Robert Irwin Says His Father Steve Would Be Proud of His DWTS Journey

Robert Irwin, son of the late wildlife legend Steve Irwin, believes his dad would be thrilled to see him competing on Dancing with the Stars.

The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist recently performed alongside professional dancer Witney Carson, closing the show with an energetic routine set to Steppenwolf’s rock classic Born to Be Wild. In a touching nod to his father, Robert wore one of Steve’s iconic shirts and ended his performance by raising both fists in the air — a gesture instantly recognizable to fans of “The Crocodile Hunter.”

In a backstage conversation with Access Hollywood, Robert shared that his father would have been “so stoked” to watch him dance. He described Steve as someone who lived with relentless energy and passion, traits Robert tries to bring into everything he does — even ballroom dancing.

“I get the privilege of continuing Dad’s legacy, and honestly, I never imagined that would happen through dance. But here we are, and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Robert said.

Dancing with the Stars season 34 premiered on September 16 and airs every Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. on ABC, with simultaneous streaming on Disney+.