77th Birth Anniversery of Late Kitty O'Neil

Kitty O'Neil was an American stuntwoman and racer who gained fame for her daring feats in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite being born deaf, O'Neil never let her disability hold her back and became a trailblazer in the world of motorsports and film stunts.

O'Neil was born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1946. When she was just five months old, she contracted measles, mumps, and smallpox, which left her deaf. Her parents didn't know how to communicate with her, so she didn't learn to speak until she was about five years old. Despite these challenges, O'Neil learned to lip-read and communicate effectively.

O'Neil's love for speed and adrenaline began at a young age. She was an avid swimmer and diver, and she loved to ride horses. As a teenager, she discovered drag racing and began competing at local tracks. In the late 1960s, she moved to California and started working as a stuntwoman.

After recovering from meningitis she lost interest in diving stating that it “wasn’t scary enough for me” so she turned to water skiing scuba diving skydiving hang gliding racing on water and land participating in events such as Baja 500 Mint

O'Neil quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented and fearless stuntwomen in Hollywood. She performed stunts in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Bionic Woman," "Wonder Woman," and "The Blues Brothers." She was also a regular stunt double for actress Lynda Carter in the "Wonder Woman" TV series.

One of O'Neil's most memorable stunts was in the 1979 film "The China Syndrome." In the film, she played a stunt double for actress Jane Fonda in a scene where Fonda's character has to run away from an exploding nuclear power plant. O'Neil had to run through flames and jump over a ledge while wearing a flame-retardant suit. The stunt was so dangerous that O'Neil had to wear a special breathing apparatus to protect her from the heat and smoke.

In addition to her work in film and TV, O'Neil was also an accomplished racer. In 1976, she set a land-speed record for women by driving a rocket-powered car at 512 miles per hour. She also set records for speed on water, reaching speeds of over 275 miles per hour on a jet ski.

O'Neil's success as a stuntwoman and racer inspired many people, both deaf and hearing. She was a trailblazer for women in motorsports and helped to break down barriers for people with disabilities in Hollywood. She also used her platform to advocate for better opportunities for deaf people in the entertainment industry.

Sadly, O'Neil passed away in 2018 at the age of 72. However, her legacy lives on as an inspiration to those who face challenges and obstacles in their lives. She proved that with hard work, determination, and a fearless spirit, anything is possible.

In conclusion, Kitty O'Neil was a true trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Despite being born deaf, she never let her disability hold her back and went on to become one of the most accomplished stuntwomen and racers of her time. Her fearless spirit and determination to succeed in a male-dominated industry paved the way for future generations of women and people with disabilities. She will always be remembered as a true icon in the world of motorsports and film stunts.

Google on Friday celebrated the 77th birth anniversary of Kitty O'Neil, once crowned as the fastest woman in the world, with a creative doodle that paid tribute to the ace race driver's daredevil career. Born today, on March 24, 1946, O'Neil was an American races and stuntwoman who became a well-known action figure in the film industry.