William Fitzgerald
AKA Nathan Boya
July 28, 1924 – August 8, 2022
Nathan Boya, whose real name was William Fitzgerald, left an indelible mark on history as the first African American to brave the mighty Niagara Falls. Although there is limited information available about Fitzgerald, he claimed to be self-employed, while some sources suggested he may have worked for IBM.
On the daring day of July 15, 1961, Fitzgerald embarked on his perilous journey over the Horseshoe Falls inside a specially designed metal ball he referred to as the “Plunge-O-Sphere.” However, it’s crucial to note that performing stunts at the Falls required official permission following the tragic death of William Hill, Jr. in 1951. Fitzgerald did not obtain the necessary permit for his audacious stunt, and as a consequence, he faced arrest and fines after successfully completing it.
Following his headline-grabbing plunge, Fitzgerald largely stayed out of the public eye until 1985, when he attended Karel Soucek’s funeral. He re-emerged in 1988, protesting against discriminatory actions targeting a scientist he referred to as “Dr. X.”
Notably, Nathan Boya made notable appearances on television game shows, revealing his remarkable feat. On August 30, 1961, he participated as a contestant on “I’ve Got a Secret.” His secret, of course, was “I went over Niagara Falls in a 6-foot ball.” During the show, he faced questioning from Bill Cullen and Betsy Palmer. Two panelists, Henry Morgan and Bess Meyerson, recognized him from his daring stunt. Additionally, he appeared as a contestant on “To Tell The Truth” in an episode that aired on January 15, 1962. Three of the four celebrity panelists (Tom Poston, Dina Merrill, and Johnny Carson) successfully identified him, while Betty White did not.
In a 2012 interview for a National Geographic television special focused on Niagara Falls daredevils, Fitzgerald unveiled the long-kept reason behind his perilous stunt. He explained that he had broken off his engagement to a woman and felt that he had wronged her. To atone for his perceived transgression, he embarked on the dangerous feat at Niagara Falls, which had initially been chosen as their honeymoon destination.
Later in life, Fitzgerald relocated to Bangkok, Thailand, where he pursued his passion for writing, producing two novels. Remarkably, in 2018, at the age of 93, he established a yearly scholarship in honor of his parents, Augustus and Sarah FitzGerald, for Kingston High School in Kingston, New York.
Tragically, William Fitzgerald passed away on August 8, 2022, at the remarkable age of 98, leaving behind a legacy of courage and audacity etched into the annals of history.