Jackie Gleason
Acting • Born 1916-02-26 – Died 1987-06-24
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).
Filmography
71 credits
The Hustler
Movie • 1961
Minnesota Fats
The Movie Orgy
Movie • 1968
Self (archive footage)
Jackie Gleason: The Great One
Movie • 1988
Self (archive footage)
Smokey and the Bandit
Movie • 1977
Sheriff Buford T. Justice
The Toy
Movie • 1982
Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates
Lady Gangster
Movie • 1942
Wilson
Skidoo
Movie • 1968
Tough Tony Banks
Smokey and the Bandit II
Movie • 1980
Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
Nothing in Common
Movie • 1986
Max Basner
The Sting II
Movie • 1983
Fargo Gondorff
All Through the Night
Movie • 1942
Starchy
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
Movie • 1983
Buford T. Justice
Springtime in the Rockies
Movie • 1942
Commissioner (uncredited)
Mr. Billion
Movie • 1977
John Cutler
Gigot
Movie • 1962
Gigot
Larceny, Inc.
Movie • 1942
Hobart
Escape from Crime
Movie • 1942
Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)
Requiem for a Heavyweight
Movie • 1962
Maish Rennick
Soldier in the Rain
Movie • 1963
Maxwell Slaughter
Papa's Delicate Condition
Movie • 1963
Jack Griffith
How to Commit Marriage
Movie • 1969
Oliver Poe
The Desert Hawk
Movie • 1950
Aladdin
Don't Drink the Water
Movie • 1969
Walter Hollander
Izzy & Moe
Movie • 1985
Izzy Einstein
The Hustler: The Inside Story
Movie • 2002
Self (archive footage)
The Honeymooners Holiday Classics
Movie
Ralph Kramden
Navy Blues
Movie • 1941
'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)
Steel Against the Sky
Movie • 1941
Cliff (uncredited)
How Do I Love Thee?
Movie • 1970
Stanley Waltz
Mike Wallace Is Here
Movie • 2019
Self (archive footage)
Three for Two
Movie • 1975
Herb / Fred / Mike
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!
Movie • 1942
Hank
The Fabulous Fifties
Movie • 1960
Self
A Bing Crosby Christmas
Movie • 1998
Self (archive footage)
Orchestra Wives
Movie • 1942
Ben Beck
The Very Best of the Honeymooners
Movie • 2000
Ralph Kramden
Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Characters
Movie • 1994
Reginald Van Gleason III / the Poor Soul / Joe the Bartender / Charlie Bratton (the Loudmoth / Rudy the Repairman / Fenwick Babbit (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Movie • 2001
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
Movie • 2001
Self (archive footage)
All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds
Movie • 1981
Self
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson
Movie • 1983
Ernest Johnson
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Movie • 1998
Self - Roastee (archive footage)
The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon
Movie • 1976
Ralph Kramden
The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special
Movie • 1978
Ralph Kramden
The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol
Movie • 1977
Ralph Kramden
The Honeymooners Christmas Special
Movie • 1978
Ralph Kramden
Pioneers of Primetime
Movie • 2005
Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work
Movie • 2006
Self (archive footage)
The Million Dollar Incident
Movie • 1961
Self
John Candy: I Like Me
Movie • 2025
Self - Actor (archive footage)
The Jackie Gleason Show
TV • 1966
Self - Host
The Colgate Comedy Hour
TV • 1950
Self
The David Susskind Show
TV • 1959
Self
Studio One
TV • 1948
Jerry Giles
The Honeymooners
TV • 1955
Ralph Kramden
The Life of Riley
TV • 1949
Chester A. Riley
You're in the Picture
TV • 1961
Host
The Jack Benny Program
TV • 1950
Jackie Gleason
The Captain and Tennille
TV • 1976
Self - Guest
Cavalcade of Stars
TV • 1949
Fenwick Babbitt
Tony Orlando and Dawn
TV • 1974
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Co-Host
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
The Bob Hope Show
TV • 1950
Self
Studio One
TV • 1948
Sam Wheeler
Studio One
TV • 1948
Uncle Eddie Doyle
Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine
TV • 1962
Himself
What's My Line?
TV • 1950
Self
The Red Skelton Show
TV • 1951
Reginald van Gleason III / cameo
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
TV • 1973
Self
Small World
TV • 1958
Self