Pink Floyd Album Stuntman Ronnie Rondell Jr. Dies at 88

Ronnie Rondell Jr., the veteran Hollywood stuntman best remembered for being set ablaze on the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here, has died at 88. His family confirmed he passed away on August 12 at a care facility in Missouri.

Rondell, who was born in 1937 in California, started performing as a teenager and went on to become a stunt performer for decades.  He starred in a number of movies and television series from the 1950s to the 1990s, such as Spartacus, Diamonds Are Forever, Blazing Saddles, Charlie's Angels, Baywatch, and The Matrix Reloaded.  Additionally, he coordinated stunts for films like The Mighty Ducks and Batman & Robin.

Rondell’s most famous moment came with a daring stunt for the Wish You Were Here cover, where he played a businessman on fire while shaking hands with another man. The shoot took multiple attempts, and one time during another take the wind caught and singed part of his moustache and eyebrow. Nonetheless, in spite of the danger it became one of the most memorable images in rock history.

In 1970, Rondell co-founded Stunts Unlimited as a company to train and provide stunt professionals for Hollywood productions. He was still highly respected mentor as well as an acting and manager role model.

Rondell made a brief comeback for a farewell role in The Matrix Reloaded (2003), after having retired in 2001.  He received a lifetime achievement award from the Taurus World Stunt Awards a year later.

 His son Ronald and wife Mary survive him.  In 1985, his second son, Reid, who also performed stunts, sadly lost his life while doing a helicopter stunt.

In their homage, Stunts Unlimited referred to him as "a legend" and "a generous mentor whose talents set the bar for every aspiring stunt performer."