Deaths 2022

Deaths 2021

Deaths 2020

Deaths 2019

Deaths 2018

Deaths 2017

Deaths 2016

Deaths 2015

Deaths 2014

Deaths 2013

Deaths 2012

Deaths 2011

Deaths 2010

Deaths 2009


Full list by date of death

Hal Needham

Director/stuntman

Born - 6 March 1931, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Died - 25 October 2013

Thin-faced American director, a legendary stuntman who performed daredevil stunts in over 100 films (and numerous TV series) between 1955 and 1978 before turning director, breaking more than 50 bones in the process. His friend Burt Reynolds persuaded Needham to try direction in Smokey and the Bandit (1977). Subsequently, he made Hooper (1978), The Villain/Cactus Jack (1979), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), The Cannonball Run (1981), Magaforce (1982), Stroker Ace (1983), Cannonball Run II (1984), Rad (1985), Body Slam (1986), the short Street Luge (1996) and the TV movie Hard Time: Hostage Hotel (1999), his last. He also played many minor film roles, including those in McLintock! (1963), The War Wagon (1967), The Undefeated (1969), One More Train to Rob (1971), Blazing Saddles (1974), and Jackson County Jail (1976). Actress Dani Crayne was the first of his two wives. Also the inventor of numerous gadgets to make stunts safer, he died from cancer.