Karl, theater and television actor, former real-estate broker, champion and defender of affordable housing, died May 20, 2012, in Brooklyn. He had struggled for several years with myotonic dystrophy.
Karl attended Trenton schools and was awarded a scholarship to attend Princeton in 1943. After his freshman year, he enlisted in the Army and served with the 87th Division in the Ardennes and the Army of Occupation in Germany. Karl resumed his studies in 1947 and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That same year he married Pat Hart and moved to New York, where he embarked on a career as an actor. In 1957 he and his wife opened K.M. Light Real Estate in Princeton, and in the 1960s Karl’s acting career was centered at McCarter Theatre.
In 1975 he became the managing agent of Princeton’s first moderate-income housing development, and he remained in that position until his retirement. Karl also taught speech at Princeton Theological Seminary. For his many contributions to the community, Karl was awarded the Bud Vivian Award.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lucy James; his sister, Rose Scott; children Deborah, Brita, Holly, Corey, and Rip; three stepchildren; and 12 grandchildren.