Origins & Early Life

Hal Brett Needham (March 6, 1931 – October 25, 2013) was an American stuntman, film director, actor, writer, and NASCAR team owner. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with actor Burt Reynolds, usually in films involving fast cars, such as Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Hooper (1978), The Cannonball Run (1981) and Stroker Ace (1983). In his later years, Needham moved out of stunt work, and focused his energy on the world land speed record project. In 2001, Needham received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Taurus World Stunt Awards, and in 2012, he was awarded a Governors Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Needham was born in Memphis, Tennessee, a son of Edith May (née Robinson) and Howard Needham. He was the youngest of three children. Raised in Arkansas and Missouri, Needham served in the United States Army as a paratrooper during the Korean War, worked as a treetopper (an arborist who performs tree topping services), and was a billboard model for Viceroy Cigarettes while beginning a career in Hollywood as a motion picture stuntman. Needham's first break was as the stunt double for actor Richard Boone on the popular...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering Finnish painter, celebrated for national romanticism and the Kalevala.
• Albert A. Michelson — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Bernadette Lafont — Contemporary (Died in 2013) (2013): Iconic French actress, celebrated for her role in the New Wave movement.
• Bobby Bland — Contemporary (Died in 2013) (2013): Pioneering blues and soul artist known for tempestuous arias of love and betrayal.
• Boris Berezovsky (businessman) — Contemporary (Died in 2013) (2013): Russian oligarch and businessman known for accumulating vast wealth through privatization.
• Adolph Caesar — Shared historical date (03-06 · Died) (1986): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Alan Greenspan — Shared historical date (03-06 · Born) (1926): Influential American economist, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
• Abebe Bikila — Shared historical date (10-25 · Died) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• Anne Tyler — Shared historical date (10-25 · Born) (1941): Acclaimed American novelist celebrated for detailed characters and domestic realism.
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• March 6 (03-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 6
• 2013 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2013
• October 25 (10-25) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 25