Kitty O'Neil

For the 19th-century variety theatre dancer, see Kitty O'Neil (dancer).

Kitty O'Neil
O'Neil and the SMI Motivator, Oregon 1976
Born(1946-03-24)March 24, 1946
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
DiedNovember 2, 2018(2018-11-02) (aged 72)
Eureka, South Dakota, U.S.
Occupation(s)Stuntwoman, race car driver

Kitty Linn O'Neil ((1946-03-24)March 24, 1946 – (2018-11-02)November 2, 2018) was an American stuntwoman and auto-racer,[1][2][3][4] often called "the fastest woman in the world" for her various speed records.[5][6][7][8] Her women's absolute land speed record stood until 2019.

An illness in early childhood left her deaf, and more illnesses in early adulthood cut short a career in competitive diving.[9] O'Neil subsequently moved into car racing and became a pioneering woman in the stunt industry in Hollywood.[9] She appeared in numerous television and film projects, lent her likeness to an action figure,[9] was honored at the 91st Academy Awards,[10] and in March 2023 with a Doodle in the Google search.[11]

  1. ^ "1976: Deaf stuntwoman Kitty O'Neil sets women's land-speed record". History. November 13, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  2. ^ Sandomir, Richard (November 6, 2018). "Kitty O'Neil, Stuntwoman and Speed Racer, Is Dead at 72". New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  3. ^ Smith, Harrison (November 4, 2018). "Kitty O'Neil, deaf daredevil who became 'world's fastest woman,' dies at 72". Washington Post. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  4. ^ Barnes, Mike (November 5, 2018). "Kitty O'Neil, Famed Hollywood Stuntwoman and Daredevil, Dies at 72". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  5. ^ Steve Wennerstrom Collection (1836 - 2014) (PDF). The University of Texas at Austin.
  6. ^ Castro, Bernardo. "Kitty O'Neil: Google presta homenagem à mulher mais rápida do mundo". Autopapo UOL. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  7. ^ "Quem foi Kitty O'Neill, que superou surdez para se tornar dublê de sucesso e recordista mundial de velocidade". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  8. ^ Morais, Esmael (March 24, 2023). "Google homenageia Kitty O'Neil com Doodle pelo seu 77º aniversário; saiba mais sobre a mulher mais rápida do mundo". Blog do Esmael (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Hayward, Anthony (November 12, 2018). "Kitty O'Neil obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  10. ^ Stunts, Women In (November 2, 2018). "Kitty O'Neil". Women In Stunts. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  11. ^ Castro, Bernardo. "Kitty O'Neil: Google presta homenagem à mulher mais rápida do mundo". Autopapo UOL (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 24, 2023.