Who is Kitty O’Neil? Getting to Know One of Hollywood's Most Prominent Stunt Drivers

Who is Kitty O’Neil? Getting to Know One of Hollywood's Most Prominent Stunt Drivers

When you think of Hollywood stunt drivers, names like Steve McQueen and Burt Reynolds might come to mind. However, there is one name that often goes unrecognized: Kitty O’Neil. Despite being deaf, O'Neil became one of the most prominent stunt drivers in Hollywood history. In this blog, we will explore who Kitty O’Neil was, her impressive career as a stunt driver, and her legacy in the film industry.

Who was Kitty O'Neil?

Kitty O'Neil was born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1946. When she was just five months old, she contracted a fever that left her permanently deaf. Despite her disability, she never let it hold her back. As a child, she became an accomplished swimmer and diver, and as she got older, she discovered a passion for speed and adventure.

Birthday	24th March 1946
Birthplace	Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Death day	2nd November 2018
Place of death	Eureka, South Dakota, USA
Occupation	Stuntwoman

Career as a stunt driver:

In the 1970s, O'Neil began her career as a stunt driver, and she quickly made a name for herself in Hollywood. She worked on some of the biggest movies of the era, including "The Blues Brothers," "Smokey and the Bandit II," and "Airport '77." She was also a stunt double for famous actresses like Lindsay Wagner and Lynda Carter.

O'Neil's most significant accomplishment came in 1976 when she set the land-speed record for women by driving a rocket-powered vehicle called the "SMI Motivator" at a speed of 512 miles per hour. This record still stands today, and it earned O'Neil a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Legacy in the film industry: 

Despite her impressive career, O'Neil's name is not as well-known as some of her male counterparts in the stunt driving world. However, her impact on the film industry cannot be overstated. She broke barriers and paved the way for other women in Hollywood to pursue careers in stunt work. She also served as a role model for deaf people around the world, showing them that anything is possible if you have the determination and the drive.