Milan Mrdjenovich (, Milan Mrđenović; June 16, 1934 – April 9, 2025), known as Mel Novak, was an American actor who was best known for villainous roles in Black Belt Jones, Game of Death, and An Eye for an Eye. He was also known for doing all of his own stunts and fighting scenes.
Career 1970s–1980s Born in Pittsburgh on June 16, 1934 to Serbian parents, Novak made his film debut in 1974, appearing in two blaxploitation films, Truck Turner starring Isaac Hayes and Black Belt Jones starring Jim Kelly that was directed by Robert Clouse that led to a part in Clouse's The Ultimate Warrior (1975) starring Yul Brynner. Cat in the Cage (1978) starring Sybil Danning, and others followed. One of his more high-profile parts from the 70's was as the hitman Stick in Game of Death (1978), again directed by Robert Clouse. Novak also had roles in two Chuck Norris films, A Force of One (1979) and An Eye for an Eye (1981). After the turn of the 1980's, Novak acted mostly in independent features, such as Lovely But Deadly (1981) for director/producer David Sheldon, starring B-movie heroine Lucinda Dooling.
1990s–2000s In the 1990s, Novak appeared in two films for director Garry Marshall: Exit to Eden (1994), based on the novel by Anne Rice, and Dear God (1996).
In 2005, Novak appeared in the action/horror film Vampire Assassin, also featuring Gerald Okamura, with whom Novak acted in several films, and Rudy Ray Moore. In 2008, Novak was inducted in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in London. In 2015, Novak had a prominent role in the action film, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance.
In 2020, Novak had a role in the Leo Fong 2010 film, Hard Way Heroes.The Hylden channel, Mar 11, 2010 - Hard Way Heroes Trailer 1: The GhostConstant Contact - Mel Novak At Harvest Celebration Church - Friday August 16, 2013
Personal life and death Novak was also an ordained minister, known for doing celebrity funerals and memorials for the likes of Chuck Connors' son, Jeffrey Alan Connors, and Tim Burton's father, Bill Burton. He worked in skid row and prison ministry for over 39 years. He also had two daughters, Nikol and Lea, and three grandchildren from daughter Lea.
Novak died at a hospice in Granada Hills, California, on April 9, 2025, at the age of 90.
Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes1974 Black Belt Jones Blue Eyes Truck Turner Doctor Alternative title: Black Bullet 1975 The Ultimate Warrior Lippert Alternative titles: The BaronyThe Last Warrior1978 Game of Death Stick Missile X: The Neutron Bomb Incident Mendosa Alternative title: Teheran Incident Cat in the Cage Ralph Desmond 1979 A Force of One The Announcer 1980 Tom Horn Corbett's bodyguard1981 Lovely But Deadly Warren Lang Force: Five The Assassin An Eye for an Eye Montoya1985 Force of Darkness Conrad Sword of Heaven Dirk 1989 Family Reunion Tom Andrews 1991 Capital Punishment Mason Dover Alternative title: Kickbox Terminator 1993 Expert Weapon Miller Alternative title: American Dragon1994 Pocket Ninjas Mr. Kaufman Working title: Skate DragonsAlternative title: Super Sonic Pocket Ninjas on WheelsForeign release title: Triple Dragon Direct Hit Kovar Exit to Eden Walker's henchman 1996 Dear God Sidewalk Minister1997 Future War Otis Moonbase Guard 1999 The F-Zone Priest 2002 Power Elite President Jonathan Caine 2003 GiAnts Jonathan Caine Direct-to-DVD release2005 SWAT: Warhead One Dick Danvers Direct-to-DVD release Vampire Assassin Gustoff Slovak Alternate title: Vampire Assassins 2006 Big Guns Larry Armstrong Direct-to-DVD release 2008 Drifter TKD Thomas Tyler 2010 Hard Way Heroes Super Fly 2015 Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance Cutter 2016 Enter the Samurai Himself Documentary on the creation of Samurai Cop 2:Deadly Vengeance 2017 Syndicate Smasher Milan Steve McQueen: American Icon Himself Documentary Check Point (2017 film) The Reverend Holy Terror Father Murphy Toxic Tutu Himself, Associate Producer Nemesis 5: The New Model Red Army Hammerhead Leader 2018 Tales of Frankenstein Dr. Mortality An Hour to Kill Mr. Kinski 2019 Gangsters Incorporated Stick Robowoman Dr. Michaels Eternal Code Mr. Pomeroy 2020 The Beast Beneath Mayor George Reid Tales from the Campfire 3 Dr. Challis Ebola RexGeneral Davis Ebola Rex Versus Murder Hornets 2022 Ash and Bone Bartender Louie Television Year Film Role Notes 1971 The F.B.I. Policeman1 episode 1973 Mannix Elmo Bagley1976 The Blue Knight Steve Ark II First guard 2006 Pastor Greg Man with dog
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External links
A Nanarland.com interview