Hollywood is mourning the passing of Mel Novak, the legendary action star known for his villainous roles and deep-rooted compassion off-screen. Novak died peacefully on April 9, 2025, at a care facility in Southern California. He was 90. His daughter, Nikol Conant, confirmed the news and shared that he passed of natural causes. [TMZ]
Born Milan Mrdjenovich in Pittsburgh on June 16, 1934, Novak was the child of Serbian immigrants. Though his early life revolved around athletics—securing football and basketball scholarships—his dreams of professional sports were cut short by a severe shoulder injury. That twist of fate led him toward acting, a decision that would shape the next six decades of his life. [Interview]
His big break wasn’t planned. While working in insurance, a co-worker introduced him to a modeling agent, which led to print ads and, eventually, acting school. “I didn’t think this would be my path,” he once shared, “but when doors open, you walk through them.”
Novak’s screen presence quickly caught the attention of directors. His debut in 1974’s Truck Turner and Black Belt Jones set the tone for his career. But it was his silent and lethal role as Stick in Bruce Lee’s posthumous film Game of Death that made him a cult figure. He portrayed villains with gritty intensity, often performing his own stunts, and rarely relied on doubles—a rarity even in that era.
Over the years, Novak became a familiar face in martial arts and grindhouse cinema. He starred alongside Chuck Norris in A Force of One, and opposite Yul Brynner in The Ultimate Warrior. While critics sometimes overlooked the films, fans embraced Novak’s raw commitment and captivating menace. “He made being the bad guy cool,” one fan wrote in a viral tweet after his passing.
But off-camera, Novak was anything but sinister. He spent nearly four decades ministering in prisons and on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. An ordained Christian minister, he worked closely with inmates, drug addicts, and the homeless—offering hope in places most never visit. He even officiated funerals for former co-stars, blending his Hollywood experience with pastoral compassion. Watch his moving appearance on PBS’s “Everybody with Angela Williamson”, where he speaks about redemption, addiction, and legacy.
Novak remained active well into his 80s, attending premieres, giving interviews, and encouraging indie filmmakers. In a 2018 interview with Nerdly, he said, “I still believe in the power of story, whether it’s on screen or in the streets.” That philosophy guided every role he took and every soul he reached.
He is survived by his daughters, Nikol and Lea, as well as several grandchildren. While many will remember him as the assassin in sunglasses or the snarling villain in a shadowy warehouse, those closest to him will remember the man who quietly fed the hungry and lifted the broken.
To revisit his legacy, you can watch his famous fight scenes in Game of Death or browse his complete filmography on IMDb. Mel Novak may have played the villain on screen, but in real life, he was something far greater.
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