A Life in Motion: The Thrilling Career of Stuntwoman and Speed Racer Kitty O'Neil

Kitty O'Neil was an extraordinary woman who made a name for herself as a stuntwoman, deaf advocate, and speed racer. Her life was filled with accomplishments and challenges, and her story is one of resilience, determination, and inspiration.

Early Life and Childhood

Kitty O'Neil was born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born premature and weighed only two pounds, which led to her being deaf. Her parents, Patsy and Thomas O'Neil were told by doctors that their daughter would not survive. However, Kitty proved them wrong and survived, though her hearing was permanently impaired.

Kitty's childhood was not easy. She was bullied at school for being deaf, and her family struggled financially. Despite these challenges, Kitty was determined to live life to the fullest. She loved sports and spent much of her time playing softball and basketball. She was also an excellent swimmer and spent many hours swimming in the local pool.

As she grew older, Kitty became interested in racing. She loved the thrill of speed and the challenge of pushing herself to the limit. She started racing go-karts at the age of 18 and quickly showed a talent for the sport.

Career as a Stuntwoman

Kitty's racing career led her to Hollywood, where she met stunt coordinator Hal Needham. Needham was impressed by Kitty's fearlessness and asked her to join his team of stuntwomen. Kitty accepted the offer, and soon she was performing stunts in movies and television shows.

Kitty's first major stunt was in the movie "The Bionic Woman." She performed a high fall from a building, which involved jumping from a height of 127 feet onto an airbag. This stunt set a record for the highest fall performed by a woman.

Kitty went on to perform stunts in many other movies and TV shows, including "Wonder Woman," "The Blues Brothers," and "Magnum P.I." She also became the stunt double for famous actresses such as Farrah Fawcett and Lindsay Wagner.

Kitty's most famous stunt came in 1979 when she set a land-speed record for women. She drove a rocket-powered car called the "Smi 500" at a speed of 512 mph on a dry lake bed in Oregon. This record still stands today, and Kitty is recognized as the fastest woman on wheels.

Advocacy for the Deaf

Throughout her career, Kitty was a strong advocate for the deaf community. She believed that being deaf should not limit a person's potential and those deaf people should be given equal opportunities in life.

Kitty often spoke publicly about her experiences as a deaf person and encouraged others to learn sign language. She also worked with organizations such as the National Association of the Deaf to promote deaf rights and raise awareness about the challenges faced by the deaf community.

Personal Life

Kitty's personal life was not without challenges. She was married three times and had a son named Richard, who died at the age of 14 from complications related to cystic fibrosis.

In 1982, Kitty was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The disease affected her ability to walk and perform stunts, but she refused to let it stop her from living life to the fullest. She continued to race and perform stunts, using a wheelchair or crutches when necessary.

Later Years and Legacy

In her later years, Kitty retired from racing and stunts but remained active in the deaf community. She continued to speak publicly about the importance of equal opportunities for deaf people and inspired many with her determination and resilience.

Kitty passed away on November 2, 2018, at the age of 72. Her legacy lives on as an inspiration to all those who face challenges in life.