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Posted on 07/01/2009 12:48:47 PM PDT by jazusamo
Malden starred in TV's 'The Streets of San Francisco' and made famous the American Express catchphrase 'Don't leave home without it.' He appeared in more than 50 films over his long career.
Karl Malden, one of Hollywood's strongest and most versatile supporting actors, who won an Oscar playing his Broadway-originated role as Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire," died today. He was 97.
Malden starred in the 1970s TV series "The Streets of San Francisco" and was the longtime American Express traveler's-check spokesman, warning travelers to not leave home without it. He died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, said his daughter Mila Doerner.
With his unglamorous mug -- he broke his bulbous nose twice playing sports as a teenager -- the former Indiana steel-mill worker realized early on the course his acting career would take.
"I was so incredibly lucky," Malden once told The Times. "I knew I wasn't a leading man. Take a look at this face." But, he vowed as a young man, he wasn't going to let his looks hamper his ambition to succeed as an actor.
In a movie career that flourished in the 1950s and '60s, Malden played a variety of roles in more than 50 films, including the sympathetic priest in "On the Waterfront," the resentful husband in "Baby Doll," the warden in "Birdman of Alcatraz," the outlaw-turned-sheriff in "One-Eyed Jacks," the pioneer patriarch in "How the West Was Won," Madame Rose's suitor in "Gypsy," the card dealerin "The Cincinnati Kid" and Gen. Omar Bradley in "Patton."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
He was a great actor.
Great actor and a good man. RIP and prayers for his family.
One of my favorite actors and I had no idea he was that old. RIP ...
97?
What a good long life.
R.I.P., sir!
I went to his bio and noticed that I never saw a single movie or tv show he did. However, God Bless you and Rest in Peace.
Goodbye Bubble Nose, you were a great actor. RIP
Wow!
RIP
I loved him in “The Streets of San Francisco” with a young Mike Douglas.
RIP, he was a wonderful actor.
Wow, 97, huh? Yep, he was a great actor, but I’ll never forget that nose of his, LOL. He did a few commercials, too, didn’t he?
I loved the guy...great actor.
Go ahead Dems get those votes in quick while Malden’s death clogs the airways....
On a side note. Are we startin the count over with him? Any calls on two and three?
You never saw "Patton"?
re: Travelers Cheques.. Wifey and I used ‘em on our trip recently. always do.
RIP Karl
How creepy is this. Malden is also a native of Gary, Indiana like you know. He also died 5 years to the day after Marlon Brando.
He played in a lot of very good movies with many different great actors.
One I enjoyed very much was Nevada Smith with Steve McQueen.
RIP
Another DAMN good actor gone.
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