20 Years On: Steve Irwin on how he became 'The Crocodile Hunter'

In 2002, Australian legend Steve Irwin and wife Terri Irwin released the film 'The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course". This iconic footage shows interviews from the premiere of the film. Source: Getty

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- How did you get your start as The Crocodile Hunter?

STEVE IRWIN: I was born into it, didn't have a choice. My dad's a herpetologist and a very great naturalist and conservationist. My mom's a wildlife rehabilitator. So I was born into it, mate. Yeah.

TERRI IRWIN: And John Stainton, the director of the movie, first saw some vision Steve shot of himself catching crocodiles. And he said, this is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. We've got to get this on television. And that was the birth of "The Crocodile Hunter" show.

STEVE IRWIN: Oh, mate, I don't know whether you can see it, I got hit by an alligator last night, like right here. Did a pretty heavy makeup job on it. It's a great job. I was on the "Jay Leno Show," and it goes whack! Hit me right on the cheekbone. Yeah, I'll get bitten occasionally, you know, every now and again. But it's never the animal's fault. It's always my fault. I know what I'm going up against when I go in. And if I take a hit, it's my fault.

Like on Jay Leno last night, that alligator hit me, that's not his fault. I feel sorry for Bubba. Actually, Bubba is here somewhere. He's the best alligator you've ever seen. But no, mate, I've never been bitten by a venomous snake. It's my dad. He is my hero, and I mimic him. And I'm scared of him kicking me in the bottom if I make a mistake.

- And what's the premise of "The Crocodile Hunter?"

STEVE IRWIN: "The Crocodile Hunter" is all about conservation, mate. Woo! That's what makes us tick. Every single cent we earn from "Crocodile Hunter" is going straight back into conservation, bar no cents.

- Great, thank you very much.

STEVE IRWIN: Thank you.