Actor and Oscar winner Karl Malden dies
Thursday July 02 2009
Karl Malden, the bulbous-nosed star of the Streets of San Francisco, has died aged 97.
Malden died of natural causes, surrounded by his family at his Brentwood home, they told the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Academy president Sid Ganis said: "Karl lived a rich, full life. He has the greatest and most loving family; a career that has spanned the spectrum of the arts -- from theatre, to film and television, to some very famous commercial work."
While he tackled a variety of characters over the years, he was often seen in working-class garb or military uniform.
He was the son of a Czech mother and a Serbian father, and worked for a time in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, after dropping out of college.
Malden said he got his celebrated bulbous nose when he broke it a couple of times playing basketball or football, joking that he was "the only actor in Hollywood whose nose qualifies him for handicapped parking".
suitor
Malden won a best supporting actor Oscar in 1951 for his role as Blanche DuBois' naive suitor Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire.
He was nominated again as best supporting actor in 1954 for his performance as Father Corrigan in On The Waterfront.
His On The Waterfront co-star Eva Marie Saint said: "When you worked with him, he was the character. He loved acting. Whatever he did he enjoyed life."
Despite his distinguished movie career, his most famous role was as Lt Mike Stone in the 70s hit show The Streets of San Francisco. Michael Douglas got his first major break in showbiz playing his junior detective.
hnews@herald.ie
- Beth Harris
