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1-24 of 24
- John Ronane was born on 11 December 1933 in Kensington, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Most High (2012), Department S (1969) and The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970). He was married to Carole Bullock. He died on 15 May 2019 in Eureka, Illinois, USA.
- Her mother, Patsy Linn Compton, was a Cherokee Native American and her father, John R. O'Neil, an oil wildcatter, was Irish. They were married on October 20, 1940 in Wharton, Texas, USA. Kitty was born on March 24, 1946 in Nueces, Texas, USA. Shortly after her birth her father died in an airplane accident.
Kitty developed normally as an infant until she was five months old. She lost her hearing when she was struck by measles, mumps, and smallpox all at the same time. Patsy decided that Kitty should be home schooled, preparing for that task by taking education courses at The University of Texas. Her mother's goal was realized in terms of Kitty learning to speak normally and become proficient at speech (lip) reading. Kittys brother, John O'Neil III, was born on May 1, 1947.
Patsy attended university classes while raising two small children. By the age of eight Kitty was able to be enrolled in a regular public school third grade. Her mother taught many deaf children and was a founder of The Listening Eyes School for the Deaf in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA. Kitty learned to play the cello by sensing subtle changes in the frequency of the vibrations.
At the age of twelve Kitty joined a swim team. That led to developing an interest in diving. As a substitute for a diver who failed to show up, Kitty, who had never previously dived, won the first place medal. Six months later she had won the AAU Southwest District Junior meet. In 1962 Kitty's family moved to Anaheim, California, USA so she could train as a diver with nationally known diving coach, Sammy Lee. She spent four hours a day in the water. American Youth Magazine named her Youth Athlete of the Month. She won the 10 meter diving event at the 1964 AAU Nationals and was on her way to the qualifying heats for the Olympic Games.
Her diving career ended abruptly when she broke her wrist while diving, followed by a bout with spinal meningitis. For a time there was concern that she might lose the use of her legs, but Kitty persevered in getting back on her feet. Loving speed and competition Kitty moved to high speed water skiing. In 1970 she set the official women's water ski speed record, 104.85 miles per hour.
It seemed a natural progression to automobile racing and cross country motorcycle racing. It was an accident at a motorcycle race where she was aided by a fellow racer, Duffy Hambleton, that their relationship began. He accompanied her to the hospital and was unexpectedly put in the position of making medical decisions that enabled Kitty's two severed fingers to be reattached in a curved position during four hours of surgery. The therapy that followed enabled full left hand function, so complete that Kitty was again able to play the piano.
Duffy and Kitty lived on a ten acre citrus farm. He worked with her daily with voice modulation. Kitty would touch his throat and feel his normal vocal vibrations and then match them using her own voice. The constant goal was to reduce the high pitch that typifies deaf speech. It was Duffy that introduced Kitty to the world of doing movie stunts. Stunts Unlimited, an organization of Hollywood's top stunt performers, accepted Kitty O'Neil into membership in 1976. She was the first woman to be so honored.
In December 1976 Kitty shattered the world land speed record for women. At a dry lake bed (Alford Lake) in southeast Oregon, USA she averaged 512.70 miles per hour, bettering the old mark by over 200 miles per hour. She had driven a 48,000 horsepower rocket-powered vehicle named The Motivator designed by Ky MIchaelson, Rocketman Enterprises, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
For a 1977 NBC Special about the world's best stunt men and women Kitty tipped over a burning van, ran with her clothes on fire, and then fell seven stories over the parapet of a parking garage. The filming of the sheets of fire going over the van required Kitty to remain in the van as firemen doused the flames. The stunt crew then pulled off the windshield to extricate Kitty who was still strapped in the seat of the overturned van. In 1979 her accomplishments were the basis for a Hollywood movie, "Silent Victory: The Kitty O'Neil Story," starring Stockard Channing as Kitty. Duffy Hambleton was an executive producer and many of the stunts were done by the real Kitty O'Neil.
Kitty retired in 1986, moved from Elk River, Minnesota, USA in 1993 to Eureka, South Dakota, USA where she lives with her long time companion, Raymond Waid. When asked why she retired she said it was not because of fear, but because two friends had been killed while performing stunts. Why Eureka? Kitty loves the peace she feels at her home overlooking Lake Eureka. Kitty has devoted much of her time to supporting the American Cancer Society's efforts in the battle against breast cancer. Not a victim of the disease herself, Kitty volunteers her time and image to promote the cause and encourages women to be screened and receive mammograms every year after the age of forty. - Mary Flynn was born on 11 December 1915 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Murder Tomorrow (1938), Menace (1934) and Flame in the Heather (1936). She was married to Donovan Pedelty. She died on 24 January 2004 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA.
- Actress
- Writer
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Irene Castle and her husband Vernon Castle (born Vernon Blyth) were the best known ballroom dancers of the early 20th C. Beginning about 1914 they operated several clubs and studios in the NYC area, toured the country dancing, and were able to charge as much as a thousand dollars an hour for lessons. They appeared in an Irving Berlin musical ("Watch Your Step") and in the film "The Whirl Of Life" as themselves. Irene appeared in a number of films alone, notably the WWI drama "Patria". Vernon (as a military flying instructor) was killed in an airplane accident shortly before the war's end. Irene later married Robert Treman, an Ithaca NY businessman who stole her money and lost it on the stock market. In 1923 she married Frederic McLaughlin, a man sixteen years older than her. She married him for his money, divorcing him when he proved to be possessive and physically violent. Her fourth and final husband was George Enzinger an advertising executive from Chicago. She spent the later years of her life championing animal rights.- Russ Thompson was born on 20 March 1921 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was an actor, known for The Unforeseen (1958), Klondike (1960) and Perry Mason (1957). He died on 23 October 2014 in Eureka, California, USA.
- Ari Squire was born on 10 November 1968 in Illinois, USA. He died on 2 March 2008 in Eureka, Missouri, USA.
- Sheila McKay was born on 5 November 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She was an actress, known for Hot Car Girl (1958) and Dinah! (1974). She was married to Vic Tayback and Peter B. Monks. She died on 21 November 2001 in Eureka, California, USA.
- Make-Up Department
Flo Avery was born on 10 June 1919 in Huntington Park, California, USA. Flo is known for Outbreak (1995). Flo was married to Bill Avery. Flo died on 17 January 2005 in Eureka, California, USA.- Producer
- Editor
- Production Manager
Carl Pingitore was born on 11 January 1924 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and editor, known for Dirty Harry (1971), Police Story (1973) and Play Misty for Me (1971). He was married to Karen. He died on 23 February 2008 in Eureka, California, USA.- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Donovan Pedelty was born on 26 July 1903 in Wallsend-on-Tyne, Tyneside, England, UK. He was a writer and director, known for Landslide (1937), Irish and Proud of It (1938) and The Luck of the Irish (1936). He was married to Mary Flynn. He died on 12 March 1989 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA.- Actress
- Costume Designer
Irene Gilbert was born on 25 August 1934 in Brandenburg, Germany. She was an actress and costume designer, known for Barnaby Jones (1973), Emergency! (1972) and Simon & Simon (1981). She was married to Ronald Packenham Law. She died on 21 May 2011 in Eureka, California, USA.- Make-Up Department
Florence Avery was born on 10 June 1919 in Huntington Park, California, USA. Florence is known for Frances (1982). Florence was married to William Avery. Florence died on 17 January 2005 in Eureka, California, USA.- Actress
Tina Blagoi was born on 31 January 1900 in Moscow, Russia. She was an actress. She was married to George Blagoi. She died on 21 March 1986 in Eureka, California, USA.- Michael Dimitri was born on 28 January 1952 in Selma, Alabama, USA. He was an actor, known for Incognito (1997) and London's Burning (1988). He was married to Eithne Ryan. He died on 12 October 2022 in Eureka Springs. Arkansas, USA.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Gus Robinson was born on 25 June 1903 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Tomorrow at Seven (1933). He was married to Marjorie. He died on 6 February 1981 in Eureka, California, USA.- Etta Lee was born on 12 September 1906 in Maui, Hawaii, USA. She was an actress, known for Manchu Love (1929), Camille (1926) and Recompense (1925). She was married to Frank Brown. She died on 27 October 1956 in Eureka, California, USA.
- George Gatto was born on 25 August 1930 in Brockway, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Edith Eugenia Samples. He died on 9 February 2012 in Eureka, California, USA.
- John 'Doc' Ball was born on 25 January 1907 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He died on 4 December 2001 in Eureka, California, USA.
- Guy Fowler was born on 4 March 1893 in Kentucky, USA. He was a writer, known for Lilac Time (1928). He died on 20 October 1966 in Eureka, California, USA.
- Art Department
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Kamela Portuges is a co-founder of Images In Motion Inc., www.imagesmedia.com, a company that specializes in puppetry for TV and film. She is best known for her ability "create life" in objects of art.
Kamela is a true Renaissance woman, playing across numerous art mediums; sculpture, to video, to puppetry, to writing, to painting, to metalwork and more. Kamela's artistry extends to 3D printing, where she designs and models in Maya and 3D prints using the Zprinter series (gypsum based, full color, high resolution). She is a gifted sculptor, specializing in the human face. Her work can be seen on the marionettes for the cult classic Being John Malkovich (1999)_ and other film and TV projects.
Kamela completed her MA at 20, and received her third regional Emmy (writer, puppeteer, production designer) just after she turned 30. Her work has been a key part of videos that have earned awards from the National Ad Council, the Telly Awards, KidsFirst, DOVE, a UNIMA Citation of Excellence and more.
Her commercial clients for sculpting include Disney, Mattel, Electronic Arts, Cartoon Network, etc.. Animation clients include Livescribe and LeapFrog Toys. 3D printing clients include The Academy of Science (SF), Event Network, PaleoMill, The Black Hills Institute, ILM and other well-known animation studios (confidential).
Kamela has a B.S. in Business and Marketing, and a M.A. in Theater and Marketing.- Actor
- Composer
Mike Howe was an actor and composer, known for Metal Church: Badlands (1989), Metal Church: Gods of Second Chance (1993) and Metal Church: Date with Poverty (1991). He died on 26 July 2021 in Eureka, California, USA.- Hal Burney was born in 1900. He was an actor, known for A Man's Land (1932). He died on 11 November 1933 in Eureka, California, USA.
- Sound Department
- Camera and Electrical Department
John Olson was born on 25 September 1956 in La Grange, Illinois, USA. John is known for Tricky Bidness (2013). John died on 18 August 2021 in Eureka, California, USA.- Wes Santee was born on 25 March 1932 in Ashland, Kansas, USA. He was married to Danna Denning. He died on 14 November 2010 in Eureka, Kansas, USA.