Ronnie Rondell Jr., a renowned stuntman known for his daring and memorable performances, has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy in the film industry.
Legacy of a Stunt Legend: Ronnie Rondell Jr. Passes at 88
Legacy of a Stunt Legend: Ronnie Rondell Jr. Passes at 88
Celebrated Hollywood stuntman remembered for bold feats, including infamous Pink Floyd album cover.
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Ronnie Rondell Jr., the legendary Hollywood stuntman best known for his striking appearance on the front cover of Pink Floyd's revered album Wish You Were Here, has died at the age of 88. His death occurred on August 12 at a care facility in Missouri, as noted in a recent obituary.
With an illustrious career spanning over half a century, Rondell's contributions to cinema and television are vast. His work includes stunt roles and appearances in notable productions such as Lethal Weapon, Thelma and Louise, and Star Trek: First Contact. Born in California in 1937, he dived into acting as a teenager with his role in the film Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair. His first foray into stunt work came with the TV series Soldiers of Fortune.
Throughout the decades, Rondell showcased his talents in numerous hit TV series, including Charlie's Angels and Baywatch, and films such as Spartacus and The Karate Kid. One of his most famous stunts involved leaping from a flaming pole in the 1963 film Kings of the Sun. He also engaged audiences with thrilling action scenes in classics like The Towering Inferno and the 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles.
Despite his fame as a stuntman, many fans may recognize him primarily for the flamboyant stunt he performed for Pink Floyd's 1975 album cover, which saw him catch fire while shaking hands with fellow stuntman Danny Rogers. The shot involved rigorous safety protocols, but during one of the attempts, a shift in the wind led to an unfortunate mishap, singeing his eyebrow and part of his iconic moustache. Nonetheless, he handled the incident with professionalism, remarking that it was all part of his job.
In 1970, he helped establish Stunts Unlimited, a prominent organization for stunt professionals, where he was regarded as a mentor and inspiration for newcomers in the field. Following his formal retirement in 2001, he earned his last stunt credit in The Matrix Reloaded in 2003 and was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004.
Academically, Rondell continued the family tradition of performance; his father, Ronald R Rondell, was an actor and assistant director, and both of his sons also ventured into the industry, although it is with great sadness that one, Reid, passed away during an aerial stunt for Airwolf in 1985. The legacy of Ronnie Rondell Jr. will resonate within the entertainment industry for years to come.
Ronnie Rondell Jr., the legendary Hollywood stuntman best known for his striking appearance on the front cover of Pink Floyd's revered album Wish You Were Here, has died at the age of 88. His death occurred on August 12 at a care facility in Missouri, as noted in a recent obituary.
With an illustrious career spanning over half a century, Rondell's contributions to cinema and television are vast. His work includes stunt roles and appearances in notable productions such as Lethal Weapon, Thelma and Louise, and Star Trek: First Contact. Born in California in 1937, he dived into acting as a teenager with his role in the film Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair. His first foray into stunt work came with the TV series Soldiers of Fortune.
Throughout the decades, Rondell showcased his talents in numerous hit TV series, including Charlie's Angels and Baywatch, and films such as Spartacus and The Karate Kid. One of his most famous stunts involved leaping from a flaming pole in the 1963 film Kings of the Sun. He also engaged audiences with thrilling action scenes in classics like The Towering Inferno and the 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles.
Despite his fame as a stuntman, many fans may recognize him primarily for the flamboyant stunt he performed for Pink Floyd's 1975 album cover, which saw him catch fire while shaking hands with fellow stuntman Danny Rogers. The shot involved rigorous safety protocols, but during one of the attempts, a shift in the wind led to an unfortunate mishap, singeing his eyebrow and part of his iconic moustache. Nonetheless, he handled the incident with professionalism, remarking that it was all part of his job.
In 1970, he helped establish Stunts Unlimited, a prominent organization for stunt professionals, where he was regarded as a mentor and inspiration for newcomers in the field. Following his formal retirement in 2001, he earned his last stunt credit in The Matrix Reloaded in 2003 and was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004.
Academically, Rondell continued the family tradition of performance; his father, Ronald R Rondell, was an actor and assistant director, and both of his sons also ventured into the industry, although it is with great sadness that one, Reid, passed away during an aerial stunt for Airwolf in 1985. The legacy of Ronnie Rondell Jr. will resonate within the entertainment industry for years to come.
