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Ronnie Rondell Jr. was a stuntman and stunt coordinator in numerous films and series. These include, for example, for classics such as “Lethal Weapon” (1987), “Batman & Robin” (1997), “The Crow” (1994) or “Star Trek” (1996).
Even if many may not know the name of the man, millions have already seen him on the cover of the Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were here” (1975). He is the burning man who shakes his hand to his stunt colleague Danny Rogers.
The burning man of Pink Floyd
In an interview with “The Guardian” The cover of the cover, Aubrey Powell, tells how the image of the ninth studio album of the British rock band was shot. Powell wanted a special cover on the occasion of the album, which dealt with the pitfalls of the music industry and the farewell of front singer and Syd Barnett. One that should capture the volume of the band’s tightrope with regard to commercial success and creative freedom.
When it came to the conception, Powell said to his team: “‘Have a Cigar’ is about insignificance in the music business. What do you think of a picture of two business people, one of whom is on fire in a deal?”.
But how can such an undertaking without CGI or Photoshop? “We set fire to a man,” Powell was certain. Then Ronnie Rondell came into play. A total of 14 attempts needed to capture the picture as the world knows.
The stuntman was already a well -known size in Hollywood at the time, but you don’t experience every day. “Rondell had initially refused to make his stunt. He said he was more dangerous than an action scene,” said Powell. Rondell Jr. was equipped with a suit and wig was equipped with flame retardant – nothing could have happened.
But the 15th attempt came up a gust of wind that whirled the fire around Rondell Jr.’s face and cost him an eyebrow. Aubrey Powell took the legendary photo on the site of the “Warner Bros.” Studios in Burank, Los Angeles. You can see Ronnie Rondell Jr., the burning stuntman, and Danny Rogers, who shakes his hand.
According to Powell’s stories, the Stuntman has thrown himself onto the floor immediately afterwards, and after his entire team to extinguish him with blankets. “I knew that I got a special picture,” explains the photographer. Would have another attempt Rondell Jr. Also not daring how he remembers the band in a documentary: “Fire has something strange about it. If it comes to your face, you move”.
Legend and mentor of an entire industry
Ronnie Rondell Jr. was one of the three founders of the renowned stunt company “Stunts Unlimited“In California. The company was launched in 1970 and is still considered an institution in the international stun scene. In an obituary,“ Stunts Unlimited ”recognized his co -founder:“ In a class in a class, Ronnie was a generous mentor, whose talent was the measurement battice for every generation of young people. He was deeply respected, admired and loved. Legend, he was legendary – and he is painfully missed ”.
Rondell ended his active career in 2001, but received his last stunt credit for “Matrix Reloaded” in 2003, where he was involved in the spectacular chase on the highway. In 2004 he was with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the “Taurus World Stunt Awards“Excellent – one of the highest honors in his industry.