Kitty O'Neil: The Life and Times of a Stuntwoman Extraordinaire

Kitty O'Neil: The Life and Times of a Stuntwoman Extraordinaire

Kitty O'Neil was a woman of many talents, a daredevil who achieved incredible feats and left an indelible mark on the world of stuntwork. Her story is one of perseverance, determination, and an unshakable spirit that carried her through adversity and propelled her to the heights of success.

Kitty was born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born deaf, a fact that would shape her life in many ways, but it was also the source of her strength and resilience. Despite the challenges she faced, she refused to let her disability define her, and she was determined to live life on her own terms.

Kitty's early years were spent in a Catholic orphanage, where she received a basic education and learned to communicate through sign language. Her first exposure to the world of sports came when she was six years old, and she discovered a love of swimming. Her natural athleticism and competitive spirit led her to excel at the sport, and by the time she was a teenager, she was competing at a national level.

After leaving the orphanage, Kitty moved to Hollywood and began working as a model and a stuntwoman. She quickly gained a reputation as one of the best in the business, thanks to her fearlessness, her physical abilities, and her willingness to take on any challenge.

Over the course of her career, Kitty performed a wide range of stunts, including car crashes, high falls, and fire burns. She was also the first woman to perform a full-body burn, an incredibly dangerous stunt that involved being set on fire and then jumping off a high platform into a pool of water. She completed the stunt in just over six seconds, setting a world record that still stands today.

Kitty's career highlights also include serving as Lynda Carter's stunt double on the popular TV show "Wonder Woman" and performing stunts in films such as "The Blues Brothers" and "Airport 1975." She was also a regular on the TV show "That's Incredible!" where she performed death-defying stunts that left audiences in awe.

Despite her many accomplishments, Kitty faced discrimination and obstacles throughout her life. She often had to fight for the same opportunities and pay as her male counterparts, and she was sometimes viewed as a novelty rather than a serious professional. But she refused to let these challenges hold her back, and she continued to break barriers and set new standards in the world of stuntwork.

In addition to her work as a stuntwoman, Kitty was also an accomplished race car driver and speed skater. She set several speed records, including a land-speed record for women that stood for 27 years.

Kitty's achievements in the world of sports and stuntwork were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her life. She was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2020, a statue was erected in her honor in her hometown of Corpus Christi.

Kitty O'Neil passed away on November 2, 2018, at the age of 72. She left behind a legacy of courage, determination, and accomplishment that will continue to inspire generations to come. Her story is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and to the incredible things that can be achieved with hard work, dedication, and a refusal to give up in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Kitty O'Neil was a true pioneer and trailblazer in the world of sports and stuntwork. Despite facing discrimination and adversity throughout her life, she refused to let her deafness or her gender hold her back, and she achieved incredible feats that still stand as records today. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to all who strive to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance.