---
name: "Karl Malden"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/karl-malden"
fi1m_id: "karl-malden"
imdb_id: "nm0001500"
tmdb_id: 9857
wikidata_id: "Q94992"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 March 1912"
died: "1 July 2009"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 81
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-26T14:19:40.370254+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Karl Malden

## Identity

Karl Malden

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/karl-malden
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** karl-malden
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001500
- **TMDB ID:** 9857
- **Wikidata ID:** Q94992
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malden, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q94992, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001500/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9857

Actor. Born 22 March 1912 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Died 1 July 2009.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 March 1912, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Died:** 1 July 2009
- **Active:** 1951–1999
- **Also known as:** Mladen George Sekulovich, Malden Sekulovich, Младен Секуловић, Mladen Sekulović, Карл Молден, Карл Малден, Младен Ђорђе Секуловић
- **Frequently works with:** [Marlon Brando](https://film.one/person/marlon-brando.md), [Elia Kazan](https://film.one/person/elia-kazan.md), [Lee J. Cobb](https://film.one/person/lee-j-cobb.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 88 (2), 1960s 70 (2), 1970s 82 (1), 1990s 86 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 77 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Western 2, Crime 1, History 1, Romance 1, Thriller 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $112m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malden, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q94992, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001500/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9857

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*On the Waterfront*](https://film.one/film/on-the-waterfront.md) (89), [*Patton*](https://film.one/film/patton.md) (82), [*One-Eyed Jacks*](https://film.one/film/one-eyed-jacks.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*A Streetcar Named Desire*](https://film.one/film/a-streetcar-named-desire.md) (88)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Karl Malden

> Karl Malden makes earnestness worth listening to. We value the urgency he brings to men trying to do right, though *On the Waterfront* shows how a script can keep preaching after the acting has made the point.

Listen to Karl Malden's Father Barry in *On the Waterfront* (1954): he makes an exhortation sound as though it cannot wait. As the priest in Elia Kazan's film, he speaks with a conviction that makes the moral instruction difficult to dismiss. We were stirred by that urgency, even as the religious emphasis began to press harder than the performances required. There is nothing apologetic about the earnestness, and that is much of what we value in him.

The breakthrough was Mitch in *A Streetcar Named Desire*, first on stage in 1947 and then on screen in 1951. Supporting parts dominated the following two decades, often in Kazan's company, but sincerity did not confine Malden to agreeable men. His Archie Lee Meighan in *Baby Doll* (1956), his last film with Kazan, offered a frustrated character and a rare leading role. That is a useful corrective to remembering him only as the decent man brought in to steady a more magnetic star.

The trouble in *On the Waterfront* is that Schulberg's writing keeps insisting on a point the actors have made. Brando has already made us care about the dockside struggle; Malden has the harder job of putting its moral demands into words. Leonard Bernstein's music gives that struggle scale, though it too sometimes adds more emotional emphasis than the acting needs. We recommend the film warmly for its performances, but even Malden's conviction cannot make all that Christian symbolism feel necessary.

Later, he played General Omar N. Bradley in *Patton* (1970), before taking the television lead as Lieutenant Mike Stone opposite Michael Douglas in *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972–77). The television role put an actor long associated with supporting parts at the centre of a series. Priests, generals and policemen might suggest a narrow set of jobs, but his sincerity could accommodate inner conflict as well as certainty. Start with *On the Waterfront* for the acting, and allow for a little more instruction than we think necessary.

## Biography

Karl Malden was an American actor. Born Mladen George Sekulovich in Chicago on 22 March 1912, he began his career on the New York stage in the 1940s, appearing in productions including Arthur Miller's All My Sons and Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire.

Malden received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Harold Mitchell in the 1951 film version of A Streetcar Named Desire. He was nominated for the same award for his performance as Father Barry in On the Waterfront (1954). Other notable film roles include General Omar N. Bradley in Patton (1970) and parts in One-Eyed Jacks (1961), Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) and How the West Was Won (1962).

From 1972 to 1977 he played Lt. Mike Stone in the television series The Streets of San Francisco. He served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1989 to 1992 and appeared in American Express advertising campaigns.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, nytimes.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *The West Wing* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Father Thomas Cavanaugh — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Patton* (1970), Fi1m 82, as General Omar N. Bradley — [page](https://film.one/film/patton.md)
- *How the West Was Won* (1962), Fi1m 62, as Zebulon Prescott — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md)
- *One-Eyed Jacks* (1961), Fi1m 78, as Sheriff Dad Longworth — [page](https://film.one/film/one-eyed-jacks.md)
- *On the Waterfront* (1954), Fi1m 89, as Father Barry — [page](https://film.one/film/on-the-waterfront.md)
- *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1951), Fi1m 88, as Harold Mitchell — [page](https://film.one/film/a-streetcar-named-desire.md)

## Complete filmography (75)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Green Fog* (2018), Actor
- *The Streets of the Invisibles* (2011), as Mike Stone (voice) (archival)
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Father Thomas Cavanaugh — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *The Lionhearts* (1998), series, as (voice)
- *Vanished Without a Trace* (1993), as Ed Ray
- *Earth and the American Dream* (1992), as Reader (voice)
- *Back to the Streets of San Francisco* (1992), as Mike Stone
- *Absolute Strangers* (1991), as Fred Zusselman
- *Call Me Anna* (1990), as Doctor Harold Arlen
- *The Hijacking of the Achille Lauro* (1989), as Leon Klinghoffer
- *My Father, My Son* (1988), as Elmo Zumwalt Jr.
- *Nuts* (1987), as Arthur Kirk
- *Billy Galvin* (1986), Actor
- *Alice in Wonderland* (1985), series, as Walrus
- *Fatal Vision* (1984), series, as Freddy Kassab
- *With Intent to Kill* (1984), as Thomas E. Nolan
- *The Sting II* (1983), as Gus Macalinski
- *Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady* (1982), Actor
- *Twilight Time* (1982), as Marko Sekulović
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Jack Galvin
- *Miracle on Ice* (1981), as Herb Brooks
- *Word of Honor* (1981), as Mike McNeill
- *Skag* (1980), series, Actor
- *Skag* (1980), as Pete 'Skag'  Skagska
- *Meteor* (1979), as Harry Sherwood
- *Beyond the Poseidon Adventure* (1979), as Wilbur Hubbard
- *Captains Courageous* (1977), as Disko Troop
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, as Mike Stone
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), as Detective Lieutenant Michael Stone
- *Summertime Killer* (1972), as Captain John Kiley
- *Wild Rovers* (1971), as Walter Buckman
- *The Cat o' Nine Tails* (1971), as Franco Arnò
- *Patton* (1970), as General Omar N. Bradley — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/patton.md)
- *Hot Millions* (1968), as Carlton J. Klemper
- *Blue* (1968), as Doc Morton
- *Billion Dollar Brain* (1967), as Leo Newbigen
- *The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin* (1967), as Judge Higgins
- *Hotel* (1967), as Keycase Milne
- *Murderers' Row* (1966), as Julian Wall
- *Nevada Smith* (1966), as Tom Fitch
- *The Cincinnati Kid* (1965), as Shooter
- *Cheyenne Autumn* (1964), as Capt. Wessels
- *Dead Ringer* (1964), as Sergeant Jim Hobbson
- *Come Fly with Me* (1963), as Walter Lucas
- *How the West Was Won* (1962), as Zebulon Prescott — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md)
- *Gypsy* (1962), as Herbie Sommers
- *Birdman of Alcatraz* (1962), as Harvey Shoemaker
- *All Fall Down* (1962), as Ralph Willart
- *Parrish* (1961), as Judd Raike
- *One-Eyed Jacks* (1961), as Sheriff Dad Longworth — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/one-eyed-jacks.md)
- *The Great Impostor* (1960), as Father Devlin
- *Pollyanna* (1960), as Reverend Paul Ford
- *The Hanging Tree* (1959), as Frenchy Plante
- *Bombers B-52* (1957), as MSgt. Chuck V. Brennan
- *Time Limit* (1957), as Prisoner of War (uncredited) · Director
- *Fear Strikes Out* (1957), as John Piersall
- *Baby Doll* (1956), as Archie Lee Meighan
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Reverend Ford
- *On the Waterfront* (1954), as Father Barry — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/on-the-waterfront.md)
- *Phantom of the Rue Morgue* (1954), as Dr. Marais
- *Take the High Ground!* (1953), as Sgt. Laverne Holt
- *I Confess* (1953), as Inspector Larrue
- *Ruby Gentry* (1952), as Jim Gentry
- *Operation Secret* (1952), as Maj. Latrec
- *Diplomatic Courier* (1952), as Sgt. Ernie Guelvada
- *The Sellout* (1952), as Capt. Buck Maxwell
- *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1951), as Harold Mitchell — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/a-streetcar-named-desire.md)
- *Halls of Montezuma* (1951), as C.E. "Doc" Jones
- *Where the Sidewalk Ends* (1950), as Det. Lt. Thomas
- *The Gunfighter* (1950), as Mac
- *Kiss of Death* (1947), as Sgt. William Cullen
- *Boomerang!* (1947), as Det. Lt. White  (uncredited)
- *13 Rue Madeleine* (1947), as Jump Master (uncredited)
- *Winged Victory* (1944), as Adams
- *They Knew What They Wanted* (1940), as Red

## Gallery

- ![Colonial Theater advertisement for the American musical film Gypsy (1962) - 28 Dec. 1962 Morning Call, Allentown PA](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-24c29a530da6.jpg) Colonial Theater advertisement for the American musical film Gypsy (1962) - 28 Dec. 1962 Morning Call, Allentown PA — Company shown on advertisement, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/1962_-_Colonial_Theater_Ad_-_28_Dec_MC_-_Allentown_PA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Theatre advertisement for the film, Baby Doll , 11 December, 1956.](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-aaaf2dc42702.jpg) Theatre advertisement for the film, Baby Doll , 11 December, 1956. — Warner Bros., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Baby_Doll_ad_-_11_December_1956.jpg/1280px-Baby_Doll_ad_-_11_December_1956.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![From left to right: Bette Davis, George Sanders, Karl Malden, Greer Garson & Humphrey Bogart during at the 24th Oscars (1952).](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-c1b2aa5b4d1d.jpg) From left to right: Bette Davis, George Sanders, Karl Malden, Greer Garson & Humphrey Bogart during at the 24th Oscars (1952). — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Davis%2C_Sanders%2C_Malden%2C_Garson%2C_Bogart_Academy_Awards_1952.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Karl Malden (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-3a54051323da.jpg) Karl Malden (2019) — Milas123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/KarlMalden.jpg/1280px-KarlMalden.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Karl Malden](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-e836be919c49.jpg) Karl Malden — Image via TMDB
- ![Karl Malden](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-0f6801b99b3f.jpg) Karl Malden — Image via TMDB
- ![Karl Malden](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-2c020279ddd7.jpg) Karl Malden — Image via TMDB
- ![Karl Malden's grave at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Brentwood, California. Taken December 2011.](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-8c4bede302f8.jpg) Karl Malden's grave at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Brentwood, California. Taken December 2011. — Meribona, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Karl_Malden%27s_grave_at_Westwood_Village_Memorial_Park_Cemetery_in_Brentwood%2C_California_-_December_2011.jpg/1280px-Karl_Malden%27s_grave_at_Westwood_Village_Memorial_Park_Cemetery_in_Brentwood%2C_California_-_December_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Autographed publicity photo of Karl Malden](https://film.one/media/person/59319/gallery-3b143e5c0d69.jpg) Autographed publicity photo of Karl Malden — Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Karl_Malden_-_autographed.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 1955: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *On the Waterfront*
- 1952: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *A Streetcar Named Desire*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1985: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Fatal Vision*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/karl-malden