Robert Irwin has become a star of his own while carrying on his late father Steve Irwin’s legacy.

Born in December 2003, Robert is the second of Steve and Terri Irwin’s two children. He and his older sister, Bindi Irwin, began following in their parents’ conservationist footsteps from an early age by appearing alongside them on TV and at the famous Australia Zoo.

Robert was only 2 years old when Steve died at age 44 in 2006 following a stingray injury. Not only do the father and son share a strong physical resemblance, but Robert has continued his conservation and wildlife rescue work over the years through photography, on TV and by regularly hosting animal demonstrations at the Australia Zoo.

Like Steve, Robert has also built a strong TV career with appearances on morning and late-night shows, as well as reality shows such as Crikey! It’s the Irwins and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! In April 2025, Robert was announced to be joining the season 34 cast of Dancing With the Stars that fall.

Robert paid tribute to Steve while celebrating his 21st birthday in November 2024. “Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st,” he captioned throwback snaps of his dad via Instagram. “It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate!”

Scroll down for a look back at Robert’s biggest moments over the years:

Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

2006

Robert was 2 years old when the world mourned the death of his father, Steve. Terri was seen holding a young Robert during a memorial service held for The Crocodile Hunter star at the Australia Zoo shortly after his September 2006 death.

Credit: Rob Loud/Getty Images

2007-2015

Throughout his childhood, Robert continued to make more TV appearances on shows such as Bindi, The Jungle Girl, Kate Plus 8, Adam Hills in Gordon St. Tonight and Wild But True.

Credit: YouTube

2015

Robert traveled to Los Angeles to cheer on Bindi as she competed on season 21 of DWTS. She finished the season in first place, taking home the mirrorball trophy with her partner, Derek Hough.

Credit: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube

2017

Robert made his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at age 13. His recurring guest appearances — in which he teaches host Jimmy Fallon about different kinds of animals — are among some of his most memorable TV moments.

Credit: ©Animal Planet / Courtesy: Everett Collection

2018

Robert starred alongside Terri, Bindi and her husband, Chandler Powell, on the Animal Planet series Crikey! It’s the Irwins, which ran for four seasons from 2018 to 2022. The reality show followed the family through their daily operations at Australia Zoo, their wildlife work and life milestones, such as Bindi’s wedding and pregnancy.

Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

2019

Robert and Bindi were both named to the TIME 100 Next list for their wildlife and environmental advocacy and protection work. “The amazing thing with our dad was that he was talking about climate change and the effects that it had kind of before it was as popular as it is now,” he told the magazine in November 2019. “He was definitely ahead of his time.”

Credit: Courtesy of Bindi Irwin/Instagram

2020

Robert filled in for Steve at Bindi and Chandler’s wedding by walking his big sister down the aisle. Robert got emotional during the procession down the aisle and while giving a speech at the couple’s intimate reception.

“Walking you down the aisle today, Bindi, it was probably the greatest honor and the most special moment of my life, for sure,” he said through tears in a video of the March 2020 wedding shared via the Australia Zoo’s YouTube channel. “I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Chandler into the family, and I know Dad would be proud.”

Credit: Courtesy of Bindi Irwin/Instagram

2021

Robert took on a new role as an uncle with the birth of Bindi and Chandler’s daughter, Grace. “Let the uncle adventures begin! Love you so much, Grace ❤️,” he captioned a March 2021 Instagram pic of himself holding his then-newborn niece. “This little one picked the two best parents in the entire world. The most incredible, caring and strong Mum … and the funnest, coolest and kindest Dad. Love you three so much – I can’t wait for this exciting journey ahead!”

Credit: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

2022

Robert began dating Rorie Buckley, one of the late actor Heath Ledger’s nieces, in November 2022. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Sydney premiere of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 in July 2023 before announcing their split in February 2024.

Credit: Don Arnold/WireImage

March 2024

Robert took over for TV presenter Chris Brown as cohost of the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! with Julia Morris. The reality series sees celebrities compete to become King or Queen of the Jungle by spending up to three weeks surviving in the jungle and participating in challenges.

Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images

September 2024

Robert and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha were named the first-ever Global Ambassadors for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, which honors five people every year for their environmentalism and helps raise awareness and find solutions for improving our environment.

“My entire life has been centered around conservation and continuing an important legacy that my dad and my family started, and it’s given me a real deep appreciation for the need to repair and restore our ecosystems,” Robert said in a YouTube video for the organization.

He added, “Being an Earthshot Prize Ambassador means I’ll get to take you guys along on the journey as we find out what some of the Earthshot finalists are doing and really showcasing the hope that we have for the future.”

Credit: Bonds/Mega

April 2025

Robert went viral for sporting nothing but briefs in an ad for the underwear company Bonds. Paying tribute to his wildlife work, Robert posed for pics while holding a snake across his neck. He seemingly referenced the ad when he was announced to be joining the season 34 cast of DWTS shortly after, appearing shirtless at an event while carrying a snake.