Oscar celebrates Governors Award recipients

Oscar-winning producer Al Ruddy ("The Godfather") presents the Oscar to Honorary Award recipient Hal Needham during the 2012 Governors Awards in Hollywood, Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Ruddy described Needham as "one of the good guys" and "a gift to any producer." Ruddy told a story about making 1982's "Megaforce," which Needham directed. The stuntman helped design a rocket for the film's action sequences, and when he brought it to the Goldwyn lot to demonstrate it, he accidentally launched it into a new soundstage and burnt the whole thing down. Later, while filming another stunt, Needham crashed a motorcycle and got a concussion, but he was back on set shooting the next morning.

Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/AMPAS