Kitty O'Neil was an American stuntwoman, daredevil, and racer who overcame the odds to become one of the most accomplished figures in her field. Despite being born deaf and losing her hearing completely at the age of five, O'Neil made a name for herself as a Hollywood stuntwoman and accomplished racer, setting records for land and water speed.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1946, O'Neil's early years were marked by illness and adversity. At the age of five, she contracted measles, which left her deaf. Undeterred, she learned to read lips and communicate through sign language. As a child, she was an accomplished athlete, excelling in gymnastics, diving, and track.
After moving to California in her late teens, O'Neil found work as a model and began to pursue a career in stunts. She quickly made a name for herself, working as a stunt double for stars such as Lynda Carter, Farrah Fawcett, and Lindsay Wagner on television shows such as "Wonder Woman" and "The Bionic Woman." She also performed stunts in films such as "Smokey and the Bandit II" and "The Blues Brothers."
O'Neil's skills as a stuntwoman were not limited to traditional action sequences. She also performed high falls, fire burns, and other dangerous stunts. In 1978, she set a world record for the longest and highest fall by a woman, jumping 127 feet (38.7 meters) from the top of the Valley Hilton hotel in Sherman Oaks, California.
In addition to her work in Hollywood, O'Neil was an accomplished racer, setting records for land and water speed. In 1976, she drove a rocket-powered car at an average speed of 512 mph (824 km/h) across the Alvord Desert in Oregon, setting a land-speed record for women. She also set records for water skiing, earning her a spot in the International Water Ski Hall of Fame.
O'Neil's achievements were all the more remarkable given her deafness. She relied on visual cues and vibrations to navigate high-speed races and dangerous stunts. Her success inspired many people with disabilities, showing that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.
Tragically, O'Neil's career was cut short by a near-fatal accident on the set of "The Bionic Woman" in 1979. While performing a high-speed car stunt, her vehicle crashed and burst into flames. O'Neil suffered extensive burns and was forced to retire from the entertainment industry.
Despite the end of her career, O'Neil continued to inspire others with her story. She spent her later years as a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, determination, and trailblazing achievement.
In conclusion, Kitty O'Neil was a remarkable figure in the entertainment and racing industries, overcoming adversity to achieve great success. Her achievements as a stuntwoman and racer inspired many people, showing that with dedication and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of trailblazers and barrier-breakers.
