When did Steve Irwin die? Son Robert wishes dad was 'here to watch him' on DWTS

Robert Irwin, the conservationist, wildlife photographer, zookeeper, and the son of Steve Irwin, is burning up the dance floor on Dancing With The Stars and "wishes" that his father, "The Crocodile Hunter," was "here to watch” him dance as Robert opened up to People on Tuesday.

The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin passed away on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44, after a stingray barb fatally pierced his chest during filming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Robert was just two years old at the time. Despite spending little time with his father and growing up without him, Robert has come a long way, continuing his father's wildlife conservation work alongside his mother, Terri, and sister, Bindi.

After making his Dancing with the Stars debut, Robert told People that he has always felt his father's influence. He revealed:

“I'm doing this and I do what I do in life to make him proud.”

He added that his Steve Irwin would have been really "stoked" to see him dance on the show:

“Dad was the person who just gave everything he did, everything he had truly. And this experience, that's what you've got to do. You've got to show every side to yourself. You've got to put every single fiber of your energy into this, and you get all of that back."

Robert and his dance partner Witney Carson really showed that it takes two to tango with their performance to Junior Senior's "Move Your Feet" in the September 23 episode. Their high-spirited dance was loved by the judges, who also praised their performance. Judge Derek Hough summed the performance in one word, "Crikey," which was Steve Irwin's famous catchphrase. Judge Bruno Tonioli described his performance as “leading man mode,” while Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said:

“This level of competition is insane. Your charisma is off the charts.”

Robert said that the experience was "amazing" and "surreal," and that he felt as though he was "just flying" while performing:

“You get this feeling of just flying."

He clarified that the program has allowed him to present a new aspect of himself. He also spoke highly of his dance partner on the show:

“I'm just happy I get to be in this room and to be doing this with Witney."

He added:

“It's such an honor, but we're here to pump in some positivity. We just really want to bring a sense of joy and fun and passion … She's just the absolute best, and we're a great team."

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Robert Irwin's bond with his father, Steve Irwin

Robert Irwin reflected on the strong connection he continues to feel with his father, Steve Irwin despite losing him at a young age:

“There isn't a day that goes by when someone isn't sharing how dad inspired them. It means everything to me, because every year I live, I actually feel closer to my dad.”

According to The India Times, Robert revealed that every interaction enables him to establish unexpected and significant connections with his father, Steve Irwin, as fans share anecdotes, new photos, and old videos, which bring up a lot of memories.

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Carrying the Irwin family torch

Other than enjoying life in the wilderness, it seems that the Irwins also love dancing. Now that Robert Irwin is on Dancing With the Stars, it seems that it has become a tradition. Bindi Irwin won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in season 21 back in 2015. Robert added:

“You could hear the screams of excitement from Australia when I told her I was going to do the show.”

Robert seems happy to be following her in this journey as well. He also got some advice from her as well, he said:

“The first thing she said is 'make it your own,' which has stuck with me.”

Before lighting up the stage on the show, Robert was being modest about his dance moves. He said:

“We definitely have that dancing culture, but we're far less refined. Every silly dance move probably came from us—my go-to was always the sprinkler!”

The Irwin siblings continue to run Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors, a non-profit started by their parents, Terri and Steve Irwin.

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Robert Irwin opens up about love, family, and finding the "one"

In an April interview with People, Rober revealed that he was single and has a very good idea where he might find his life partner. He said:

"I'm single. It's funny, I'm at this point in my life where I'm like, I'm so open to that, but I'm just waiting for the stars to align."

He added that his parents met 34 years ago when his mom Terri was visiting the zoo and met his father, Steve Irwin:

"Interestingly, my parents, my sister Bindi met her husband [Chandler Powell] here — everyone met here at our wildlife sanctuary."

He joked:

"In both instances, there were American tourists that were coming over and visiting the zoo. So I'm waiting. I'm waiting for that American tourist to come into the zoo and for it all to happen!"

He added on the love he searches for:

"I look at the couple goals in my life. I look at when my brother-in-law Chandler and my sister Bindi met, it was just meant to be. And when my mom and dad met, it was this crazy serendipitous, amazing moment that just was a fluke."

While Robert Irwin waits for that American tourist, he is busy conserving wildlife and burning up the floor on DWTS.

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