Mel Novak: Cult-Böse weight died at the age of 90

The film world mourns the loss of one of its most distinctive villain: Mel Novak, who was world famous at the age of 90 due to his iconic role as a sniper stick in Bruce Lees (1940-1973) “My Last Fight” (1978). The character actor died on Wednesday of a natural death in a hospice in Granada Hills,

In his career, which was more than seven decades, Novak made a name for himself in numerous Martial arts films, especially as a charismatic villain. In addition to “My last fight”, he participated in the cult blaxploitation film “Free trip to the afterlife” (1974). Novak was also seen in several films with Chuck Norris (85), including informant Tony Montoya in “The Gigant” (1981). His filmography also includes the post-apocalyptic science fiction film “New York no longer replies” (1975) with Yul Brynner (1920-1985) and Max von Sydow (1929-2020) as well as appearances in the Garry-Marshall comedies “Undercover Cops” (1994) and “Dear God” (1996).

Mel Novak was born as Milan Mrdjenovich on June 16, 1934 in Pittsburgh as the son of Serbian parents. According to his own statements, he excluded numerous football scholarship offers to sign a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, an injury to the shoulder ended his baseball rooms early. In California, he initially worked as a damage regulator for an insurance company, while he also worked as a model and took acting lessons. He celebrated his breakthrough in the 1970s with the roles mentioned above.

From the screen, Novak worked for almost four decades as an ordained clergyman in social institutions and prisons in Los Angeles and nationwide. According to his daughter, his memoirs entitled “Cross Heir” are to be published in December. Next to her leaves Novak another daughter, Lea, as well as his grandchildren Ali and Ryan. His grandson Eli died of cancer in 2024.