Ronnie Rondell Jr., celebrated for his audacious work as a Hollywood stuntman, has died at the age of 88 in Missouri. Best known for being set on fire for the cover of Pink Floyd's iconic album, "Wish You Were Here," Rondell's career spanned over five decades and included a wide array of TV shows and movies.
He passed away on August 12, with news of his death shared through an online obituary. Rondell worked on notable projects like "Lethal Weapon," "Thelma and Louise," and "Star Trek: First Contact." He is survived by his wife, Mary, and son, Ronald.
Born in California in 1937, Rondell entered the industry as a teen in the film "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair." He began stunt work for the TV series "Soldiers of Fortune" and took on stunts for numerous productions from the 1960s to 1990s, including "Charlie's Angels" and "Baywatch."
One of Rondell's most recognized stunts occurred in 1963 when he leaped from a burning pole for the film "Kings of the Sun." His other notable works include fight scenes in "Shenandoah," a bar brawl in "Blazing Saddles," and fire scenes in "The Towering Inferno," all showcasing his talents.
Rondell founded Stunts Unlimited in 1970, a premier stunt company in California, and completed his last credited work on "The Matrix Reloaded" in 2003. He was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004. His family has strong roots in the entertainment industry; his father was also a performer, and both his sons followed in his footsteps. One of them, Reid, tragically passed away in a helicopter stunt for the TV series "Airwolf" in 1985.
He passed away on August 12, with news of his death shared through an online obituary. Rondell worked on notable projects like "Lethal Weapon," "Thelma and Louise," and "Star Trek: First Contact." He is survived by his wife, Mary, and son, Ronald.
Born in California in 1937, Rondell entered the industry as a teen in the film "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair." He began stunt work for the TV series "Soldiers of Fortune" and took on stunts for numerous productions from the 1960s to 1990s, including "Charlie's Angels" and "Baywatch."
One of Rondell's most recognized stunts occurred in 1963 when he leaped from a burning pole for the film "Kings of the Sun." His other notable works include fight scenes in "Shenandoah," a bar brawl in "Blazing Saddles," and fire scenes in "The Towering Inferno," all showcasing his talents.
Rondell founded Stunts Unlimited in 1970, a premier stunt company in California, and completed his last credited work on "The Matrix Reloaded" in 2003. He was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004. His family has strong roots in the entertainment industry; his father was also a performer, and both his sons followed in his footsteps. One of them, Reid, tragically passed away in a helicopter stunt for the TV series "Airwolf" in 1985.
