Ronnie Rondell Jr.the Hollywood actor who was famous for being set on fire for the album cover “Wish you were here” of Pink Floydhe died at 88.
Rondell Jr died on August 12 in an elderly home in the American state of Missouri, according to an online obituary, through BBC News.
He participated in the production of several films and television programs during his career, including Mortal weapon, Thelma and Louise and Star Trek: First Contact.
Rondell Jr’s first role as a specialist was for the television series Soldiers of Fortunewhich was broadcast between 1955 and 1957. Between the decades of 1960 and 1990 he worked in several American television series, including Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty and Baywatch, as well as in films such as Spartacus, Diamonds Are Forever and The Karate Kid.
Rondell Jr. retired in 2001, but obtained his final credit as a specialist in the car persecution scene for The Matrix Reloaded in 2003.
Although many might not recognize the name of Rondell Jr, he was more famous for burning for the iconic cover of Pink Floyd’s album of 1975 “Wish You Were Here”, while shaking the hand of his partner specialist Danny Rogers.
How the album lid was created “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
Aubrey Powell, who took the photograph for the cover of the album, told the Guardian portal that Rondell Jr. had been reluctant to do the trick and said it was more dangerous than an action scene.
He said at that time: “I explained to Ronnie what I needed and said: ‘It is dangerous for a man to stay still in the middle of the fire. Normally, run and fire extends behind youor Caes and the fire is on top, or you can always see with the chamber angles that the specialist is closer to the fire than it really is, but stay still … ‘”. He was very reticent, but finally agreed.
Powell said Rondell Jr. wore a suit and a wig covered with flame retardant and a protective gel. He got it 14 times, but in the fifteenth attempt, The wind changed direction and threw the fire in the face, causing the loss of an eyebrow and part of its characteristic mustache.
“Ronnie was very friendly about it … but as far as he was respecting as a professional in the film industry, everything was part of the work of a day,” Powell added.
Storm Thorgersonwho worked closely with Pink Floyd on the covers of his albums over the years, was the one who had the idea.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
