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Mel Novak

Mel Novak

Actor, also producer · Born June 16, 1950 (76) · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Born in Pittsburgh to Serbian parents as Milan Mrdjenovich (Serbian: Милан Мрђеновић, Milan Mrđenović), Novak made his film debut in 1974, appearing in two blaxploitation films.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 16, 1950 (76)
From
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
27 on MovieCove · 67 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 27% in 30 days

What are Mel Novak's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Action10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
36%
Morality
29%
Bonds
12%
Power
7%
Ideas
7%
Society
5%
Self
4%
Survival10 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTechnology2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 6 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 8 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Shadow
2 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5
Hero
1 of 5
Threshold guardian
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Absurd
9
Thrilling
7
Dread
5
Melancholic
3
Other
3

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous11

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mel Novak's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 27 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mel Novak's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

67 credits, 27 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ebola Rex Versus Murder Hornets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Lieutenant Gallagher

  • Arachnado 2: Flaming Spiders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Lieutenant Gallagher

  • Space Sharks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Steve Owens

  • Realm of Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Bishop Lucian

  • The Creeps 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Dr. Challis

  • Mega Ape(2023)

    as Mayor Huey

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • When It Rings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Hank Lancaster

  • The Beast Beneath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Mayor Reid

  • Big Freakin' Snake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Commissioner Lewis

  • Hell of the Screaming Undead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Governor Patrick Adams

  • Ash and Bone(2022)

    as Bartender Louie

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • 5 To Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Paul McCoy

  • Zombie Flesh Eaters 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Governor Hadley

  • Last American Horror Show: Volume II(2022)

    as Moses

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Paradise Motel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Raymond Taylor

  • Quakeasaurus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Roy Rollin

  • Doll Killer 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Dr. Krueger

  • Ebola Rex(2021)

    as General Davis

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Apex Predators(2021)

    as Robert Clouse Williamson

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Zombi VIII: Urban Decay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Governor Hadley

  • Rattlers 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Commissioner Lewis

  • Arachnado(2020)

    as Lieutenant Gallagher

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Tales for the Campfire 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Dr. Challis 'The Bitter Half'

  • Eternal Code(2019)

    as Mr. Pomeroy

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • RoboWoman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Dr. Michaels

  • Tales of Frankenstein(2018)

    as Dr. Mortality

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Syndicate Smasher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Milan

  • An Hour To Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Mr. Kinski

  • Nemesis 5: The New Model(2017)

    as Red Army Hammerhead Leader

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Toxic Tutu(2017)

    Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Holy Terror(2017)

    as Father Murphy

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Check Point(2017)

    as The Reverend

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance(2015)

    as Cutter

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Drifter TKD (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Thomas Tyler

  • GiAnts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Executive Producer · as Jonathan Caine

  • Big Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Larry Armstrong

  • Vampire Assassin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Associate Producer · as Gustoff Slovak

  • SWAT: Warhead One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Associate Producer · as Dick Danvers

  • Power Elite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Co-Executive Producer · as President Jonathan Caine

  • Moonbase(1997)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Pocket Ninjas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mr. Kaufman

  • Future War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Otis - SWAT Team

  • Dear God(1996)

    as Sidewalk Minister

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Direct Hit(1994)

    as Kovar

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Exit to Eden(1994)

    as Walker's Henchman

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Expert Weapon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Milier

  • Capital Punishment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mason Dover

  • Street Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Jesse Amos

  • Family Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Tom Andrews

  • Force of Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Conrad

  • Sword of Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Major Dirk St. Jones

  • An Eye for an Eye(1981)

    Associate Producer · as Tony Montoya

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Force: Five(1981)

    as The Assassin

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Lovely But Deadly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Warren Lang

  • Tom Horn(1980)

    as Corbett's Bodyguard

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • A Force of One(1979)

    as The Announcer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Tehran Incident(1979)

    as Mendoza

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Cat in the Cage(1978)

    as Ralph Desmond

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Game of Death(1978)

    as Stick

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Ultimate Warrior(1975)

    as Lippert

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Virginia Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Stick

  • Truck Turner(1974)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Black Belt Jones(1974)

    as Blue Eyes

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Love-Ins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Intern Smith

  • Ghosthouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Mel

  • RoboWoman 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Dr. Michaels

  • The Match-Stick Flame Prologue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Match-Stick

Career shape

Star power in the 83rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 67 titles, 63 of them dated from 1967 to 2026; peak year 1979.

Biggest box office

Black Belt Jones (1974)

$608 worldwide

Highest rated

Black Belt Jones (1974)

Midcredits 56th

Most popular right now

Game of Death (1978)

Film career

19672026

Peak 1979 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting66 of 67: 61 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score19thProducing6 of 67: 1 only producing, 5 with another role

67 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s8 · acting1980s7 · 7 acting · 1 crew1990s9 · acting2000s6 · 6 acting · 4 crew2010s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2020s22 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Mel Novak's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 17th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 4th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

4thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

23rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 27 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned4
  • Divisive6
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Ebola Rex (2021)

99th percentile spread · 70% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Truck Turner (1974)

Midcredits 78th · 65% liked

Reviewers score the acting 29/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 54, detractors 18. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mel Novak's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Mel Novak work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mel Novak's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Joseph Williamson shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles