A great actor and from what this link says, a great man.
His role as Jim Piersall's (played by Anthony Perkins) father in "Fear Strikes Out", as well as numerous other character parts throughout his career ("A Streetcar Named Desire", "On The Waterfront", Omar Bradley in "Patton" come to mind) were all done excellently.
Rest in peace, Karl Malden, and thanks. You were one of the best. WC1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malden