Quintessential action movie villain Mel Novak has battled a who's who of legendary Hollywood heroes and is best known as Stick the Assassin in Bruce Lee's Game of Death. 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, The Ultimate Warrior opposite Yul Brenner, An Eye for an Eye opposite Chuck Norris, & Christopher Lee, Tom Horn, opposite Steve McQueen, Garry Marshall's Exit To Eden opposites Dan Aykroyd & Rosie O'Donnell, and more recently Mel 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 Kingman : The Golden Circle & 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 is a true hero. Mel is also inducted into five various Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He has been bestowed with numerous awards for his acting work as well as humanitarian awards for all his numerous charitable endeavors. He has been volunteering on Skid Row for over 30 years and has counseled prisoners at the most dangerous prisons in the country and has also volunteered with the Special Olympics.Almost died in 1998 from peritonitis caused by an anti-inflammatory prescription medication. Is an ordained minister and has ministered to Skid Row residents and prison inmates. Was a professional baseball player with The Pittsburgh Pirates in his youth, but his career was cut short by a massive rotator cuff injury. Recipient of numerous entertainment,civic and humanitarian awards: The Golden Halo Award presented by The Southern California Motion Pictures Council, The Spirit Award presented by the Multicultural Motion Pictures Association, The Golden Mask award presented by The Hollywood Appreciation Society. As an ordained minister he has performed funerals and memorial services for numerous celebrities such as Tim Burton's father and Chuck Connors' son, Jeffrey. Best known by the public for his co-starring role as "Stick" in Bruce Lee's Game of Death (1978). Inducted into The Martial Arts Master of Fame in 2015. Appeared in four films directed by Robert Clouse: Black Belt Jones (1974), The Ultimate Warrior (1975), Game of Death (1978) and Force: Five (1981). Has appeared with Chuck Norris in two films: A Force Of One ( 1979), and An Eye for An Eye (1981). Has appeared in two films Directed by Garry Marshall : Exit to Eden ( 1994), and Dear God (1996). He was originally offered the role of Nicky LaBelle in an Eye for an Eye, which he turned down. The role eventually went to Stuart Pankin. He was then offered the more significant and memorable role of Tony Montoya in the film. Was offered the lead role of Tim Ochopee in the cult classic Stanley (1972), but turned it down. Was up for the role of Paul McAnn in the Charles Bronson cult classic 10 to Midnight (1983). Was up for the role of Mikhail Rostov in the Chuck Norris action film Invasion U.S.A. In July 2002 and 2015 he was a guest at Dragonfest in Burbank,California along with Bai Ling,Michael Jai White,Martin Kove,Cynthia Rothrock,Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa,Sasha Mitchell,Al Leong,Don The Dragon Wilson and Fred Williamson. Has appeared in two films with William Forsythe : Direct Hit ( 1994 ), and Check Point ( 2017 ). Has appeared in two films with Colleen Camp Game Of Death ( 1978 ), and Cat In The Cage ( 1978 ).