Karl Malden Gone at 97

Veteran Hollywood actor Karl Malden, 97, an Academy Award winner and died on Wednesday of natural causes.

"Karl lived a rich, full life," said Academy of Arts and Motion Pictures president Sid Ganis. "He has the greatest and most loving family, [and] a career that has spanned the spectrum of the arts from theatre to film and television, to some very famous commercial work."

Malden won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1951 for his role as 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. In both films, he co-starred with Marlon Brando. He was also president of the academy from 1989 to 1992.

He is known best for his fabulously bulbous nose. Malden said his trademark feature came about when he broke it a few times playing basketball or football. He joked he was the only actor in Hollywood "whose nose qualifies him for handicapped parking.”

For many years Malden was also the commercial face of American Express, famously exhorting the public in TV ads: "Don't leave home without it."

Malden is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mona, and daughters Mila and Cara.

Another great celebrity passes. This is turning out to be a very somber summer in Hollywood.

RIP

—Philippa Bourke / Splash News