**Ronnie Rondell Jr., a celebrated stuntman who gained fame for his fiery portrayal on Pink Floyd's iconic album cover, has died at the age of 88. He leaves behind a legacy spanning over five decades in the Hollywood film industry.**
**Iconic Stuntman Ronnie Rondell Jr. Passes Away at 88, Remembered for His Unforgettable Roles**
**Iconic Stuntman Ronnie Rondell Jr. Passes Away at 88, Remembered for His Unforgettable Roles**
**The Hollywood legend, renowned for his daring stunts and significant contributions to film and television, leaves behind a storied legacy.**
Ronnie Rondell Jr., a prominent Hollywood stuntman recognized for his daring fire stunt on the iconic album cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," has passed away at the age of 88 at a care home in Missouri. His death on August 12 was announced via an online obituary. During his extensive career, which spanned over 50 years, Rondell contributed to numerous films and television series, including notable projects like "Lethal Weapon," "Thelma and Louise," and "Star Trek: First Contact." He is survived by his wife Mary and his son Ronald.
Born in California in 1937, Rondell embarked on his acting journey as a teenager in the early 1950s with the movie "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair." He made his mark as a stuntman in the TV series "Soldiers of Fortune" (1955-1957) and went on to work on high-profile TV series such as "Charlie's Angels," "Dynasty," and "Baywatch," in addition to films like "Spartacus," "Diamonds are Forever," and "The Karate Kid." One of his most daring stunts involved leaping from a burning pole in the 1963 film "Kings of the Sun."
Rondell's work extended to coordinating stunts for films like "Batman and Robin" and "The Mighty Ducks." His fire stunt during the photo shoot for Pink Floyd’s 1975 album cover is a highlight of his career, although it led to minor burns and the loss of an eyebrow and part of his iconic moustache. In 1970, he founded Stunts Unlimited in California and continued working until 2001, receiving his final credit for "The Matrix Reloaded" in 2003.
His lifelong commitment to the craft was acknowledged in 2004 when he received a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards. The art of performance was a family affair; Rondell's father was a well-known actor and assistant director, contributing to classics like the 1956 adaptation of "Around the World in 80 Days." Tragically, Rondell's son Reid was also an actor, who lost his life in 1985 during a helicopter stunt for the series "Airwolf."
Born in California in 1937, Rondell embarked on his acting journey as a teenager in the early 1950s with the movie "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair." He made his mark as a stuntman in the TV series "Soldiers of Fortune" (1955-1957) and went on to work on high-profile TV series such as "Charlie's Angels," "Dynasty," and "Baywatch," in addition to films like "Spartacus," "Diamonds are Forever," and "The Karate Kid." One of his most daring stunts involved leaping from a burning pole in the 1963 film "Kings of the Sun."
Rondell's work extended to coordinating stunts for films like "Batman and Robin" and "The Mighty Ducks." His fire stunt during the photo shoot for Pink Floyd’s 1975 album cover is a highlight of his career, although it led to minor burns and the loss of an eyebrow and part of his iconic moustache. In 1970, he founded Stunts Unlimited in California and continued working until 2001, receiving his final credit for "The Matrix Reloaded" in 2003.
His lifelong commitment to the craft was acknowledged in 2004 when he received a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards. The art of performance was a family affair; Rondell's father was a well-known actor and assistant director, contributing to classics like the 1956 adaptation of "Around the World in 80 Days." Tragically, Rondell's son Reid was also an actor, who lost his life in 1985 during a helicopter stunt for the series "Airwolf."
