To the public, Karl Malden will always be remembered as the genteel Mitch from the 1951 hit film "A Streetcar Named Desire," but to his daughters he will remain that "magnificent, fantastic father" who saw his family as his greatest accomplishment.
Speaking to Closer Weekly, Carla and Mila Malden shared their favorite memories of their dad more than 10 years after his death.
"He was funny and caring and in a lot of ways he was like a big child himself," Carla, 66, said. "Children adored him, and he adored children."
Karl shot to fame following his appearance in "A Streetcar Named Desire," which earned him a supporting actor Oscar and solidified his career in show business. He remained in the spotlight until his death of natural causes in 2009 at age 97, but despite the fame he was a loyal father — even when work took him away from his family for extended periods of time.
When Karl was at home, he made sure the family spent quality time together. Rather than let work interfere in his relationship with his daughters, he included them in it. Landing a role in the 1962 musical "Gypsy" was the perfect opportunity to bond with his two girls.
"I remember my sister and I rehearsing all of his songs from 'Gypsy' with him after dinner every night," Mila, 72, said. "He was goofy, warm, and sweet."
Carla added that her father was "never cantankerous" and was always loving and grateful.
"He considered himself enormously fortunate, and he was always surrounded by family who adored him," she said. "He had a really magnificent life. It was beyond his wildest dreams."