Ronnie Rondell Jr., Famed Stuntman and ‘Wish You Were Hear’ Cover Star, Dies at 88
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The veteran Hollywood stunt performer, known for his fiery appearance on Pink Floyd‘s iconic album cover, passed away in Missouri.
Ronnie Rondell Jr., the stuntman whose fiery image graced the cover of Pink Floyd‘s album *Wish You Were Here*, has died at 88.
His family confirmed that Rondell Jr. passed away on Tuesday at a senior living facility in Missouri. The cause of death was not disclosed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
With over 200 film and television credits, Rondell Jr. built a prolific career as a stuntman and actor. However, he remains most recognizable for the striking photograph on Pink Floyd’s 1975 album, *Wish You Were Here*. The image depicts him engulfed in flames on a Hollywood backlot (warner Bros. studios), shaking hands with Danny Rogers, who was wearing a suit.
“I’d been doing a lot of fire work in those days,and I had the special suits and all this stuff for fully enveloped fire,” Rondell jr.recalled in the documentary *Pink Floyd: The Story of Wish You were Here*. “It was pretty easy to do, not to life-threatening, and paid well.”
The photo shoot, the brainchild of Hipgnosis‘ Storm Thorgesen and Audrey Powell, required Rondell Jr. to be set ablaze approximately 15 times.Wind and other unpredictable elements made capturing the perfect shot a challenge. “There’s a funny thing about fire.When it gets in your face, you’re going to move,” Rondell Jr. explained.
Despite losing an eyebrow and part of his mustache during the shoot, Rondell Jr.’s sacrifice resulted in an iconic image.*Wish You Were here* is celebrated as one of the greatest album covers ever created.
“I’d been doing a lot of fire work in those days… It was pretty easy to do, not too life-threatening, and paid well.”
Powell acknowledged rondell Jr.’s professionalism, stating, “Ronnie was very gracious about it considering… but as far as he was concerned as a professional in the movie industry it was all in a day’s work.”
Rondell Jr.’s extensive career spanned from 1955 to 2003. He performed stunts and served as a stunt coordinator in numerous films and television shows, including *Lethal Weapon*, *Batman & Robin*, *Twister*, *The Crow*, *Predator 2*, *They Live*, *The karate Kid*, *Commando*, and *charlie’s Angels*.Although he officially retired in 2000, he returned for a final appearance in 2003’s *The Matrix Reloaded*, where his son, R.A. Rondell, served as supervising stunt coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stunt Performers
- What qualifications are needed to become a stunt performer?
- While there are no formal education requirements, stunt performers typically have extensive training in areas like martial arts, gymnastics, and driving. They also need to be in excellent physical condition.
- How dangerous is stunt work?
- Stunt work is inherently dangerous, but safety is a top priority. Stunt performers use specialized equipment and techniques to minimize risk, and productions employ stunt coordinators to oversee safety protocols.
- How are stunt performers compensated?
- Stunt performers are typically paid per stunt, and their earnings can vary widely depending on the complexity and danger of the stunt. Experienced stunt performers can earn significantly more than those just starting out.
Sources
- The Hollywood reporter: Ronnie Rondell Jr., Stuntman on Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ Album Cover, Dies at 88
- Rolling Stone: Pink Floyd
- SAG-AFTRA: Stunt Safety
- CDC: Stunt-Related injuries and Fatalities
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Athletes and sports Competitors
- IBISWorld: Stunt Actors in the US – Employment Statistics
