Mel Novak(1934-2025)
- Actor
- Producer
Quintessential action movie villain Mel Novak battled a who's who of legendary Hollywood heroes and is best known as Stick the Assassin in Bruce Lee's Le Jeu de la mort (1978). Through his appearances in several highly regarded martial arts films, Mel quickly gained a cult following among action film fans. He has also starred in Black Belt Jones opposite Jim Kelly; The Ultimate Warrior opposite Yul Brynner; An Eye for an Eye opposite Chuck Norris and Christopher Lee; Tom Horn opposite Steve McQueen; Garry Marshall's Exit To Eden opposite Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell, and also was featured alongside Mel Gibson in Greg Laurie's documentary Steve McQueen American Icon, which ranked #3 at the box office on it's opening night right behind The Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and Stephen King's It.
His first appearance was a villainous role, where he portrayed a Nazi opposite Jerry Lewis in Which Way to the Front. His first villainous TV role was as a hit man opposite Mike Connors and Abe Vigoda in the classic series Mannix. This role was also his first kill. While he is the ultimate villain on screen, in real life, he was a true hero. Mel is also inducted into five various Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He got bestowed with numerous awards for his acting work as well as humanitarian awards for all his numerous charitable endeavors. He volunteered on Skid Row for over 30 years and counseled prisoners at the most dangerous prisons in the country and also volunteered with the Special Olympics.
His first appearance was a villainous role, where he portrayed a Nazi opposite Jerry Lewis in Which Way to the Front. His first villainous TV role was as a hit man opposite Mike Connors and Abe Vigoda in the classic series Mannix. This role was also his first kill. While he is the ultimate villain on screen, in real life, he was a true hero. Mel is also inducted into five various Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He got bestowed with numerous awards for his acting work as well as humanitarian awards for all his numerous charitable endeavors. He volunteered on Skid Row for over 30 years and counseled prisoners at the most dangerous prisons in the country and also volunteered with the Special Olympics.
