Ronnie Rondell Jr., the illustrious Hollywood stuntman best known for his perilous stunt depicting a man set ablaze for the cover of Pink Floyd's 1975 album "Wish You Were Here," has sadly passed away at 88. His family confirmed that he died on August 12 at a care home in Missouri, according to an online obituary.
Rondell's career, which emphasized his incredible skills in action sequences, spanned more than 50 years, encompassing a multitude of films and television series, notably "Lethal Weapon," "Thelma and Louise," and "Star Trek: First Contact." He leaves behind his wife Mary and their son Ronald. Born in California in 1937, Rondell kicked off his acting journey as a teenager with a role in the 1950 film "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair."
He transitioned to stunts with his initial work as a stuntman for the television series "Soldiers of Fortune," from 1955 to 1957. Throughout the '60s to the '90s, Rondell contributed his talents to numerous popular US TV shows like "Charlie's Angels," "Dynasty," and "Baywatch," as well as classic films such as "Spartacus," "Diamonds are Forever," and "The Karate Kid." One of his most renowned stunts involved a dramatic leap from a flaming pole in the 1963 film "Kings of the Sun."
He also demonstrated his skills through various fighting scenes in the Civil War-set film "Shenandoah," a lively bar brawl in "Blazing Saddles," and impressive fire effects in "The Towering Inferno," released in the same year. Later, Rondell served as a stunt coordinator for films like "Batman and Robin" and "The Mighty Ducks."
Although not a household name, fans may recall the dramatic moments he captured while on set for the Pink Floyd album cover, where a sudden gust of wind caused flames to engulf his face during the shoot, resulting in the loss of an eyebrow and part of his distinctive moustache. In 1970, Rondell launched his own stunts company, Stunts Unlimited, in California, eventually retiring in 2001, only to make his final stunt appearance in the 2003 film "The Matrix Reloaded," where he participated in a complex car chase.
In recognition of his contributions, Rondell received a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004. The Rondell family legacy extends beyond Ronnie; his father, Ronald R. Rondell, worked as an actor and assistant director, known for his role in the 1956 adaptation of "Around the World in 80 Days." Tragically, Rondell's son Reid also became part of the industry but lost his life during a helicopter stunt for the TV series "Airwolf" in 1985.
