Karl Malden, Actor: 1912 – 2009
I knew Karl Malden first as the guy from the American Express commercials in the 1970s, but he’ll probably always be best known as Lt. Mike Stone on TV’s The Streets of San Francisco which ran from 1972 – 1977. Of course he also won an Oscar as Mitch in Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire, a role he originated on stage, and he received another nomination when he worked with Kazan again in On the Waterfront.
Over the years, Malden had a long and distinguished career starring in such films as Fear Strikes Out, One-Eyed Jacks, Birdman of Alcatraz, The Cincinnati Kid and Patton.
He also served as president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences from 1989 – 1993.
Karl Malden died at his home on Wednesday at the age of 97.
Source: THR
Filed under: Obituaries
Tags: A Streetcar Named Desire, Birdman of Alcatraz, Fear Strikes Out, Karl Malden, One-Eyed Jacks, Patton, The Cincinnati Kid
:(
This is like the 5th or 6th death this week.
RIP, Mr. Malden. 97 – that’s amazing.
97……..now there is a ripe old age for sure. he was a beloved actor for sure, and whenever I discussed with friends who was still left of the greats, we always acknowledged that “Karl Malden” was still with us.
Unquestionably his two artistically finest performance (and most popular as well) were the two he delivered for Kazan–his Oscar winning turn in STREETCAR and his equally superb portrayal of the truth-seeking priest in ON THE WATERFRONT.
Yes, the Grim Reaper has been on the warpath this week. I really hope and pray he is done for awhile.
But at least we had this great actor for a long time.
R.I.P.
I had no idea he was still around, but I loved him in Streets of San Francisco. My Mom used to be a big Michael Douglas (pre-90’s Douglas) and we watched Streets of San Fran reruns religiously every night for a few years back in the 80’s.
But Malden was a great method actor, as supremely displayed in Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront for Kazan.
RIP Karl Malden. You will be missed.
Harve Presnell also died…you know, William H. Macy’s father-in-law Wade Gunderson in Fargo.
“Yeah, but it’s my deal, Wade”
:(
Also, the British actress Mollie Sugden died at 86. For those of you that watched Are You Being Served? she played Mrs Slocombe.
I’m aware of that show, but I don’t think I ever sat down to watch it.
Like Joel, I was a fan of Malden’s in Streets of San Francisco. And his distinctive appearance stood out for me in movies. As I got older I better appreciated what a fine character actor he was. He recently celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary, a fact that suggests his long life was likely a happy one. Can’t ask for much more.
Harve Presnell was as perfectly cast in Fargo as everyone else. I’ll always have a fondness for his work in the film.
“No money, no Jean!”