In 2001, he received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Valparaiso University.
In high school he played basketball and was president of his class. He broke his nose twice playing sports as a teenager.
Long before Michael Douglas, worked with him, Malden's friendship with Douglas' father began in 1940, when a 23-year-old unfamiliar actor, Kirk Douglas, attended New York Summer Stock with him, prior to Kirk's summer vacation from college. This association led Kirk's son to having a co-starring role opposite Kirk's classmate in "The Streets of San Francisco" (1972), at the time Michael's father said to him that he was about to learn a lot from his father's classmate.
Member of the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1963
Of Serbian and Czechoslovakian descent.
On December 12, 2008, just six days before his 70th wedding anniversary, Malden was inducted into the Wall of Legends, at St. Sava Church in San Gabriel, California, where Milan Opacich paid tribute to a wonderful man who was a great benefactor of a Serbian Ortodox church.
On November 11, 2004, his ex-"The Streets of San Francisco" (1972), co-star, Michael Douglas, presented him with the Monte Cristo Award of the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Connecticut, for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Among the recipients besides Malden were Jason Robards, Zoe Caldwell, Edward Albee, August Wilson and Brian Dennehy.
On November 12, 2005, the Los Angeles Barrington Station renamed the building, after him, in Los Angeles, California, in honor of his proud achievements. This was followed by a passage of a bill founded by U.S. Congressman, Henry Waxman.
President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1989 to 1992
Raised in the same city as Michael Jackson.
Received both of his Oscar-nominations for movies also starring Marlon Brando.
Remained good friends with Michael Douglas, during and after "The Streets of San Francisco" (1972).
Served as a noncommissioned officer in the 8th Air Force.
Started acting when he was only 15.
The eldest of three sons born to Serbian immigrants Petar and Minnie Sekulovich, he was raised in the Serbian community of Gary, Indiana, where his father worked as a milkman.
The Maldens'married in 1938 and stayed married until his death in 2009, making theirs the third longest marriage in Hollywood history surpassing the 69 years of Bob Hope and Dolores Hope (1934 until his death in 2003) and just behind Norman Lloyd and Peggy Lloyd, who were married in 1936 and Art Linkletter and Lois Foerster (married 1935-2010) who hold the record with 74 years.
The most controversial film he starred in was Baby Doll (1956), which he played a dullard husband whose child bride is exploited by a businessman. The film was condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency for what was termed its "carnal suggestiveness." It was written by Tennessee Williams.
Was a close friend of The Magnificent Seven (1960) star Brad Dexter. who was also of Serbian descent.
Was a spokesperson for American Express Traveler's Checks, from 1968 to 1989.
Was also good friends with the late Telly Savalas.