Hal Needham
ActingAbout Hal Needham
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. Description above from the Wikipedia article Hal Needham, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Hal Needham reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 37 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Action
The majority of Hal Needham's filmography leans towards the Action genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 30% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Hal Needham remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Charlie Sheen's Stunts Spectacular, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Hal Needham Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Hal Needham's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Hal Needham.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | A RAD Documentary | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Bandit | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Jackie Chan - From Stuntman to Superstar | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | Charlie Sheen's Stunts Spectacular | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | The World's Greatest Stunts: A Tribute to Hollywood Stuntmen | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | Playboy Video Playmate Calendar 1988 | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | Cannonball Run II | Porsche 928 Driver with Cowboy Hat (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1983 | Stroker Ace | Man Punching Stroker Into Ladies Room | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | MegaForce | Technician (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Cannonball Run | Ambulance EMT (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Stunts Unlimited | H.N. (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1979 | Death Car on the Freeway | Mr. Blanchard | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | The Greatest Stuntman Alive | Himself | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | Jackson County Jail | Chief of Fallsburg Police | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Take a Hard Ride | Garmes (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings | Trooper Carson | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | French Connection II | Doyle Kidnapper (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles | Outlaw (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | McQ | Santiago Henchman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Call to Danger | Connors | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Bounty Man | Pike | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Culpepper Cattle Co. | Burgess | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Sometimes a Great Notion | Man at Racetrack | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | One More Train to Rob | Bert Gant | Flop | Similar → |
| N/A | Loaded up and Trucking: The Making of Smokey and the Bandit | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Undefeated | Yankee Corporal at River Crossing (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Devil's Brigade | The Sergeant | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | The War Wagon | Hite | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Great Race | Saloon Brawler (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | In Harm's Way | Airman in the Blue Lagoon (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | Advance to the Rear | Rebel Soldier (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | 4 for Texas | Thomas Worker (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | McLintock! | Carter (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Shootout at Big Sag | Saloon Brawler (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1960 | Guns of the Timberland | Townsman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | Paratroop Command | German (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Fiend Who Walked the West | Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Hal Needham - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Hal Needham?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Hal Needham is "Charlie Sheen's Stunts Spectacular" with a rating of 9.5/10.
How many movies has Hal Needham acted in?
Hal Needham has been featured in at least 37 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Hal Needham?
Other notable films include "A RAD Documentary", "The Bandit", and "Blazing Saddles".