Ronnie Rondell Jr., a prominent Hollywood stuntman renowned for his fiery stunt on the cover of Pink Floyd's legendary album *Wish You Were Here*, has passed away at the age of 88.
**Hollywood Stunt Legend Ronnie Rondell Jr. Passes Away at 88**
**Hollywood Stunt Legend Ronnie Rondell Jr. Passes Away at 88**
A celebrated figure in stunt performance, known for iconic Pink Floyd album cover, dies peacefully.
Rondell Jr. died on August 12 at a care facility in Missouri, as shared in an obituary online. His creative journey spanned over 50 years, encapsulating roles in various esteemed films and television projects such as *Lethal Weapon*, *Thelma and Louise*, and *Star Trek: First Contact*. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and their son, Ronald.
Born in California in 1937, Rondell's passion for performance began in his teenage years with his debut in the comedy *Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair*. His first significant role as a stuntman emerged in the television series *Soldiers of Fortune*, which aired from 1955 to 1957. Over the decades, he showcased his talents across multiple major productions, including *Charlie’s Angels*, *Dynasty*, *Baywatch*, *Spartacus*, and *Diamonds Are Forever*.
Among his most memorable performances was his daring act of jumping from a flaming pole in the 1963 movie *Kings of the Sun*. He contributed to battling sequences in the 1965 film *Shenandoah*, a brawl in the Western classic *Blazing Saddles* from 1974, and spectacular fire stunts in *The Towering Inferno*, also released that year.
Rondell launched his own stunt company, Stunts Unlimited, in California in 1970 and remained influential in the industry until his retirement in 2001. His last credited stunt role occurred in *The Matrix Reloaded* in 2003, where he executed an intricate car chase sequence. His legacy was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004.
Though oftentimes overlooked, Rondell is widely recognized for his involvement in the iconic Pink Floyd album cover for *Wish You Were Here*, where a sudden change in wind caused fire to encroach upon him during the shoot, leading to minor injuries.
The Rondell family has a rich history in the arts; his father worked as an actor and assistant director, and both of his sons found their paths in the industry, although tragically, one lost his life performing a stunt for *Airwolf* in 1985.
Born in California in 1937, Rondell's passion for performance began in his teenage years with his debut in the comedy *Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair*. His first significant role as a stuntman emerged in the television series *Soldiers of Fortune*, which aired from 1955 to 1957. Over the decades, he showcased his talents across multiple major productions, including *Charlie’s Angels*, *Dynasty*, *Baywatch*, *Spartacus*, and *Diamonds Are Forever*.
Among his most memorable performances was his daring act of jumping from a flaming pole in the 1963 movie *Kings of the Sun*. He contributed to battling sequences in the 1965 film *Shenandoah*, a brawl in the Western classic *Blazing Saddles* from 1974, and spectacular fire stunts in *The Towering Inferno*, also released that year.
Rondell launched his own stunt company, Stunts Unlimited, in California in 1970 and remained influential in the industry until his retirement in 2001. His last credited stunt role occurred in *The Matrix Reloaded* in 2003, where he executed an intricate car chase sequence. His legacy was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004.
Though oftentimes overlooked, Rondell is widely recognized for his involvement in the iconic Pink Floyd album cover for *Wish You Were Here*, where a sudden change in wind caused fire to encroach upon him during the shoot, leading to minor injuries.
The Rondell family has a rich history in the arts; his father worked as an actor and assistant director, and both of his sons found their paths in the industry, although tragically, one lost his life performing a stunt for *Airwolf* in 1985.
