Malden to receive theatre honour

Malden (l) will receive his award from Michael Douglas

Veteran US actor Karl Malden is to receive a prestigious theatre award from his acting colleague Michael Douglas, organisers have announced.

Malden, 92, will receive the fifth annual Monte Cristo Award, bestowed by the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, at a gala banquet on 11 November.

Stars expected to pay tribute include Kirk Douglas and Danny DeVito.

Malden won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role alongside Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire.

He starred alongside Douglas in the 1970s US crime drama series The Streets of San Francisco.

'True mentor'

In a statement, Douglas said: "Karl has been a true mentor to me.

"His strong work ethic, his generosity of spirit, his enduring friendship and support have long guided me both professionally and personally."

The Monte Cristo Award is bestowed on an artist whose work reflects the abilities and spirit of Nobel Prize-winning US playwright Eugene O'Neill.

"You couldn't get any luckier than to be in one of (O'Neill's) plays," Malden said. "I was in one of them, Desire Under The Elms. It was an honour to play in that show."

Previous recipients of the Monte Cristo Award include actors Jason Robards and Brian Dennehy and playwright Edward Albee.

Malden's other film credits, in a career spanning more than 50 years, include On the Waterfront, One-Eyed Jacks and Patton.