Kitty O’Neil was an American stuntwoman and racer who gained fame in the 1970s for her record-breaking achievements in the world of motorsports and stunt work. She was born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Kitty O’Neil was deaf from birth due to a case of measles she contracted as an infant. Despite her hearing impairment, she excelled in sports as a child and later became a competitive diver. In the 1970s, she became interested in motorsports and began racing in various events, including drag racing, motocross, and speedboat racing. She also worked as a stuntwoman in Hollywood, performing dangerous stunts in movies and television shows.

One of Kitty O’Neil’s most notable achievements was setting a land-speed record for women in 1976 when she drove a rocket-powered vehicle called the “Smithsonian” at a speed of 512 miles per hour. She also performed a number of dangerous stunts in movies, including doubling for actress Lynda Carter in the television series “Wonder Woman.”

She died on November 2, 2018, of pneumonia in Eureka, South Dakota, at age 72

As a child, Kitty was an active and athletic girl. She enjoyed swimming and diving and was a competitive diver in her teenage years. She also learned to ride motorcycles and was an accomplished equestrian.

After graduating from high school, Kitty moved to California to attend a school for the deaf. While there, she met a stunt coordinator who encouraged her to pursue a career in stunt work. She began training in martial arts and acrobatics and eventually landed her first job as a stuntwoman on the television show “The Bionic Woman” in 1976.

In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Kitty also became interested in motorsports in the 1970s. She began racing in various events, including drag racing, motocross, and speedboat racing. Her natural talent and fearlessness led her to set several records in motorsports.

1. Stuntwoman: Kitty O’Neil began her career as a stuntwoman in the mid-1970s, working on television shows such as “The Bionic Woman” and “CHiPs.” She also performed stunts in movies such as “Airport ’77” and “Smokey and Bandit II.” One of her most famous stunts was doubling for actress Lynda Carter in the television series “Wonder Woman.”
2. Racer: In addition to her work as a stuntwoman, Kitty was also an accomplished racer. She competed in a variety of events, including drag racing, motocross, and speedboat racing. Her natural talent and fearlessness led her to set several records in motorsports, including a land-speed record for women in 1976 when she drove a rocket-powered vehicle called the “Smithsonian” at a speed of 512 miles per hour.
3. Stunt coordinator: Later in her career, Kitty became a stunt coordinator, working on movies such as “The Blues Brothers” and “The Cannonball Run.” She was the first woman to hold this position in Hollywood.
4. Advocate for the deaf: Throughout her career, Kitty was a strong advocate for the deaf community. She often spoke publicly about her experiences as a deaf person and worked to raise awareness and support for the deaf community.

Kitty O’Neil’s career was characterized by her fearlessness, determination, and willingness to take risks. Her achievements in the worlds of stunt work and motorsports broke barriers for women and people with disabilities and continue to inspire others today.

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1. Family: Kitty was the daughter of parents who were both deaf, and she was also born deaf due to a case of measles she contracted as an infant. She had two sisters.
2. Marriage and children: Kitty was married and divorced twice, and she did not have any children.
3. Health: In addition to her deafness, Kitty also suffered from spinal meningitis as a child, which left her partially paralyzed for a time. Later in life, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent chemotherapy.
4. Hobbies: Outside of her work as a stuntwoman and racer, Kitty enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including scuba diving, skydiving, and hunting.

Despite the challenges she faced in her personal life, Kitty O’Neil remained a determined and inspiring figure throughout her career. Her accomplishments as a stuntwoman and racer broke barriers and inspired many, and her advocacy for the deaf community helped to raise awareness and support for those with disabilities.

Networth of Kitty O Neil