Actor
Hal Needham
March 6, 1931 · Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Hal Brett Needham (March 6, 1931 – October 25, 2013) was an American stuntman, film director, actor and writer. 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.
Notable work
7.2Blazing Saddles (1974)
as Outlaw (uncredited)
7Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Director
6.1The Cannonball Run (1981)
as Ambulance EMT (uncredited) and Director
6.8French Connection II (1975)
as Doyle Kidnapper (uncredited)
7.1The Great Race (1965)
as Saloon Brawler (uncredited)
5.4Cannonball Run II (1984)
as Porsche 928 Driver with Cowboy Hat (uncredited) and Director
5.5Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
Director
Often works with
Burt Reynolds
6 titles together
Smokey and the Bandit, The Cannonball Run, Cannonball Run II
John Wayne
5 titles together
McLintock!, The War Wagon, In Harm's Way
Dom DeLuise
4 titles together
Blazing Saddles, The Cannonball Run, Cannonball Run II
Bruce Cabot
4 titles together
McLintock!, The War Wagon, In Harm's Way
David Huddleston
3 titles together
Blazing Saddles, Smokey and the Bandit II, McQ
George Furth
3 titles together
Blazing Saddles, The Cannonball Run, Hooper
Full filmography · 61
Hard Time: Hostage Hotel
Director
1999
Bandit: Bandit's Silver Angel
Director
1994
Bandit: Beauty and the Bandit
Director
1994
Bandit: Bandit, Bandit
Director
1994
Bandit: Bandit Goes Country
Director
1994
Body Slam
Director
19865.1
Rad
Director
19866.5
Cannonball Run II
as Porsche 928 Driver with Cowboy Hat (uncredited) and Director
19845.4
Stroker Ace
as Man Punching Stroker Into Ladies Room and Director
19834.8
MegaForce
as Technician (uncredited) and Director
19824
The Cannonball Run
as Ambulance EMT (uncredited) and Director
19816.1
Smokey and the Bandit II
Director
19805.5