Ronnie Rondell Jr., Fearless Hollywood Stuntman Behind Pink Floyd’s Fiery ‘Wish You Were Here’ Cover, Dies at 88
via Music News Radio / YouTube
Ronnie Rondell Jr., the fearless Hollywood stuntman whose fiery image became one of the most iconic album covers in rock history, has passed away at the age of 88. Best known to Pink Floyd fans as the businessman engulfed in flames on the cover of Wish You Were Here, Rondell died on August 10 at a senior living center in Missouri, according to his family. The news has sparked a wave of tributes, both from the film world and from music enthusiasts who recognize him as the man behind one of rock’s boldest visual statements.
The stunt world knew Rondell as a consummate professional who brought courage and precision to every job. His work extended far beyond album art, but the striking image of him ablaze while shaking hands captured the essence of Pink Floyd’s themes of absence and disillusionment. That cover remains one of the most celebrated in rock history, in no small part due to Rondell’s willingness to take on the dangerous task.
His passing marks the end of an era, as he represented a generation of stunt performers who pushed boundaries long before CGI effects became the norm. Rondell’s life embodied the blend of art and risk that defined his career, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable moments on both screen and album sleeve.
The Fiery Album Shoot
The Wish You Were Here photo session in 1975 has become almost as legendary as the music it accompanied. Photographer Aubrey Powell later recalled Rondell’s reluctance to perform the dangerous stunt. Unlike typical fire sequences in films, where the performer is running or falling, this shoot required him to stand perfectly still—an unnerving and inherently risky position for someone literally set ablaze. Rondell himself noted that the danger felt far greater than usual, since there was no motion to control the flames.
To prepare, Rondell was dressed in a flame-retardant suit and wig, but even with protective measures, the shoot demanded incredible resilience. He endured being set on fire 15 times as Powell sought the perfect shot. On the final attempt, a gust of wind blew the flames around his face, singeing him in the process. That incident marked the end of the session, with Rondell declaring he was done.
Ironically, that perilous moment produced the very image that would become immortalized on the album cover. Powell recognized immediately that it was the shot he had been chasing—a powerful composition that symbolized both danger and art. Rondell’s bravery in enduring the process helped capture one of the most striking and unforgettable images in rock music history.
View this post on Instagram
A Career in Film and Beyond
While his association with Pink Floyd made him a permanent figure in rock lore, Rondell’s stunt career spanned decades in Hollywood. He appeared in some of cinema’s most beloved classics, from the sweeping epic How the West Was Won in 1962 to the satirical western Blazing Saddles. His versatility allowed him to work across genres, whether in action-packed spy adventures like Diamonds Are Forever or gritty buddy-cop films such as Lethal Weapon.
Rondell’s reputation for skill and fearlessness made him one of the most sought-after stunt performers of his era. He seamlessly blended into some of Hollywood’s most high-profile productions, helping create movie moments that audiences took for granted, rarely knowing the real danger behind the scenes. His final credited work came in 2003 with The Matrix Reloaded, capping off a career that bridged old-school practical stunt work with modern blockbuster filmmaking.
Even beyond his on-screen contributions, Rondell’s legacy serves as a testament to the artistry and bravery of stunt professionals everywhere. His work reminds audiences that behind many of the most thrilling moments in entertainment history stands a performer willing to risk it all for the sake of authenticity. With his passing, Hollywood and the music world alike celebrate a man whose daring spirit left an indelible mark.
