Needham's first break was as the stunt double for actor Richard Boone on the popular TV western "Have Gun, Will Travel". Needham trained under John Wayne's stunt double Chuck Roberson and quickly became one of the top stuntmen of the 1960s on such films as "How the West Was Won", "The Bridge at Remagen", "McLintock!", "The War Lord", and "Little Big Man". He doubled regularly for Clint Walker and Burt Reynolds. Needham moved into stunt coordinating and directing second unit action, while designing and introducing air bags and other innovative equipment to the industry. Needham at one time lived in Reynolds' guesthouse for the better part of 12 years.