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Hal Needham
1931 - 2013
Hal Needham
1931 - 2013
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1931
DIED
2013
Hal Needham Obituary
His business managers tell the Los Angeles Times that Needham died Friday in Los Angeles.
A former paratrooper, Needham appeared in thousands of TV episodes and hundreds of movies, performing and designing stunts and new equipment to execute them.
Needham jumped from planes, was dragged by horses and wrecked cars - breaking 56 bones in the process.
His best-known directing efforts involved 1970s Burt Reynolds action comedies, including "Smokey," "Cannonball Run" and "Stroker Ace." He also directed Arnold Schwarzenegger in "The Villain."
In a Twitter posting, Schwarzenegger calls Needham an icon.
Needham received an honorary Oscar last year.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
82 Entries
Trudy and Larry Scott
July 11, 2019
Though we never got to meet you we have always felt like you were a good friend. We watched you for quite a while before we realized how many movies you were in. We learned to recognize you in everything you were in. We were very much saddened when we found out you had passed away. We still look for you when we are watching movies and old shows. We have seen one movie several times called Devils Brigade but we have never been able to see you. We know you were in there somewhere. We send our condolences to your family and miss you very much.
Gary Ivey
January 17, 2019
Smart man
Denise
October 6, 2018
Hal set the bar. His films were classics. He made things a lot safer for those following in his footsteps. Time for rest now Hal. We'll all see you on the other side. Give 'em a good run!
How you can show support
Harry Simpson
October 25, 2014
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Hal, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Alan Maki
February 9, 2014
I loved Hal as a friend, and I miss him. We had some fun times on the golf course in Gunnison and enjoyed the occasional phone call until just a few weeks before his passing. Hal was a great inspiration to me, and I treasure the memories.
david timmerman
December 6, 2013
always wanted to meet him. His great work will live on forever!
Leia
November 11, 2013
To the Needham family my heartfelt condolences are with you in your time of grief. May your strength and happy memories of Mr.Needham get you thru each day. May you find comfort at Ecclesiastes 3:11 were our creator has put eternity in our heart,and that's why death effects us so hard.
Bill McIninch
November 1, 2013
What a nice man.
Deborah Amelon
November 1, 2013
It was an honor to know Hal Needham. Ellyn, I had so much fun talking to Hal and hearing his wonderful, legendary stories while on the set in Halifax. I am thinking of you and send my prayers and condolences.
October 31, 2013
Just a fan loved his movies Nashville tennessee
Becky Villegas
October 31, 2013
I remember when he and Burt went on Dinah Shore T V show. Hal brought a horse on set. They were regulars on her show. Loved it. He will be missed. They needed him to teach the angels with a broken wing how to jump from cloud to cloud so they wouldn't break the other wing.
b davis
October 31, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 31, 2013
One of the last true Gentlemen Cowboys is gone. But, Hal, what a fantastic body of work you leave behind!
Michael and I will always treasure our friendship with you and the lovely Ellyn. Don't worry. We'll watch out for her.
Rest in peace, my friend, and save a place for us on the other side.
Adios, via con Dios
Diane Dimond
Michael Schoen
Nyack, New York
Ed Ehrich
October 30, 2013
We know the day will come but death always leaves us with grief. Hal may be gone but he is not forgotten. His legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of his family and the smiles of millions of people who appreciated his work in the entertainment industry.
Say hi to Aunt Edith and my mom.
See you on the other side.
Ed Ehrich
Hal & Ellyn at Diane Dimon's book party
Danno Hanks
October 30, 2013
Thanks for all of the great, meals, drinks & stories that that you and Ellyn shared with me over the years. You will be missed........ Danno Hanks
October 30, 2013
Deepest sympathy for your loss. The Bible gives us comfort at 1 Cor. 15:26. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Moy ing
October 30, 2013
with deepest sympathy on the loss of your family member. may you be comforted by the scripture at job 33:25 when Hall will return the days of his youthful vigor.
October 29, 2013
Condolences to family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Lynn Ford
October 29, 2013
Watching old shows of Have Gun Will Travel see you in alot of the episodes Thanks for your years of giving us great entertainment.
Alan Maki
October 29, 2013
Thanks for your friendship, Hal. I loved the golf we played, the times you welcomed me into your home in Colorado, and your encouragement concerning my writing and my film. I will deeply miss talking with you. My very best to Ellyn and family. God bless.
October 28, 2013
To the Needham family. Sorry for your loss. May these words found at Php 4:6,7 be a source of comfort for the whole Needham family. It is never easy losing a loved one.
October 28, 2013
May Almighty God comfort you and your family...
DStallings
October 28, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Naz Mckinney
October 28, 2013
Enjoyed your movies. I wish your family comfort and peace during this time of deep sorrow.
October 28, 2013
Hal was truly an inspiration and his work motivated me to get into show business. His films will live on forever and continue to entertain generations to come. At this very moment somewhere up in Heaven, Hal is probably teaching God a few gags. RIP Mr. Needham. – Douglas Cooke
October 28, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear about your lost. May God comfort you all. 2 Cornthians 1:3,4
Betty Grogan
October 28, 2013
My Prayers for Hal My wonderful cousin who never forgot us Love you Betty Knowles Grogan
Happy Days among friends
Robert Blethrow
October 28, 2013
My prayers are to family and friends of Hal Needham. He and my dad, Harry, crossed paths in the 1950's through a mutual friend and paratrooper Bob Brooks. Here's a picture to remember them together and now as they are in Glory together again!
October 28, 2013
Hal,you were the best boss to work for. Rest in peace my friend.Mike Tucker Tehachapi,Ca
marjorie harris`
October 28, 2013
My family and I would like to express our condolences to the family and friends at this time, may you find peace and comfort in the days to come. Act 24:15
India
October 28, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss. During this difficult time turning to God and his word the Bible can be a great source of comfort. Act 24:15 give your love one the hope to live again. I offer my condolences during this trying time.
jeff Ramsey
October 27, 2013
We All ways Picked him up At The airport in Daytona Had a Great Time with him at the old Daytona Hilton Especially with the old lobby crew.... A Great Friend Phoned him Often Sad to see him go !!!!!!!!
joe giovanello
October 27, 2013
hal buddy i have got to know you on have gun will travel great stuntman and fighter.. thank you for serving my country and my family. to your love ones may god bless hal needham and his family. may the blessed mother guide into heaven...
Dwayne Bickham
October 27, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Harry Simpson
October 27, 2013
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Hal, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
October 27, 2013
My heartfelt condolences to the family and close friends of Hal Needham. He was definitely very good at his craft allow me a minute to take the time to thank him for entertaining us so well throughout the years. "May the Lord of peace himself give you peace constantly in evey way."--2 Thessalonians 3:16.
Earl Spann
October 27, 2013
Hate to hear this!! Great person knew him well...
Earl Spann
October 27, 2013
Hate to hear this!! Great person knew him well...
Frank Oshinski
October 27, 2013
Sorry we lost Hal Needham . My condolences to his Family
Jussta Fan
October 27, 2013
In my humble opinion, Hal was more than "the icon" he is accused of being. That word is too small for the contributions he made to both the big and small screens. His influence led to huge changes in the way things were done from script-to-screen, and from the ground-up in every aspect of production "On The Ground".
Thank you Hal, for choosing the profession you did. We have all benefited in a hundred thousand ways because of it !!!
Rest in Peace.
Colton Wells
October 27, 2013
Worked for Hal in the early-years, treated everyone as equal with respect.
RIP Buddy.
G. Jones
October 27, 2013
A very talented person has gone to rest. May the God who gives peace be with the entire family. Rom 15:33.
October 27, 2013
I offer my deepest condolences. Amidst the pain we are feeling, please find joy and comfort in drawing close to God, and He will supply you with strength and endurance. Romans 15:5
Mary Smith
October 27, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Needham family. Hall entertained many and will be missed. The God of comfort cares for you. 1 Pe. 5:7
JR
October 27, 2013
Hal was the best. Always in the background to the public but highly regarded by all who he worked with. One of the best actors and stuntmen of all time.
Dee Hernandez
October 27, 2013
I remember our meeting on the set of C C Rider .... what a wonderful man... and a fun movie to work on...
Dona Maul
October 26, 2013
Just viewed Mr. Needham in a classic Have Gun Will Travel tv episode. Obviously the beginning of a long and illustrious career. RIP
Walt Patnode
October 26, 2013
R.I.P. FROM AN OLD ARMY BUDDY, FT. BRAGG, NC 1953-54.
Dianne Cleaveland
October 26, 2013
Alright, Mr. Hal- try not to get the angels doing any of those 360 turns or laying down feathers from scratching off the clouds.
You brought excitement to the screen without it being blood and guts or Rated X. Many of these computer games racing around in fancy fast vehicles have their roots in some of the stunts you came up with.
Thanks for the creativity, and a lot of laughs. RIP and may the Lord give your friends and family peace.
Ralph Omeara
October 26, 2013
thanks for the memories
Cis Rundle
October 26, 2013
Thank you Hal .. For all the great fun.. Great laughs.. Great Friends.. See you down the road .. You will be missed ?
Pamela Needham-Donnan
October 26, 2013
It is with great sadness to hear of Hal's passing. He was my dad's cousin and my dad remembered the two of them playing together. What is so ironic is that he passed away on the same day that my dad passed away but my dad went to Heaven in 1996. They are now together in Heaven. My deepest sympathies and prayers to his family. He was dearly loved and will be missed greatly.
michelle plakas-kaiser
October 26, 2013
rip
Dwayne Bickham
October 26, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
irene rev.21:4,5
October 26, 2013
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Darlene Khan
October 26, 2013
Deepest sympathy to his family. What a gift he had...
October 26, 2013
DARN
October 26, 2013
thank you for the best movies ever!you made my imagination of what is possible come to life! aaron- sc
Kenny Bryant
October 26, 2013
Thank you Hal for all the memories, God bless you and your family, you are a hero to many, an inspiration to most, a friend to all.
October 26, 2013
YOU WILL BE MISSED MR NEEDHAM, YOU BRUNG THE WORLD SO MUCH JOY AND GREAT MOVIE CLASSICS, THANK YOU.
Pamela Matteson
October 26, 2013
May you rest in peace with all the other stunt men and actors who have gone before you.
Pamela Matteson
October 26, 2013
Great stunt man and actor. Glad they gave you an honorary Oscar last year but you deserved it sooner. Bless you and your family.
June Cook
October 26, 2013
I have been a fan and follower of Hal's since the early 70's, over 40 years, and am so very saddened to learn of his passing. I feel as if I have lost a friend even though I never had the privilege of meeting him. My deepest condolences to his family.
TRIAD / MC
David J Bhaltazhar Esq
October 26, 2013
We'll take it from here Hal.
R.I.P.
~xXx~
TRIAD / MC
David J Bhaltazhar Esq.
Internal Affairs
Department of Justice
Nisky Hill, PA
Carol
October 26, 2013
Oh my gosh, an icon for sure! I hope you are having a ball creating heavenly stunts! Sincere condolences to the family. He's just a thought away.
October 26, 2013
Sincere condolences to family.Ecc 9:5.
John Glowaniak
October 26, 2013
You were awesome. Thank you.
October 26, 2013
Hollywood lost a icon rip mr needham
K. Barnes
October 26, 2013
May every consolation and blessing be granted to the family in your deep sorrow. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
October 26, 2013
May the God of all comfort be with your family.
Sincerely,
Ben and Laura Gardiner
October 26, 2013
Sincerest Condolences and Best Wishes to Mr. Needham's family. We loved his work and he will be greatly missed.
james davis
October 26, 2013
mr.needam was a legend sorry about ur loss
Scott Chamberland
October 26, 2013
Rest in Peace
October 26, 2013
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Tom
October 26, 2013
My condolences for the loss of Hal Needham. Smokey and the Bandit is truly a classic. My prayers with your family.
otto pinnt
October 26, 2013
mr.needham was a great stuntman; my brother(also stuntman/died 10/11/13) always spoke of hal as his mentor(hero)HALS name will remain as the best in my heart;bless his family also;
M. Harmon
October 26, 2013
May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time in your lives. We all yearn for better conditions. It's refreshing to know that God's word speaks of a time when all sorrows will be gone and that mankind will live in beautiful surroundings with nothing to fear.-Isaiah 65:17,21-24.
Hart family
October 26, 2013
Our heartfelt condolences for your loss. May our Heavenly Father, the God of comfort and tender mercies be with you. With deep sympathies.
Rita Holifield
October 26, 2013
I remember when he came to Tuscaloosa, Al. To film Smokry and The Bandit. So sorry for your loss.
October 25, 2013
Thank you, Hal, for making it all come "true!" You now know that you can pray for US, as we wait for beauty unimaginable and constant spiritual comforts.
Fred
AF of M
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