Mel Novak, Bruce Lee co-star in “Game of Death,” dies at 90—family shares cause
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A golden era of martial arts cinema has lost one of its defining figures.
Mel Novak, best known for playing the villainous Stick in Game Of Death alongside Bruce Lee, has passed away at 90.
His family confirmed the cause of death was natural.
But Novak’s life story, like his film roles, was far from ordinary.
From Baseball Dreams to Big-Screen Brawls
Mel Novak was born Milan Mrdjenovich in Pennsylvania to Serbian immigrant parents.
His first love wasn’t acting—it was baseball.
He was even signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates before a devastating shoulder injury changed everything.
The injury left him unable to play and physically impaired for seven years.
But Novak fought back.
Through years of grueling gym training, he rebuilt his strength—and reinvented his path.
Finding Fame as Hollywood’s Ultimate Villain
His career began in modeling, but an agent saw something more.
Soon after, Novak made his television debut on Mannix, followed by a breakout film role in Black Belt Jones (1974).
His brooding presence and athletic skill made him a go-to villain in action cinema.
He performed all his own stunts—even as those stunts left him with permanent pain.
Novak appeared in A Force of One and An Eye for an Eye alongside Chuck Norris, but it was Game Of Death that cemented his place in film history.
He joined the project after Bruce Lee’s death, yet his performance held its own alongside the martial arts legend.
A Life Beyond the Spotlight
Off-screen, Novak lived by a different code.
He was an ordained minister and devoted much of his life to service—on Skid Row, in prisons, and overseas.
His faith shaped not just how he lived, but the roles he accepted.
He refused to play characters involved in rape, child abuse, nudity, or who used God’s name in vain.
And when he played villains, he insisted they paid for their sins by the film’s end.
To Novak, that was justice—not just scriptwriting.
Still Active Into His 90s
Even as he aged, Novak remained active in film.
He appeared in Garry Marshall’s Exit to Eden and Dear God, and several of his final projects—including Fight or Die—are still awaiting release.
Throughout his career, he stayed humble, grounded, and deeply grateful.
He never let fame outshine his mission to uplift others.
Tributes and Remembrance
Fans and film historians alike are honoring Novak’s enduring legacy.
Not only did he bring intensity and charisma to the screen—he also inspired many with his resilience and moral clarity.
Also read:
At The GrayVine, we remember him not just as a formidable actor, but as a man of character and conviction. Have a favorite Mel Novak role or memory? Join us in the comments and share how his work left an impression on you.
Mel Novak, best known for playing the villainous Stick in Game Of Death alongside Bruce Lee, has passed away at 90.
His family confirmed the cause of death was natural.
But Novak’s life story, like his film roles, was far from ordinary.
From Baseball Dreams to Big-Screen Brawls
Mel Novak was born Milan Mrdjenovich in Pennsylvania to Serbian immigrant parents.
His first love wasn’t acting—it was baseball.
He was even signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates before a devastating shoulder injury changed everything.
Mel Novak's family shared that the cause of his death was natural. Image source: Heart Of Hollywood Magazine / Youtube
The injury left him unable to play and physically impaired for seven years.
But Novak fought back.
Through years of grueling gym training, he rebuilt his strength—and reinvented his path.
Finding Fame as Hollywood’s Ultimate Villain
His career began in modeling, but an agent saw something more.
Soon after, Novak made his television debut on Mannix, followed by a breakout film role in Black Belt Jones (1974).
His brooding presence and athletic skill made him a go-to villain in action cinema.
He performed all his own stunts—even as those stunts left him with permanent pain.
Novak appeared in A Force of One and An Eye for an Eye alongside Chuck Norris, but it was Game Of Death that cemented his place in film history.
He joined the project after Bruce Lee’s death, yet his performance held its own alongside the martial arts legend.
A Life Beyond the Spotlight
Off-screen, Novak lived by a different code.
He was an ordained minister and devoted much of his life to service—on Skid Row, in prisons, and overseas.
His faith shaped not just how he lived, but the roles he accepted.
He refused to play characters involved in rape, child abuse, nudity, or who used God’s name in vain.
And when he played villains, he insisted they paid for their sins by the film’s end.
To Novak, that was justice—not just scriptwriting.
Still Active Into His 90s
Even as he aged, Novak remained active in film.
He appeared in Garry Marshall’s Exit to Eden and Dear God, and several of his final projects—including Fight or Die—are still awaiting release.
Throughout his career, he stayed humble, grounded, and deeply grateful.
He never let fame outshine his mission to uplift others.
Tributes and Remembrance
Fans and film historians alike are honoring Novak’s enduring legacy.
Not only did he bring intensity and charisma to the screen—he also inspired many with his resilience and moral clarity.
Also read:
- The end of an era: James Bond’s notorious villain Bruce Glover passes away at 92—see his son's emotional farewell
- Breaking: The oldest legend in Major League Baseball passes away—remembering the incredible journey of Art Schallock
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