Ronnie Rondell Jr. , the Hollywood stuntman who caught fire on the cover of Pink Floyd 's Wish You Were Here died on August 12 at the age of 88.
According to an online obituary, [via BBC News ], the Hollywood stuntman and actor died in a nursing home in the US state of Missouri.
Ronnie Rondell Jr. was involved in the production of several films and TV shows during his career, including Lethal Weapon , The Karate Kid , and Star Trek: First Contact. However, his most notable role was the iconic photo for Pink Floyd's album Wish You Were Here (1975), where Rondell Jr. shook hands with fellow stuntman Danny Rogers.
The story of Ronnie Rondell Jr. behind the photo.
In 2020, the album cover photographer, Aubrey Powell , said in an interview with The Guardian that Rondell was reluctant to do the scene. According to the stuntman, "it was more dangerous than an action scene."
Aubrey Powell said: “I explained to Ronnie what I needed and he said, ‘It’s dangerous for a man to stand still in the fire. Usually, you’re running and the fire spreads behind you. Or you’re falling and the fire is above you. Or you can always see from the camera angles that the stuntman is closer to the fire than he actually is, but to stand still…?’. He was very reluctant, but he eventually agreed.”
Rondell Jr. was wearing a suit and wig coated with flame retardant and a gel to protect him. The photographer took the picture 14 times, all successfully. But on the 15th attempt, the wind changed direction and threw the fire into Rondell Jr.'s face, causing him to lose an eyebrow and part of his characteristic mustache.
Then Powell added, "Ronnie was very kind about it, considering... but, for him, as a film industry professional, it was all a matter of routine."
READ ALSO : Pink Floyd returns to the top of the UK album charts
