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Birth
Steve Irwin was born in Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. -
Met the love of his life
Irwin met American-born Terri Raines, who in was in Australia on vacation. The couple later married and spent part of their honeymoon filming crocodiles. -
The Crocodile Hunter
The footage shot on the honeymoon became part of his Australian television show The Crocodile Hunter. -
Animal Planet
The series was picked up by the American cable network Animal Planet. At the peak of its popularity, the show aired in more than 200 countries. -
Elseya irwini
During a fishing trip off the coast of Queensland with his father, Irwin discovered a new species of turtle. Afterwards, he had the honor of naming the new species, named Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) in honor of his family. -
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Irwin continued to work with director Mark Strickson to present "The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World." She appeared in several episodes of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. -
Movies
Irwin appeared as himself in the film Dr. Dolittle 2 with Eddie Murphy. The following year, Irwin and his wife starred in their own film, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course. -
Wiggly Safari
Irwin and his family were featured in the Wiggles video / DVD called Wiggly Safari, which was filmed at the Australia Zoo and featured music and dance inspired by the wildlife of Australia. -
The Ghan
Irwin ran an advertising campaign for The Ghan, a passenger train that operates between Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Darwin.A Pacific National NR-class locomotive was named Steve Irwin as part of the campaign. -
Sea lion documentary
Irwin was filming a documentary about sea lions off the coast of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico when he learned from his radio that two divers had strayed in the area. Irwin and his entire crew suspended operations to aid in the search. -
Controversy
Irwin occasionally received criticism for his stunts. Some said that he was exploiting the animals that appeared on his shows. On one occasion he sparked an even greater controversy by feeding a crocodile while he was carrying his young son. -
The Ghan
Irwin was appointed ambassador for The Ghan, the passenger train from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the central Australian outback, when the line was extended to Darwin on the north coast that same year. For a time it was sponsored by Toyota. -
Happy Feet
Irwin provided his voice for the 2006 animated film Happy Feet as a sea elephant named Trev. The film was dedicated to Irwin, as he died in post-production Another, previously incomplete scene, of Irwin providing his voice to an albatross and basically acting as himself, was included on the DVD. -
Tragic Death
Irwin was filming a new program off the coast of Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia. Snorkeling near a stingray, he was pierced in the chest by its barb, which hit his heart. Irwin died of cardiac arrest shortly after being stung.
