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Who was Kitty O’Neil?
Kitty O’Neil was an American stuntwoman and racer who became widely known in the 1970s for her record-breaking achievements in various fields. Born in 1946 in Texas, O’Neil was deaf from a young age due to a case of mumps. However, this did not stop her from pursuing her passions and excelling in them.
O’Neil started her career as a stuntwoman in Hollywood, where she performed dangerous stunts in movies and TV shows. She became the first woman to perform a high fall from a building in a movie and also worked as a stunt double for actresses such as Lynda Carter in “Wonder Woman.”
Kitty O’Neil: Early life
Kitty O’Neil was born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was the third child of her parents, Thomas and Patsy O’Neil.
When O’Neil was just five months old, she contracted mumps, which left her deaf. Despite this challenge, O’Neil was determined to live a full and active life.
As a child, O’Neil loved sports and was an accomplished athlete. She excelled in diving, swimming, and gymnastics, and also enjoyed playing basketball and softball. Her athletic abilities would later serve her well in her career as a stuntwoman and racer.
After graduating from high school, O’Neil moved to Kansas City to attend a school for the deaf. While there, she continued to participate in sports and also became involved in the local deaf community.
After finishing school, O’Neil moved to California, where she worked as a receptionist and later as a dental assistant. It was during this time that she was discovered by stuntman Hal Needham, who convinced her to try her hand at stunt work.
Despite the challenges she faced as a deaf woman in a male-dominated industry, O’Neil went on to achieve remarkable success as a stuntwoman and racer. She broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of women to pursue their dreams and defy societal expectations.
| Birthday | 24th March 1946 |
| Birthplace | Corpus Christi, Texas, USA |
| Death day | 2nd November 2018 |
| Place of death | Eureka, South Dakota, USA |
| Occupation | Stuntwoman |
77th birth anniversary of late Kitty O’Neil
Google celebrated the 77th birth anniversary of the late Kitty O’Neil with a special Google Doodle on March 12, 2023. The doodle featured an animated version of O’Neil in her iconic blue and white racing suit, standing next to a jet-powered vehicle with the Google logo displayed in the background.
The doodle paid tribute to O’Neil’s remarkable achievements as a stuntwoman and racer, highlighting her groundbreaking accomplishments in both fields. It also reflected her status as a trailblazer for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, showcasing her as an inspiration to generations of women who followed in her footsteps.
The doodle was launched worldwide and was visible to users who visited the Google homepage on March 12, 2023. It was created by artist Julie Wilkinson, who aimed to capture the excitement and energy of O’Neil’s life and career in design. The doodle was also accompanied by a brief biography of O’Neil’s life and achievements, providing users with more information about the woman being celebrated.
Kitty O’Neil: Career
As a stuntwoman, O’Neil started her career in Hollywood, performing dangerous stunts in movies and TV shows. She quickly gained a reputation as a fearless and skilled performer, becoming the first woman to perform a high fall from a building in a movie. She also worked as a stunt double for actresses such as Lynda Carter in “Wonder Woman” and Lindsay Wagner in “The Bionic Woman.”
How did Neil end up becoming a stuntwoman?
Kitty O’Neil became a stuntwoman by chance, after a chance encounter with legendary stuntman Hal Needham. O’Neil was working as a receptionist at the time, and Needham had come to her office to meet with her boss.
During the meeting, Needham noticed O’Neil’s athletic build and asked if she would be interested in doing stunts. Although she had no prior experience in the field, O’Neil was intrigued and agreed to give it a try.
Needham took O’Neil under his wing and taught her the skills she needed to become a stuntwoman. She quickly proved herself to be a natural, and her fearlessness and athleticism made her a valuable asset on set.
O’Neil’s first big break came when she was cast as a stunt double for actress Lindsay Wagner in “The Bionic Woman.” She went on to work on numerous other TV shows and movies, performing dangerous stunts such as car crashes, high falls, and fire burns.
