Irwin got into the profession of wrestling with crocodiles and snakes en camera accidentally.
As a youth at his parents' tiny, home-grown zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, Irwin developed a rapport and an affection for animals ranging from kangaroos to lizards and pythons.
He and his dad were adept at the art of capturing for the zoo, with their bare hands, crocodiles, that were over-running the countryside.
One of Irwin's 'home videos' of his wildlife escapades came into the hands of an Australian producer John Stainton. Stainton was gripped by the footage and marketed the concept to Australian networks and the Crocodile Hunter was born.
As he gained fame, Irwin was criticised for the gimmicky showbiz tactics he used while introducing animals on his show. Animal conservationists disapproved of the manner in which Irwin provoked animals and surprised them in the course of filming them.
But Irwin always emphasised that his strategy was to acquaint the world with the fact that even the animals that looked like the world's most dangerous were not to be feared.
He said, 'Our whole passion to be on this planet is to educate people about wildlife. I will die doing that. I have a gift.'
Photograph: Irwin pretends to kiss a camel at a Sydney launch for a new train service in June 2003. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Also read: A memorial service for Steve Irwin
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