I knew the day would come when I'd be sharing memories of my interviews and time spent with the one and only Karl Malden.

Like Bob Hope, Malden was a perfect example of just how nice a legend can be. (It feels odd, writing about him and using past tense verbs.)

Today, in a personal tribute, here are some of my favorite Malden moments and interview quotes from my previous stories and columns.

About his work with so many famous female costars:

"I was never a movie star. I was an actor who loved every minute of my work. I can't claim a lot of close friendships that came from working with the ladies of the screen. When I worked with Bette Davis (in 1964's suspenseful "Dead Ringer"), it was later in her career and she wasn't all that happy. She never really associated with anyone on the set. She stayed to herself.

"And when I was still under contract at Warner Bros., they cast me as Claudette Colbert's love interest (in the 1961 film 'Parrish' also starring Troy Donahue and Connie Stevens), which didn't make her happy because she expected more of what she considered a leading-man type. But at the time, I was the only actor also under contract who was around her same age who could do the role.

On his favorite female costar: "Hands down, that's Roz (Rosalind) Russell. She was always so much fun and so nice. And she was that way the moment we met on the set of 'Gypsy.' I asked to be in that film. Roz was great and we stayed friends right until she passed on [1976]. When we were doing 'Gypsy,' I say: 'I'm going to sing this part better than you!' And she'd say: 'Oh no you're not!' "

On his favorite male costar: "(Marlon) Brando was the best. I know he was wacky, but he was a genius. He and I talked by phone just about every other day right up until he died. I know he was eccentric. But as an actor and a creative mind, no one else compared. He knew he was kooky. He was who he was. He didn't care what people thought."

On when he thought he'd reached star status: "When I got to act with Gary Cooper in 'The Hanging Tree' (1959), I knew my parents were going to be proud."

On the last good movie he's seen: "I don't go to the movies. There's nothing I want to see. My wife will go out with friends to see a movie now and then, but there's nothing I want to see."

On his health: "I feel pretty good most days. I have a nurse that's here in the house to help out in case I need anything. And, like anyone, I have good days and bad days. But mostly, I'm feeling OK."

And a few extra Malden matters...

* In 2004, Malden was the 40th recipient to accept the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. He accepted the award from Michael Douglas, his costar from "The Streets of San Francisco." The series aired on ABC from 1972 to 1977.

* Malden also earned an Oscar nomination for "On the Waterfront" (1954) and starred in numerous other classics including "Baby Doll" (1956), "One-Eyed Jacks" (1961), "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965), "How the West Was Won" (1962) and "Nuts" (1987).

*Of his 50-plus movies, Malden said he received the most fan mail about his 1957 film with Anthony Perkins, "Fear Strikes Out," about Red Sox outfielder Jimmy Piersall. Piersall played 17 seasons in the majors -- with a lifetime batting average of .272 -- while battling mental illness.

* As pitchman on TV for American Express, Malden made the phrase "Don't leave home without it" a part of American culture. Malden said he had no idea his one-year contract would lead to 22 years endorsing the same company.

* In addition to his success as an entertainer, Malden provided leadership to numerous professional organizations and was a benefactor of a variety of charitable groups.

* He served three terms as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and as a member of the Academy's Board of Governors for nine years.

* He also served on the Board of the Screen Actors Guild for six years. He helped raise $12 million to consolidate the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library.

* He contributed to organizations ranging from the Crossroads School of Arts and Sciences and the Motion Picture and Television Country Home in California to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville.

* While president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1989 to 1993, Malden is credited with rejuvenating both a "tired Academy" and "lackluster Oscar's telecast," according to Anthony Holden's 1992 book, "Behind the Oscar" (Simon & Schuster).

"Everyone is always giving me credit for the changes in the Oscars telecast, but I say the credit should go to Gilbert Cates, the producer who pitched the ideas to me," Malden said.

"The best thing we did that first year was when we decided to invest the money to send the show to be broadcast around the world via satellite. It was a big expense and a gamble, but it paid off. Today, it's the standard."

* Malden's daughter Carla collaborated on his 1997 memoirs "When Do I Start?" (Simon&Schuster $25).

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.

Today's Celebrity Birthdays

Movie director Ken Russell is 82. Jazz great Peter Fountain ("Lawrence Welk Show") is 79. TV executive Jay Tarses (ABC) is 70. Singer Fontella Bass is 69. Actor Kurtwood Smith ("That 70s Show") and former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett are 66. Actor Michael Cole ("The Mod Squad") is 64. Country singer Johnny Lee is 63. Writer Dave Barry and actress Betty Buckley are 62. Guitarist-singer Paul Barrere of Little Feat is 61. Actress Jan Smithers ("WKRP In Cincinnati") is 60. Talk show host Montel Williams is 53. Star witness-turned-centerfold Faye Resnick (friend of Nicole Brown Simpson) is 52. Country singer Aaron Tippin is 51. Synthesizer player Vince Clarke of Erasure is 49. Actors Tom Cruise and Thomas Gibson ("Dharma and Greg") and actress Hunter Tylo are 47. Actress Connie Nielsen ("Gladiator") and actress Yeardley Smith

("The Simpsons") are 45. Keyboardist-guitarist Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies is 40. Actress Shawnee Smith ("Saw I, II and III") is 39. Actress Andrea Barber (Kimmy on "Full House") is 33. Singer Tonia Tash of Divine is 30. Actor Grant Rosenmeyer ("Oliver Beene") is 18.