Motion Picture Director, Stuntman. He will be best remembered for his directing of the Burt Reynolds' vehicles "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977), "Hooper" (1978) and "Cannonball Run" (1981). He dropped out of school after the 8th grade and worked as a tree trimmer, prior to his service as a paratrooper with the United States Army during the Korean War. He landed a job as a billboard model for Viceroy Cigarettes and went from there onto Hollywood. He became one of the busiest stuntmen within the industry, in addition to finding minor acting parts on numerous TV series. Beginning with the series "Have Gun- Will Travel", as Richard Boone's stunt double, Needham worked in a wide range of TV programs and films. Among the many motion pictures he contributed to include the John Wayne film "The Undefeated" (1969). During the 1970s, he turned to directing initially as a second unit director on the picture "White Lightning" (1973). The film marked his lengthy association with Burt Reynolds. From 1981-1989, he entered 250 races as an owner in the NASCAR premiere series, the Sprint Cup; winning nine races from 1982-1985 with Harry Gant. Stan Barrett, Morgan Shepherd and Rick Mast also drove cars under his ownership.
Motion Picture Director, Stuntman. He will be best remembered for his directing of the Burt Reynolds' vehicles "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977), "Hooper" (1978) and "Cannonball Run" (1981). He dropped out of school after the 8th grade and worked as a tree trimmer, prior to his service as a paratrooper with the United States Army during the Korean War. He landed a job as a billboard model for Viceroy Cigarettes and went from there onto Hollywood. He became one of the busiest stuntmen within the industry, in addition to finding minor acting parts on numerous TV series. Beginning with the series "Have Gun- Will Travel", as Richard Boone's stunt double, Needham worked in a wide range of TV programs and films. Among the many motion pictures he contributed to include the John Wayne film "The Undefeated" (1969). During the 1970s, he turned to directing initially as a second unit director on the picture "White Lightning" (1973). The film marked his lengthy association with Burt Reynolds. From 1981-1989, he entered 250 races as an owner in the NASCAR premiere series, the Sprint Cup; winning nine races from 1982-1985 with Harry Gant. Stan Barrett, Morgan Shepherd and Rick Mast also drove cars under his ownership.
Bio by: C.S.
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