US actor Karl Malden, best known for his roles in films such as A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront, has died at the age of 97.

He was also famous for playing Lt Mike Stone in the long-running TV series, The Streets of San Francisco.

Malden won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1951, for his performance in A Streetcar Named Desire, and was nominated again in 1954.

Malden, who died at home, had been in poor health for several years.

His family said he had died of natural causes.

Early on in his career, Malden said he realised that his average looks and distinctive nose - twice broken on the sports field - were unlikely to make him a leading man.

Many of his more memorable performances came in supporting roles.

BBC News


I remember, as a kid, watching him in SoSF on TV having no idea of his previous film career until I saw a 'horror' film, Phantom of the Rue Morgue.

Then I saw the likes of Streetcar, Waterfront, Hotel, Billion Dollar Brain, etc., and realised he was much more than a TV hack.

RIP Mladen George Sekulovich.