Hal Needham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hal Needham
Needham in 2011
Born	Hal Brett Needham (1931-03-06)March 6, 1931 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	October 25, 2013(2013-10-25) (aged 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Stuntman film director actor writer NASCAR team owner
Years active	1956–1996
Spouse(s)	Arlene R. Wheeler ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1977)​ Dani Crayne ​ ​ (m. 1981; div. 1996)​ Ellyn Wynne Williams ​ (m. 1996)​

Hal Brett Needham (born March 6, 1931 – died October 25, 2013) was an amazing American stuntman, film director, actor, writer, and even a NASCAR team owner! He was famous for working a lot with actor Burt Reynolds. Together, they made many movies with fast cars, like Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Hooper (1978), The Cannonball Run (1981), and Stroker Ace (1983).

Later in his life, Hal Needham stopped doing stunts. He focused on a big project to break the land speed record. In 2001, he won a special Lifetime Achievement Award for his stunt work. In 2012, he received another important award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Oscars!

Early Life and Adventures

Hal Needham was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the youngest of three children. He grew up in Arkansas and Missouri. When he was older, he joined the United States Army. He was a paratrooper during the Korean War, which means he jumped out of airplanes!

After the army, he had some interesting jobs. He worked as a treetopper, which is someone who trims the tops of trees. He also modeled for cigarette ads. Soon, he started his exciting career in Hollywood as a movie stuntman.

Becoming a Stunt Legend

Hal Needham got his first big chance as a stunt double for actor Richard Boone. This was on a popular TV show called Have Gun, Will Travel. He learned a lot from John Wayne's stunt double, Chuck Roberson. Hal quickly became one of the best stuntmen in the 1960s. He worked on many famous films like How the West Was Won and Little Big Man. He often performed stunts for actors like Clint Walker and Burt Reynolds.

Hal Needham was very creative. He started coordinating stunts and directing action scenes. He also invented new safety equipment, like air bags, for the stunt industry. For about 12 years, he even lived in Burt Reynolds' guesthouse!

In 1971, Hal and two other stuntmen, Glenn Wilder and Ronnie Rondell, started a group called Stunts Unlimited.

Directing Big Movies

Hal Needham wrote a movie script called Smokey and the Bandit. His friend Burt Reynolds offered him the chance to direct it. The movie was a huge success! After that, they made many more popular films together, including Hooper, Smokey and the Bandit II, The Cannonball Run, and Stroker Ace. Hal also directed a BMX bike movie called Rad in 1986.

Hal Needham's Stunt Toy Set

In 1977, a toy company called Gabriel Toys made a special toy set. It was called the "Hal Needham Western Movie Stunt Set." It came with a cardboard old west saloon, lights, props, and a toy movie camera. The best part was a spring-launched Hal Needham action figure! You could make the figure crash through a balcony, land on a table, and break through a window. These toy sets were only made for a short time, so they are now very rare and valuable!

Beyond Movies: Speed and Racing

Hal Needham moved away from stunt work to focus on a big dream: breaking the World Land Speed Record. This project led to the Budweiser Rocket, a super-fast car driven by stuntman Stan Barrett. While they tried to break the sound barrier, their claims were debated.

In the 1980s, Hal and Burt Reynolds also owned a NASCAR racing team called Mach 1 Racing. Their car, the Skoal Bandit No. 33, raced in the Winston Cup Series with driver Harry Gant.

Awards and Recognition

Hal Needham received many honors for his amazing career. In 2001, he got a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Taurus World Stunt Awards. This award celebrates the best stunt performers. In 2012, he was given a special Governors Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is the group that presents the famous Oscar awards! The famous director Quentin Tarantino introduced him at the ceremony.

Hal Needham's friendship with Burt Reynolds even inspired characters in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Later Years

Hal Needham passed away on October 25, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. He was 82 years old and had recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Filmography as Actor

Hal Needham also appeared in many films as an actor, often in small roles.

Filmography as Director

Hal Needham directed many exciting movies and TV projects.

Images for kids

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  Needham in 2011

See also

In Spanish: Hal Needham para niños