Pensecola, Fla. — Actor Robert Z’Dar, the massive man with the gigantic chin best known for the cult film series “Maniac Cop,” died here March 30 after being hospitalized when he came to town to appear at a convention. He was 64.
MSTies fondly remember his performances as the Angel of Death in the movie in episode 1001- SOULTAKER and the Cyborg Master in the movie in episode 1004- FUTURE WAR.
Thanks to Paul and Kathleen for the heads up.
Saw this floating around Facebook and was hoping it wasn’t true. Loved his Maniac Cop movies and of course he is in two of my favorite MST3K’s. RIP Robert…
Oh, z’no! This is sad news. R.I.P.
The saddest part is that he was just about to film for Samurai Cop 2. If you haven’t seen the first one, seek it out immediately. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Rifftrax got around to it sooner than later because it’s gloriously awful.
Z’Damn
Oh man, he was cherished.
R.I.P. Any MSTie who hasn’t seen SAMURAI COP, THE NIGHT STALKER and the MANIAC COP films needs to. Gloriously awesome stuff right there.
That’s too bad. Actually an intriguing fixture in MST3K experiments.
Sad to hear this..RIP big guy.
RIP. I read he was so nice to fans et al., despite his “bad guy” persona.
Sad to hear.
(Was Joe Estevez seen sneaking away with a glowing shower ring?)
Did he ever comment on MST3K?
R.I.P Mr.Z’Dar. I just watched Maniac Cop on St Patrick’s it’s one of my favorite 1980’s slasher movies. Time now to listen to the Maniac Cop 2 rap.
Oh, dear, that’s sad hearing.
He will be missed. R.I.P. :(
Z’RIP, sir. May your soul-ring glow forever bright.
Sad news. RIP Robert. Your memorable face will be missed…..
From that obit:
“Decker mentioned that prior to his acting career, Z’Dar played football for Arizona State University, was in a band called Nova Express and spent time as a Chippendale’s dancer.”
Saaaay…
That is sad news. He made each character he played very interesting and memorable. RIP.
Rest in Z’peace.
Rest in peace. And may a choir of Father Dudes rock thee to thy rest.
This world was never meant for one as chin-derful as you.
I was going to feel tacky about saying “Oh, Z’no!” but I see #2 Torgo’s Pajamas has already gone there, so now I don’t feel so bad.
Oh Z’no!
He had a small part in Troll 1 I believe, for an effects shot of Sonny Bono becoming a troll. Glad he embraced his fame with MST3K instead of what Joe Don does.
Chippendale dancer?! what a life. but 64 is too young. I wish too that he’d been able to finish the movie he was about to do.
@23 Sixty-four is too young to be Chippendale dancer? Oh, wait I see… never mind.
Oh man, that is terrible news. So sad when someone dies so early. You have to be a real churl not to get a kick out of almost any of his performances in the many, many movies he appeared in. You will be missed, Mr. Zdarsky.
Dang.
Fare thee well on the next part of your journey sir.
He always had time for fans, it seemed; he was such a prolific actor, even if in B-movies. Z’dammit.
Oh no!
First Leonard Nemoy, now this.
I’m so sad right now.
Goodnight, sweet prince.
I’m friends with some folks that worked with Mr. Z’Dar (and Joe Estevez) on a SUPER low budget movie titled “Scary Tales: The Return of Mr. Longfellow” that makes anything MST3K riffed look like Citizen Kane in comparison (even Manos).
Mr. Z’Dar was basically working on a no-budget movie with a bunch of amateurs and film students in their early 20s (kids basically), and could have been a prima donna about it. But he wasn’t. My friend said Mr. Z’Dar was a total professional and a friendly, down-to-earth guy. Rest in peace big fella.
My favorite Z’dar based riff… “Jeez, that guy has a small face.”
loved him in Tango and Cash.he will be missed :-(
My first exposure to him was not in either of his MSTed movies, or in the Maniac Cop series. It was in Return to Frogtown, the “Sequel” (and I use that term loosely) to the Roddy Piper/Sandahl Bergman classic, Hell Comes to Frogtown, with Mr Z’Dar taking over for Rowdy Roddy.
@24. there’s horny elderly OUT there… there is! lol
I am his nephew and was notified of his passing and that nothing would be done, maybe I was not as close in the last 10 years as I would have liked, but I will be so upset if he doesn’t at least get buried with his family. If you would like to help him see a proper burial please feel free to donate – http://www.gofundme.com/robertzdar
Oh Zno!
Z’darn it.
I met Z many years ago at a convention and became a friend of his. I talked with him on the phone many times and even sent him some copies of movies he didn’t have anymore. I asked him about how he felt about MST and with a big laugh said “I loved it, they need to bring it back. You have to be able to make fun of yourself”. He was a great person, ultra friendly, and really caring about his fans. He told me some hilarious stores about a Ninja Kids movie (can’t remember the name) where the kids beat the hell out of him haha. He was also incredibly generous to my friend who also befriended him at the same convention. Z was suffering from cancer and my friend had a heart attack and needed to have 5 bypasses done. Z was also in the hospital at this time and when he talked to my friend who was about to have his open heart surgery, Z sent him a card with his favorite prayer on it and a note saying everything will be ok. He will be greatly missed. RIP Z, until we meet again.
“He always had time for fans, it seemed…”
” I read he was so nice to fans et al., despite his “bad guy” persona.”
“My friend said Mr. Z’Dar was a total professional and a friendly, down-to-earth guy.”
“He was a great person, ultra friendly, and really caring about his fans.”
“He was also incredibly generous to my friend…”
Hmmmm……….just in these few comments, I’m noticing a definite pattern in the nice things those who came across him had to say about this gentle giant.
Would that we all might have similar things said about each of us upon our exit, stage left, for that final time….. :weep: