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RIP Robert Z’dar

Zdar 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.

Here’s an obit.

Thanks to Paul and Kathleen for the heads up.

38 Replies to “RIP Robert Z’dar”

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  1. Iced Chicken says:

    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…

       10 likes

  2. Torgo's Pajamas says:

    Oh, z’no! This is sad news. R.I.P.

       21 likes

  3. Doug Glassman says:

    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.

       7 likes

  4. Graboidz says:

    Z’Damn

       4 likes

  5. Jason says:

    Oh man, he was cherished.

       2 likes

  6. Travis H says:

    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.

       4 likes

  7. gorto says:

    That’s too bad. Actually an intriguing fixture in MST3K experiments.

       2 likes

  8. Professor Firefly says:

    Sad to hear this..RIP big guy.

       4 likes

  9. MSTie says:

    RIP. I read he was so nice to fans et al., despite his “bad guy” persona.

       6 likes

  10. RedZoneTuba says:

    Sad to hear.

    (Was Joe Estevez seen sneaking away with a glowing shower ring?)

       12 likes

  11. Did he ever comment on MST3K?

       1 likes

  12. Murdock Hauser says:

    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.

       3 likes

  13. Joseph Nebus says:

    Oh, dear, that’s sad hearing.

       0 likes

  14. MikeK says:

    He will be missed. R.I.P. :(

       2 likes

  15. snowdog says:

    Z’RIP, sir. May your soul-ring glow forever bright.

       6 likes

  16. Huggybear says:

    Sad news. RIP Robert. Your memorable face will be missed…..

       2 likes

  17. Hollyhox says:

    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…

       4 likes

  18. Erich says:

    That is sad news. He made each character he played very interesting and memorable. RIP.

       2 likes

  19. Dr. Batch says:

    Rest in Z’peace.

       1 likes

  20. IAmDrMonkey says:

    Rest in peace. And may a choir of Father Dudes rock thee to thy rest.

       2 likes

  21. majorjoe23 says:

    This world was never meant for one as chin-derful as you.

       1 likes

  22. Lisa H. says:

    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!

       2 likes

  23. radioman970 says:

    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.

       1 likes

  24. snowdog says:

    @23 Sixty-four is too young to be Chippendale dancer? Oh, wait I see… never mind.

       4 likes

  25. schippers says:

    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.

       1 likes

  26. Zaatman says:

    Dang.

    Fare thee well on the next part of your journey sir.

       2 likes

  27. Garza says:

    He always had time for fans, it seemed; he was such a prolific actor, even if in B-movies. Z’dammit.

       1 likes

  28. VeryDisturbing says:

    Oh no!
    First Leonard Nemoy, now this.
    I’m so sad right now.

    Goodnight, sweet prince.

       2 likes

  29. Eric says:

    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.

       3 likes

  30. Dr. Batch says:

    My favorite Z’dar based riff… “Jeez, that guy has a small face.”

       6 likes

  31. BIG G BURGER says:

    loved him in Tango and Cash.he will be missed :-(

       2 likes

  32. PrezGAR says:

    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.

       3 likes

  33. radioman970 says:

    @24. there’s horny elderly OUT there… there is! lol

       0 likes

  34. 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

       1 likes

  35. Why says:

    Oh Zno!

       0 likes

  36. Cornjob says:

    Z’darn it.

       0 likes

  37. ashkenaz says:

    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.

       5 likes

  38. SAVE FERRIS says:



    “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:

       2 likes

Comments are closed.