Kitty O’Neil, renowned as “The Fastest Woman in the World,” was a Hollywood stuntwoman and race car driver. She achieved this title by setting the women’s land speed record at an astonishing 512.710 mi/h (825.127 km/h) in 1976.
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Kitty O’Neil Profile Summary
| Full Name | Kitty Linn O’Neil |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1946 |
| Known As | Daredevil |
| Place of Birth | Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX, United States |
| Date of Passing | November 2, 2018 |
| Place of Passing | Eureka, McPherson County, SD, United States |
| Age Of Passing | 72 years old |
| Nationality | United States |
| Gender | Female |
| Height: | 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 meters) |
| Marital History | Thomas Allen Justice (Married on June 14, 1980 – Divorced) Duffy Hambleton (Married in 1972 – Divorced) John D. Piazza (Married on April 15, 1967 – Divorced in January 1968) |
| Profession | Stuntwoman, Auto Racer |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
Kitty O’Neil Early Life
Originally hailing from Texas, Kitty O’Neil had been deaf since infancy. Her father, John R. O’Neil, who tragically perished in an airplane crash during her childhood, was of Irish descent. Kitty was raised by her mother, Patsy Linn Compton, a Cherokee Native American. Patsy taught Kitty to lip-read instead of using sign language and later established a school for the hearing-impaired.
During her teenage years, Kitty excelled as a competitive diver, specializing in the 10-meter platform and 3-meter springboard events, clinching championships at the Amateur Athletic Union diving competitions. Under the guidance of diving coach Sammy Lee, she began her training in 1964.
However, her dreams of making it to the 1964 Olympics were dashed when she suffered a broken wrist and contracted spinal meningitis before the trials, jeopardizing her ability to walk and ending her chances of joining the Olympic diving team.
Undeterred by setbacks, Kitty showcased her versatility by participating in swimming events, specifically the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle, at the 1965 Summer Deaflympics. After her recovery from meningitis, she found her passion waning for diving and ventured into more exhilarating pursuits like water skiing, scuba diving, skydiving, and hang gliding, citing diving as not being thrilling enough for her.
In her late 30s, Kitty faced another formidable challenge, undergoing two cancer treatments, displaying her enduring spirit and determination throughout her life.
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Early Athletic Pursuits
In her elementary school years, Kitty O’Neil initially delved into competitive swimming, a passion that eventually led her to the world of diving. The turning point came in 1962 when her mother relocated the family to Anaheim, California. The move was aimed at providing Kitty with an opportunity to refine her diving skills under the tutelage of the renowned coach, Sammy Lee.
Kitty’s dedication and training paid off when she secured the twelfth position in the U.S. team trials for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, marking a significant milestone in her diving career.
However, fate dealt a cruel blow later that year when she fell critically ill with spinal meningitis, shattering her Olympic aspirations.
Undeterred by this setback, Kitty explored various sports, embracing adventures in hang gliding, water skiing, and skydiving. Among these pursuits, she found her thrill in water skiing speed-racing. In 1970, she achieved remarkable success, setting the women’s water ski speed record at an impressive 104.85 miles per hour, showcasing her unwavering determination and resilience.
Racing And Stunt Performance
In the realm of racing and stunt performance, Kitty O’Neil made a significant impact. By 1970, she delved into both water and land racing, participating in renowned events such as the Baja 500 and Mint 400.
During her motorcycle racing days, she crossed paths with stuntmen Hal Needham and Ron Hambleton. O’Neil even lived with Hambleton for a period, momentarily putting her racing pursuits on hold.
In the mid-1970s, she transitioned into stunt work, honing her skills under the guidance of Needham, Hambleton, and Dar Robinson. Notably, in 1976, she became the pioneering woman to join Stunts Unlimited, a prominent stunt agency. As a highly skilled stuntwoman, O’Neil showcased her talents in popular productions like The Bionic Woman, Airport ’77, The Blues Brothers, and Smokey and the Bandit II, among others.
In 1978, her remarkable stunt career even led to the creation of a Kitty O’Neil action figure by Mattel.
One of her standout feats occurred during the filming of a 1979 Wonder Woman episode. Hired to execute a challenging stunt originally meant for Jeannie Epper, Lynda Carter’s regular stunt double, O’Neil set a women’s high-fall record of 127 feet (39 m) from the 12-story Valley Hilton in Sherman Oaks, California.
Her petite stature, at just 5 feet 2 inches and 97 pounds (44 kg), allowed her to endure significant impact forces. Demonstrating her daring spirit, she later broke her record with a staggering 180-foot (55 m) fall from a helicopter.
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Land Speed Record Achievement
In a historic feat on December 6, 1976, at the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon, Kitty O’Neil established the land speed record for female drivers. Behind the wheel of the cutting-edge “SMI Motivator,” a three-wheeled hydrogen peroxide rocket car crafted by engineer Bill Fredrick, she pushed the boundaries of speed and technology.
The car, valued at $350,000 (equivalent to $1.7 million in 2021), propelled her to an astounding average speed of 512.710 mph (825.127 km/h), reaching a staggering top speed of 621 miles per hour (999 km/h).
Remarkably, O’Neil’s accomplishment utilized only 60% of the car’s available thrust. She estimated that given full power, she could have surpassed the extraordinary speed of 700 miles per hour (1,100 km/h). This groundbreaking achievement solidified her legacy as a trailblazer in the world of land-speed racing.
Engaging In Fiery Stunts
As a part of her daring stunt career, Kitty O’Neil fearlessly subjected herself to being set ablaze multiple times. Notably, she made history by becoming the first woman to execute a cannon car roll in the 1977 film “September 30, 1955.”
The car roll, a spectacular yet perilous stunt, involves an explosive charge propelling a vehicle into multiple flips. In a 1979 interview with The Washington Post, O’Neil revealed the intricate process behind such a dangerous performance. Clad in a “Nomax” fire suit, equipped with a three-minute tube of oxygen, coated in glue, and then ignited with a torch, O’Neil mesmerized audiences with her fiery feats. After the stunt, swift action was essential to extinguish the flames before they could breach the protective suit.
In a remarkable display of her skills, O’Neil set a record in 1977 by accomplishing the longest and highest fall ever attempted by a woman while engulfed in flames. This incredible feat involved a heart-stopping 112-foot drop while wearing a fully ablaze fire-suit.
Captured in images from a 90-minute special on stunts titled “Superstunt” in Los Angeles (1977), Kitty O’Neil’s audacious stunts included crashing her van into a parked car, triggering a fiery explosion that engulfed the van (upper photo). In the lower photo, O’Neil bravely emerged from the van while still engulfed in flames, showcasing her unparalleled courage and expertise in the world of stunt performance.
Conquering Adversities
Despite the numerous challenges Neil confronted from childhood onward, her determination never wavered, propelling her to remarkable achievements. In 1976, she earned the prestigious title of the “fastest woman alive” by surpassing existing records for rocket-powered car drivers.
Additionally, she set a groundbreaking record by performing a 127-foot fall as a stunt double in an episode of the Wonder Woman series.
Her tale of resilience and triumph serves as a beacon of inspiration for countless individuals. In 1979, her life story was immortalized in the biopic Silent Victory: The Kitty O’Neil Story, further cementing her legacy as a symbol of unwavering determination and achievement.
Celebrating The 77th Anniversary Of Kitty O’Neil’s Birth
In honor of the 77th anniversary of Kitty O’Neil’s birth, Google paid tribute to the late American stuntwoman and actress, who overcame her deafness to become a Hollywood legend. The Google Doodle featured her wearing a vibrant yellow jumpsuit, capturing her fearless spirit.
Despite her hearing impairment since childhood, O’Neil rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s most renowned stunt drivers. She held the all-time women’s land speed record until 2019, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Google commemorated her remarkable legacy on her 77th birthday, highlighting her achievements and resilience through the vibrant doodle.
Passing Away
In 1982, Kitty O’Neil made the decision to step away from the realm of stunt and speed work, deeply affected by a tragic incident that claimed the lives of her fellow stunt performers during a performance.
She relocated to Minneapolis alongside her partner, Michaelson, and later found a home in Eureka, South Dakota, with Raymond Wald. O’Neil’s career was a tapestry of remarkable achievements, boasting an impressive tally of 22 land and water speed records that firmly established her as a pioneering figure in her field.
Regrettably, on November 2, 2018, at the age of 72, O’Neil passed away due to pneumonia in Eureka, South Dakota. Her departure marked the end of a life characterized by daring accomplishments and unmatched courage.
The following year, in 2019, she was posthumously remembered and honored during the In Memoriam segment at the Oscars, ensuring her legacy would endure in the hearts of countless admirers.
Estimated Net Worth
Kitty O’Neil’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $5 million, amassed through her successful career as a stuntwoman and race car driver. Her earnings were not only derived from her daring pursuits but also from lucrative endorsements and sponsorships.
Kitty O’Neil was estimated to earn an annual income of approximately $500,000. Her earnings stemmed from various sources, including stunt work, endorsements, and race car driving. Additionally, she garnered income through her appearances in television shows and films, showcasing her versatile talents in the entertainment industry.
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Kitty O’Neil’s Significance In The Deaf Community
Kitty O’Neil’s groundbreaking achievement of breaking the women’s land speed record in 1976, driving the three-wheeled rocket car SMI Motivator, is profoundly significant for the deaf community.
Her remarkable feat, with speeds averaging over 500 mph and peaking at 618 mph, shattered stereotypes and proved that her deafness was not a barrier to her abilities.
In fact, Kitty asserted that her deafness enhanced her focus, showcasing the extraordinary capabilities of individuals with hearing impairments and inspiring countless others.
Some Fascinating Tidbits about Kitty O’Neil
In 1976, Kitty O’Neil was entrusted with driving a rocket-powered three-wheeler on the Alvord desert track in southeastern Oregon. Her remarkable feat saw the car zooming at a staggering 618 miles per hour.
Even more impressive was her average speed, clocking in at 512.7 miles per hour for the round trip. This achievement surpassed the previous women’s land speed record by a whopping 200 mph, showcasing her extraordinary skills and setting a remarkable new standard in the world of speed racing.
Conclusion
Kitty O’Neil was a legendary stuntwoman and race car driver who broke records and pushed boundaries. She was an inspiration to many and her legacy lives on. She was an expert in stunts, martial arts, and skiing and earned a fortune from her career. Kitty O’Neil was a true pioneer in the industry and her courage and bravery will never be forgotten.
Graff, who was born after Kitty O’Neil retired from stunt performance, expressed, “Kitty O’Neil was undeniably extraordinary! Her unwavering dedication and unparalleled focus turned her passion into a force to be reckoned with, almost like she possessed superhuman abilities. She relentlessly pushed her boundaries, not just for her own sake but as an inspiration, encouraging others to shatter their own barriers.”
