American Express Guy - Spokesperson for the American Express
credit card and travelers check company. Karl Malden starred in the role
of the American Express Guy in over 100 TV commercial spots. Malden's
classic catchphrase proclaimed: "Don't leave home without it." The
"it" being the American Express Card. Malden, a veteran movie actor,
formerly starred as Detective Lt. Mike Stone (the persona he used on the
commercials) on the police drama THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO/ABC/1972-77.
The American Express campaign was created by Olgilvy & Mather Agency. In a
take-off of these commercials, late night talk show host Johnny Carson on a
segment of NBC's THE TONIGHT SHOW dressed like Karl Malden. When Carson
told the viewing audience "Don't leave home with out it," he got hit in
the face with a cream pie.
