Google Doodle features Corpus Christi native, stuntwoman Kitty O'Neil

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·2 min read
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Friday's Google Doodle celebrated Corpus Christi stuntwoman and racer Kitty O'Neil, also known as "the fastest woman in the world."

O'Neil was born March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi and died Nov. 2, 2018, at 72.

As an infant, she contracted smallpox and became deaf. But that didn't stop her from becoming a top stunt performer.

In 1979, O'Neil told the Washington Post she was still normal regardless of her deafness.

Kitty O’Neil leaps from a hotel balcony in a stunt for the “Wonder Woman” television series in 1979.
Kitty O’Neil leaps from a hotel balcony in a stunt for the “Wonder Woman” television series in 1979.

"The way I look at it, being handicapped is not a defect," O'Neil said. "People say I can't do anything. I say to people I can do anything I want."

She earned her title as the fastest woman in the world by getting behind the wheel of a blue, rocket-propelled 38-foot car on a dry lake bed in southeast Oregon in 1976 and accelerating to 512 miles per hour.

Two years later, O'Neil was donning Wonder Woman's outfit and filling in for Lynda Carter during action scenes on the 1970s TV series. She once jumped off a 127-foot hotel for the popular show.

O'Neil's stunt career inspired a Kitty O'Neil action figure, made by Mattel.

Stuntwoman Kitty O'Neil holds her action figure made by Mattel.
Stuntwoman Kitty O'Neil holds her action figure made by Mattel.

Other TV shows and films O'Neil stunted in include "The Bionic Woman," "Damien: Omen II," "The Blues Brothers" and "Smokey and the Bandit II."

A TV movie, "Silent Victory: The Kitty O'Neil Story," premiered in 1979 with actress Stockard Channing portraying the stuntwoman.

When O'Neil passed in 2018, Carter tweeted a heartfelt message to her.

"Kitty O’Neil was a beautiful, amazing dear friend," Carter wrote. "She was an absolute daredevil who paved the way for many future stunt athletes. I love you and will miss you. Thank you for the memories. Rest In Peace. Xx."

In 2019, O'Neil was featured in the Oscars' In Memoriam segment.

The Google Doodle was illustrated by Washington, D.C.-based deaf artist Meeya Tjiang.

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Google Doodle features Corpus Christi native, stuntwoman Kitty O'Neil