LOS ANGELES (July 1, 2009)--The family of Karl Malden says the actor who won an Oscar for his role in "A Streetcar Named Desire" has died at 97.

Malden's family informed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences of his death on Wednesday.

Malden served as the academy's president from 1989-92.

He made his screen debut in the 1940 movie "They Knew What They Wanted," and was praised for his role as Mitch in the 1951 classic "A Streetcar Named Desire."

His greatest fame came as Detective Mike Stone in the 1970s TV series "The Streets of San Francisco," in which he co-starred with Michael Douglas.

Malden also was a pitchman for American Express in a series of commercials airing over a period of 21 years.