in two years’ time.
- On 14th November 2021, he made a guest appearance on the BBC show “Top Gear”
- In the show, presenter Paddy McGuinness recalled his childhood about Kidd’s stunts from his early career until his major accident. Afterward, he found out he survived and lived in southern England with mental conditions since his accident. McGuinness put on a display for him with the help of his fans who did various stunts that he did in his youth.
Eddie Kidd Married Life: Who is his wife?
Eddie Kidd was a married man and he is currently leading a single life without any disturbances. Till now, he has been married for three-time and he is the proud father of two children/daughters. He is enjoying his present life a lot. As per his sexual orientation, he is straight.
Previously, he was married to dancer and actress Debbie Ash, the sister of actress Leslie Ash. After having one child, Eddie and Debbie divorced. After that, he married Stringfellow’s waitress Sarah Carr and they had one child before their divorce. Then, he met model, Samantha Kirli in 2004 and they married in the year 2007. Later, they split in December 2012. In August 2013, Kirli was convicted of assaulting Kidd. The court heard that she tried to throttle Kidd, slapped him on the face and chest, and kicked him. She was sentenced to five months in prison and given a restraining order.
Source: @express.co.uk
What is the Net Worth of Eddie Kidd?
Eddie Kidd is a Stunt motorcycle performer who became known to the public for his daredevil jumps. The net worth of Eddie is estimated to have $5 Million as of 2021. Whereas his exact earnings and salary details have not been disclosed yet. In 1987, he branched into clothes and hair modeling and appeared in commercials for companies such as Sunsilk, Vileda, and Levi’s. He is living a cool lifestyle at present.
How tall is Eddie Kidd?
Eddie Kidd is a cool and handsome man with daring quality. He has a perfect and tall height of 5 ft 1 in or 155 cm. His balanced bodyweight consists of 115 lbs or 60 KG. Overall, he has got an average body type with a charming smile attracting a lot of people towards him. He is a well-recognized stunt performer. His dare-devil jumps ended in a terrible collision. He nearly lost his life facing an accident. Today, he is consigned to a wheelchair.
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