John LaZar

John LaZar
Born (1946-05-22) May 22, 1946 (age 78)
OccupationActor

John LaZar (born May 22, 1946) is an American actor of both stage and screen, best remembered for his lead role as Ronnie 'Z-man' Barzell in the Russ Meyer film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), co-written by Meyer and Roger Ebert.[1]

LaZar grew up in San Francisco, California and is of Mediterranean and Native American heritage. He trained at the American Conservatory Theater and has studied acting with Uta Hagen.[citation needed] A veteran of many Shakespearean stage productions, Lazar is also a martial arts expert and fencer.[citation needed]

LaZar later appeared in Russ Meyer's Supervixens (1975) and Roger Corman's Deathstalker II (1987).