Jackie Gleason
Acting
Biography
John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987) was an American actor, comedian, writer, and composer known affectionately as "The Great One". He developed a style and characters from growing up in Brooklyn, New York and was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy, exemplified by his city bus driver character Ralph Kramden in the television series The Honeymooners. He also developed The Jackie Gleason Show, which maintained high ratings from the mid-1950s through 1970. The series originated in New York City, but videotaping moved to Miami Beach, Florida in 1964 after Gleason took up permanent residence there. Among his notable film roles were Minnesota Fats in 1961's The Hustler (co-starring with Paul Newman) and Buford T. Justice in the Smokey and the Bandit series from 1977 to 1983 (co-starring Burt Reynolds).
Born: February 26, 1916
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Known For
The Jackie Gleason Show
The prodigiously talented Gleason became a TV icon after he joined CBS from DuMont, where his work on `Calvalcade of Stars' had established many of his trademark characters, including Reginald Van Gleason III, the Poor Soul and Ralph Kramden, featured here, along with Art Carney, in `Honeymooners' sketches. The Emmy-winning mix also featured guest stars, musical comedy, the glitzy June Taylor Dancers and Frank Fontaine's Crazy Guggenheim character.
John Candy: I Like Me
Those who knew iconic funnyman John Candy best share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews.
The Jack Benny Program
Laugh along with funnyman Jack Benny as he brings his underplayed humor to TV along with regular performers from his radio show days.
The Hustler
Fast Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats to a high-stakes match.
Gigot
A poignant comedy about a mute who befriends Nicole, the little daughter of a prostitute. Gleason shows his considerable talents as an actor without uttering a sound as he plays the bumbling, kind-hearted janitor, Gigot. Gleason wrote the original story and music for this film.
The Life of Riley
Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. His stock answer to every turn of fate became a catch phrase: 'What a revoltin' development this is!"
The Red Skelton Show
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.
The Honeymooners
A bus driver and his sewer worker friend struggle to strike it rich while their wives look on with weary patience. One of the most influential situation comedy television series in American history.
Requiem for a Heavyweight
After suffering a brutal defeat and being told he can no longer fight, 37-year-old, scar-ridden prizefighter Louis 'Mountain' Rivera struggles to find a new direction in life
Larceny, Inc.
Three ex-cons buy a luggage shop to tunnel into the bank vault next door. But despite all they can do, the shop prospers...
Filmography
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Ralph Kramden
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Max Basner
as Izzy Einstein
as Buford T. Justice
as Fargo Gondorff
as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
as Ralph Kramden
as Ralph Kramden
as Ralph Kramden
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
as John Cutler
as Self - Guest
as Ralph Kramden
as Herb / Fred / Mike
as Self
as Stanley Waltz
as Walter Hollander
as Oliver Poe
as Tough Tony Banks
as Self (archive footage)
as Self - Host
as Maxwell Slaughter
as Jack Griffith
as Gigot
as Maish Rennick
as Self - Co-Host
as Minnesota Fats
as Host
as Self
as Self
as Self - Presenter
as Self - Winner
as Ralph Kramden
as Reginald van Gleason III / cameo
as Jackie Gleason
as Self
as Aladdin
as Self
as Self
as Chester A. Riley
as Jerry Giles
as Sam Wheeler
as Uncle Eddie Doyle
as Self
as Commissioner (uncredited)
as Ben Beck
as Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)
as Hobart
as Hank
as Wilson
as Starchy
as Cliff (uncredited)
as 'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)
as Ralph Kramden