Karl Malden, Academy Award winning actor and voice of American Express ads, dead at age 97Oscar winner Karl Malden, renowned for his brilliant performances in the film classics "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "On The Waterfront," died early Wednesday in his California home.
He was 97. Malden - born Karl Sekulovich - died of natural causes, surrounded by his family. His health was failing in recent years.
The actor with the famously bulbous nose took home the Academy Award for his role as naive suitor Mitch in the 1951 film version of the Tennessee Williams' classic.
He originally played the part on Broadway.
Malden starred opposite Marlon Brando in "Streetcar."
Three years later, he played a priest - again opposite Brando - in the unforgettable "On The Waterfront." The role earned him another Oscar nomination. Malden's more than 50 movie roles included parts in "Patton," "Fear Strikes Out" and "The Sting II."
Decades after his initial movie success, he became known to a new generation of television viewers as Det. Mike Stone in "The Streets of San Francisco," paired this time with a young actor named Michael Douglas.
As his acting career wound down, Malden emerged as a spokesman for American Express. During his two decades as pitchman, his voice became as familiar as his oft-repeated catchphrase: "Don't leave home without it."
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