Ronnie Rondell Jr., a prominent Hollywood stuntman and actor, passed away at the age of 88 on August 12 at a care home in Missouri, as reported in an online obituary. His career spanned over 50 years, during which he worked on numerous films and television shows, including notable projects like Lethal Weapon, Thelma and Louise, and Star Trek: First Contact. Rondell is survived by his wife, Mary, and his son, Ronald.
Born in California in 1937, Rondell began his acting career as a teenager in the early 1950s with a role in the film Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair. He transitioned to stunt work with the TV series Soldiers of Fortune (1955-1957) and later contributed to several well-known US television series, such as Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty, and Baywatch, as well as films like Spartacus, Diamonds Are Forever, and The Karate Kid. Notably, Rondell executed one of his most recognized stunts in the 1963 film Kings of the Sun, where he jumped from a burning pole.
His stunt credits expanded to include intricate fight scenes in The Towering Inferno and other significant films. In addition to performing, Rondell worked as a stunt coordinator on projects like Batman and Robin and The Mighty Ducks. He founded his own stunt company, Stunts Unlimited, in California in 1970.
Rondell’s portrayal in the famous cover photo for Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here is memorable; during the shoot, he suffered minor burns due to a shift in wind direction that ignited the flames in his face. He received a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004. His artistic legacy continues, as his family remains involved in the entertainment industry, including his late son Reid, who tragically died while performing a helicopter stunt in 1985.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05e0z9lj3mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss