American Actor and Producer. Z'Dar will perhaps best remembered for his role as Matt Cordell in the cult horror film, 'Maniac Cop' (1988) and its two sequels. Born Robert J. Zdarsky, he had cherubism, a medical condition resulting in an enlarged jawline, which aided his career as he usually portrayed villains. He first started acting while in high school, then attended Arizona State University where he received a BFA. After graduation, he returned to Chicago, and for a time was employed as a police officer before he decided to pursue a career in acting. In 1984, he appeared in his first feature film, 'Code Name Zebra'. The 6-foot-2 actor would go on to appear in more than 100 films, including 'The Night Stalker' (1987), Tango & Cash' (1989), 'Soultaker' (1990), 'Samurai Cop' (1991), 'The Devil's Pet' (1994), 'Hollywood Cops' (1997), 'The Thief and the Stripper' (2000), 'Body Shop' (2002), 'Voices From the Graves' (2006), 'Not Another B Movie' (2010), 'Rogue Assassin' (2012) and 'A Blood Story' (2015). He produced or co-produced 7 films, including 'The Rockville Slayer' (2004) and 'Untitled Horror Comedy' (2009). He also appeared in several television shows, such as 'Moonlighting', 'Growing Pains', 'The Flash' and 'Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction'. Z'Dar, who was hospitalized for chest pains while attending Pensacon, appeared to be getting better until he went into cardiac arrest and died.
American Actor and Producer. Z'Dar will perhaps best remembered for his role as Matt Cordell in the cult horror film, 'Maniac Cop' (1988) and its two sequels. Born Robert J. Zdarsky, he had cherubism, a medical condition resulting in an enlarged jawline, which aided his career as he usually portrayed villains. He first started acting while in high school, then attended Arizona State University where he received a BFA. After graduation, he returned to Chicago, and for a time was employed as a police officer before he decided to pursue a career in acting. In 1984, he appeared in his first feature film, 'Code Name Zebra'. The 6-foot-2 actor would go on to appear in more than 100 films, including 'The Night Stalker' (1987), Tango & Cash' (1989), 'Soultaker' (1990), 'Samurai Cop' (1991), 'The Devil's Pet' (1994), 'Hollywood Cops' (1997), 'The Thief and the Stripper' (2000), 'Body Shop' (2002), 'Voices From the Graves' (2006), 'Not Another B Movie' (2010), 'Rogue Assassin' (2012) and 'A Blood Story' (2015). He produced or co-produced 7 films, including 'The Rockville Slayer' (2004) and 'Untitled Horror Comedy' (2009). He also appeared in several television shows, such as 'Moonlighting', 'Growing Pains', 'The Flash' and 'Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction'. Z'Dar, who was hospitalized for chest pains while attending Pensacon, appeared to be getting better until he went into cardiac arrest and died.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
