AUBURN —
The film is called ‘Being Evel’ and no one knows that better than Placer County resident Gary Davis.
Back in the early 1970’s, Davis was a top rival to the flamboyant motorcycle daredevil. But in 1975, after a highly publicized accident, the two became trusted allies.
“He called me to take his place after he crashed over the 13 buses in London,” recalled Davis. “And I’ve been working with him ever since.”
For the next several years, Davis was Evel Knievel’s stunt double. In moves, TV shows, and even during some of his death-deifying stunts.
“No question, he was the man. He was a huge, huge, huge name,” he said. “Maybe the biggest name in the world.”
Davis went on to work in close to 300 Hollywood films as a stuntman and director, but on Thursday evening at the State Theater, Davis was again playing the part of Knievel’s understudy. Before the documentary on the life of Evel Knievel was shown, Davis told the audience a few stories of his time with the late daredevil.
Although Davis had nothing to do with the film’s production and had yet to see it before its showing, his personal touch gave way to some unique insight about a true 70’s icon.
“Traveling with Evel wasn’t an easy deal,” he recalled. “And he had an ego to match it. So he and I had to have some almost-physical talks.”
“So you guys bumped heads?” I asked.
” Oh boy, all the time.”
