Karl Malden – Hollywood Legend and Yugoslav Pride!
Did you know that Karl Malden, a Hollywood icon, was the first Yugoslav to win an Oscar? Born as Mladen Đorđe Sekulović in Chicago, this actor of Serbian descent from Herzegovina and Czech roots didn’t just change his name for his career – he proudly carried his heritage throughout his life!
From Chicago to Hollywood – The Road to Fame Malden grew up in the Serbian community in Indiana, speaking Serbian and attending school. After working in a steel mill, he enrolled in the prestigious Goodman Theatre School in Chicago, then moved to New York where he began his stage career. He collaborated with legendary director Elia Kazan on Broadway, starring in plays like “All My Sons” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Oscar for Best Supporting Actor In 1951, he won the Oscar for his role as Mitch in the film adaptation of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” But that was just the beginning – throughout his career, he had significant roles in films like “On the Waterfront,” “Patton,” “Birdman of Alcatraz,” and “The Cat o’ Nine Tails.” On TV, he gained fame in the series “The Streets of San Francisco,” acting alongside Michael Douglas.
Proud of His Roots Though he changed his name for his career, Malden often used his real surname Sekulović for minor roles in films as a tribute to his true identity. In 1990, he starred in the film “The Twilight” directed by Goran Paskaljević, acting alongside Pavle Vuisić, who described him as an actor who doesn’t create but births characters.
A Legacy That Lasts Karl Malden served as president of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and received a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild in 1996. His name is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in Belgrade, a monument was erected in front of the Yugoslav Film Archive in his honor, symbolizing the connection between his American success and Serbian roots.
He passed away in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, leaving behind a bridge between two cultures and a pride he carried in his heart.
Did you know about this Hollywood legend from our lands? If not, now’s the time to be proud! And if you did, share in the comments which of his roles is your favorite – maybe the one from “A Streetcar Named Desire”? Don’t be shy, let’s chat and remember this giant!
