Robert Irwin Honors Late Dad Steve Irwin By Recreating Touching Photo

Apr 25, 2023

Although it has been years since Australian television personality and wildlife lover Steve Irwin passed in 2006, his family – wife Terri and children Bindi and Robert – have kept his legacy alive and are sure to remember him as they pass every major milestone of their lives. For his son Robert, that means cherishing past memories with his father and sharing them with the world, as he did with a heartwarming Instagram post involving his father's iconic car.

Lifelong wildlife lover Steve rose to fame with the show "The Crocodile Hunter" in 1996 as its host alongside his wife. His enthusiastic and energetic manner won him a legion of fans, and viewers returned episode after episode to catch up with his lively and animated presenting style. Consistently clad in his signature khakis, the show made Irwin a household name and introduced his catchphrase "Crikey!" to the wider world. The show ran for 11 years until 2007 and was the longest-running series on the Discovery Communications network.

Steve also picked up fans in the U.S. through his frequent appearances on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." He was also a committed conservationist, launching the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, International Crocodile Rescue, the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund and the Iron Bark Station Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility.

Steve and Terri married in 1992 and welcomed Bindi in 1998 and Robert in 2003. But tragedy struck in 2006: while filming an episode for "Ocean's Deadliest" in the Great Barrier Reef, Steve was stabbed in the heart by a short-tail stingray barb. His death shocked fans who had watched Steve for years put himself in challenging situations to create awareness of the natural world. Read on to find out how Robert is carrying on his father's legacy and the beautiful ways he honors his memory.

Robert has followed in the footsteps of his nature-loving father, Steve, by donning the signature khakis and making appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." He also lends his famous last name to shows, including "Crikey! It's The Irwins" with his mother, Terri and sister Bindi, and "Ten Deadliest Snakes." A staple at Australia Zoo, Robert is also an avid photographer, lending his skills to conservation campaigns and other channels to raise funds and awareness. His efforts have taken him across the world for photography expeditions and led him to meet King Charles III to discuss wildlife habitat conservation.

Besides sharing a passion for wildlife and conservation like his father, Robert also shares an uncanny physical resemblance to his dad, with many mistaking him for his beloved father in the photos he shares on social media. 

In February 2020, he posted a snap of himself that showed him looking eerily like his late father, so much so that people had to look twice. The photo, which was shared on Instagram, showed the then-16-year-old Robert smiling with his eyes closed while holding a koala — so much about the photo channels his dad's energy.

People could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the photo of Robert, and fans who followed him felt quite moved when they witnessed the similarities to his father. It has definitely brought up a lot of nostalgia. One person commented: "Didn't look at the name on the shirt and honest to god thought I was looking at Steve." Another person added: "I legit thought this was Steve," 7NEWS reported.

Robert often pays tribute to his late father on Instagram, particularly on milestones like birthdays. In April 2023, however, he took a different approach and left fans emotional with a recreation of a touching past memory.

On Apr. 18, 2023, Robert shared a vintage snap of him as a baby nestled in his father's lap while in his utility vehicle, often known as a "ute." In the photo, Steve was seen giving his toddler son a go at the steering wheel. The next photo showed Robert in the same ute from the same angle as the first picture. The caption read:

"My dad's ute… it's a special car. From early memories when Dad would park and let me pretend to drive, to more recently when I took my drivers test in it (and somehow managed not to stall it 😂). I remember my first solo drive in this car after I got my license - it was to the hospital to meet my niece for the first time, right after she was born. And now, the ute still comes on road trips to this day…"

Fans were stirred by Robert's tribute and praised the upstanding young man for upholding his father's legacy.

"You and your family honor your father in everything you do. He left his legacy in good hands ❤️" one comment read, while another user said, "Ngl thought ot was you for a sec in the first pic then seen the caption and did a double take. You're so much like you're dad in so many ways! Bet he's happy his ute is still being put to good use 🙃"

A third commenter wrote:

"You truly are his double & keeping his legacy & spirit alive, well done mate your dad would be absolutely beaming with Pride."

His post also melted the hearts of many fans, who said it moved them nearly to tears. One user wrote:

"Excuse me whilst I go cry in the corner…"

How endearing is Robert's tribute to his dad? Do you feel like he and Steve share many similarities? Let us know, and don't forget to pass this along to friends and family, too.