Mel Novak, the Hollywood actor best known for his starring role in Bruce Lee‘s classic “Game of Death,” has died, his daughter Nikol Conant tells TMZ.

Novak died Wednesday morning at a SoCal board and care facility of natural causes, Nikol told us.

The iconic actor whose career spanned decades in Hollywood suffered numerous injures during his time in the biz … ’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, Nikol says.

Novak was usually cast as the classic villain in most of his films … and he has dozens of credits under his belt.

Novak is survived by his daughters, Nikol and Lea; ex-wife Vera Novak; and grandchildren.

He was 90.

It’s lights, camera, action for the “Vanderpump Rules” reboot … and Lisa Vanderpump is the first one being filmed.

Season 12 of the Bravo show began filming Wednesday in West Hollywood … with camera crews on hand at Lisa’s famous restaurant, SUR, to record her pulling up to work.

As you can see, Lisa is being watched like a hawk as she gets out of her blacked out Bentley and goes into SUR … the textbook definition of B-roll.

Production sources tell TMZ … the rest of the cast is going to begin filming later tonight, they’re gathering at SUR for their first scene together.

As we first told you … the new season has a whole new cast, but ‘VPR’ is sticking with its tried and true formula … taking viewers inside the hookups, feuds and drama surrounding Lisa’s restaurant.

We also got Lisa between takes … and she told us why she is good with ‘VPR’ and has no interest in going back to ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.’

So much for Wendy Williams‘ guardian insisting Wendy is allowed to leave the confines of her assisted living facility to visit with family, because the guardian just torpedoed a night out with Wendy’s niece … according to sources with direct knowledge.

Wendy planned a night out with her niece, Alex Finnie and her new personal lawyer, famed attorney Joe Tacopina. They were going to have dinner at a New York City restaurant … that is, until Wendy’s guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, put the kibosh on Wendy leaving the 5th floor of the facility, which Wendy calls “a luxury prison.”

Interesting … since the lawyer for Morrissey recently sent TMZ a letter, insisting Wendy was not being kept from her family and she could see them whenever she wanted. Well, it seems clear that’s not the case.

It’s unclear why Wendy was denied the right to dine with Alex and Joe, but it may have something to do with Wendy’s strong desire to end the guardianship. Our sources say if the judge doesn’t end the guardianship soon, Wendy will demand a jury trial and Joe will be her trial lawyer. That would put Joe squarely in opposition to the guardian.

As you know, Joe is a formidable force in a courtroom, most recently scoring a stunning win in the A$AP Rocky trial.