Who was Mel Novak married to? Bruce Lee' Game of Death famed actor dies at 90

Actor Mel Novak, well-known for his role in Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, died on April 9, 2025, at 90. According to TMZ, the actor’s daughter, Nikol Conant, shared the news with the news outlet. His daughter mentioned that he died of natural causes at a care facility. Reflecting on the injuries her father sustained while shooting, Conant said:

“Cause he was known for doing all of his own stunts and fighting scenes. But, he was in pain daily, especially the past few years, from the beatings he took in front of the camera.”

Mel Novak was married to Vera Novak. His two kids are Nikol Conant and Lea Novak. He is also a grandfather.

According to The Mirror US, Mel once shared that after moving to Los Angeles, he landed a job as a bodily injury claims adjuster at an insurance company. While working there, he met a colleague who introduced him to her cousin, a modeling agent.

He ended up modeling for several years, doing runway shows and magazine ads while still working as an adjuster. The modeling agent noticed his expressive nature during photo shoots and encouraged him to try acting. Before long, he enrolled in acting school and quickly developed a passion for it. In an interview with Nanarland, he said:

“I just wanted to pay off all the medical bills & the loan for the money the scholarship did not pay. It was there that I met a gal that set up a meeting with her cousin that was a modeling agent. I worked as a model for several years, ramp shows & photography, while still working as an adjuster. The agent had me go to an acting school & I studied with some excellent acting coaches.”

Mel Novak on working with individuals like Robert Clouse and Steve McQueen

When asked how he ended up working on Game of Death after Bruce Lee’s death, Mel Novak shared that director Robert Clouse approached him with a role following the completion of Black Belt Jones.

Novak said it was a positive experience working with actors like Hugh O'Brien, Gig Young, and Dean Jagger. He appreciated that Clouse followed through on his word, which he noted was rare in the industry. Novak believed Clouse valued his natural acting style and ability to handle fight scenes and stunts.

As a former athlete, Mel Novak said he spent a lot of time with stunt performers. He also trained in karate with well-known martial artists such as Pat Johnson, Bob Wall, and others.

The interviewer asked about working with big-name stars. Mel Novak recalled that Steve McQueen was the most famous actor he had ever worked with. He described McQueen’s presence on screen as unique and noted that McQueen preferred being grounded.

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Before they worked together on Tom Horn, Novak met McQueen during a trap shooting outing with a lawyer friend where Steven Spielberg and others were present. McQueen remembered Novak after years. While McQueen was battling cancer, Mel Novak often prayed with him and offered spiritual support over the phone.

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