While many might not recognise Rondell’s name, they will have likely seen him set alight for the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here while shaking hands with fellow stuntman Danny Rogers.
During the shoot, the wind changed direction and blew the fire into his face, causing him to lose an eyebrow and part of his signature moustache.
Rondell started his own stunts company, Stunts Unlimited, in California in 1970.
He retired in 2001, but earned his final stunt credit for The Matrix Reloaded in 2003 – taking part in a complex car chase scene.
Rondell was given a lifetime achievement honour at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2004.
He was not the only performer in the family. His father, Ronald R Rondell, was an actor and assistant director – known for his work on films including the 1956 adaptation of the Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days.
Both of Rondell’s sons have also worked in the industry, one of whom, Reid, died while performing a helicopter stunt for the TV series Airwolf in 1985.