Jackie Gleason
Biography
Jackie Gleason was an American actor, comedian, writer, and composer known as "The Great One". He developed a style and characters from growing up in Brooklyn, New York. Gleason is known for his brash visual and verbal comedy, exemplified by his city bus driver character. He created and starred in The Jackie Gleason Show, which originated in New York City and later moved to Miami Beach, Florida in 1964. Gleason also appeared in notable films, including a role as Minnesota Fats in 1961's The Hustler. He is credited with 76 acting roles. Gleason was born on February 26, 1916, and passed away on June 24, 1987, at the age of 71.
Career overview
Jackie Gleason was a prolific actor known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style. He developed a distinctive style and characters from his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. Gleason's most notable character was Ralph Kramden, a city bus driver, in the television series The Honeymooners. This character exemplified his comedic style and became a defining aspect of his career.
Gleason also created and starred in The Jackie Gleason Show, which maintained high ratings from the mid-1950s through 1970. The series originated in New York City but was later taped in Miami Beach, Florida, after Gleason relocated there in 1964. This show showcased Gleason's versatility as a performer, writer, and composer.
In addition to his television work, Gleason had a notable film career. One of his most notable film roles was that of Minnesota Fats in the 1961 film The Hustler. This role demonstrated Gleason's ability to adapt to different mediums and showcase his comedic talents. Throughout his career, Gleason accumulated a significant number of acting credits, with a total of 76 known credits.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
- Mike Wallace Is Here (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- The Honeymooners (2005) Original Series Creator
- Pioneers of Primetime (2005)
- The Wool Cap (2004) Story
- The Honeymooners Holiday Classics (2002) as Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Hustler: The Inside Story (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2 (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1 (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Very Best of the Honeymooners (2000) as Ralph Kramden
- Miodowe lata (1998) Original Series Creator
- A Bing Crosby Christmas (1998) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
- Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Characters (1994) as Reginald Van Gleason III / the Poor Soul / Joe the Bartender / Charlie Bratton (the Loudmoth / Rudy the Repairman / Fenwick Babbit (archive footage)
- Jackie Gleason: The Great One (1988) as Self (archive footage)
- Nothing in Common (1986) as Max Basner
- Izzy & Moe (1985) as Izzy Einstein
- Izzy & Moe (1985) Original Music Composer
- The Sting II (1983) as Fargo Gondorff
- Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) as Buford T. Justice
- Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983) as Ernest Johnson
- The Toy (1982) as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates
- All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds (1981) as Self
- Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
- The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1978) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1978) Director
- The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special (1978) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special (1978) Director
- The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special (1978) Original Music Composer
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
- Mr. Billion (1977) as John Cutler
- The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol (1977) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol (1977) Director
- The Captain and Tennille (1976) as Self - Guest
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon (1976) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon (1976) Director
- Three for Two (1975) as Herb / Fred / Mike
- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974) as Self
- The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) as Self
- How Do I Love Thee? (1970) as Stanley Waltz
- How to Commit Marriage (1969) as Oliver Poe
- Don't Drink the Water (1969) as Walter Hollander
- Here's Lucy (1968) as Ralph Kramden (uncredited)
- The Movie Orgy (1968) as Self (archive footage)
- Skidoo (1968) as Tough Tony Banks
- Soldier in the Rain (1963) as Maxwell Slaughter
- Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) as Jack Griffith
- Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine (1962) as Himself
- Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) as Maish Rennick
- Gigot (1962) as Gigot
- Gigot (1962) Writer
- Gigot (1962) Original Music Composer
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Hustler (1961) as Minnesota Fats
- The Million Dollar Incident (1961) as Self
- The Million Dollar Incident (1961) Story
- You're in the Picture (1961) as Host
- The Fabulous Fifties (1960) as Self
- The David Susskind Show (1959) as Self
- Small World (1958) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- The Honeymooners (1955) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners (1955) Producer
- The Honeymooners (1955) Production Supervisor
- The Honeymooners (1955) Creator
- Stage Show (1954) Producer
- Stage Show (1954) Creator
- The Jackie Gleason Show (1952) as Self - Host
- The Jackie Gleason Show (1952) Writer
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Reginald van Gleason III
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Jackie Gleason
- The Desert Hawk (1950) as Aladdin
- Cavalcade of Stars (1949) as Fenwick Babbitt
- Cavalcade of Stars (1949) as Self - host
- The Life of Riley (1949) as Chester A. Riley
- Studio One (1948) as Jerry Giles
- Studio One (1948) as Sam Wheeler
- Studio One (1948) as Uncle Eddie Doyle
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- All Through the Night (1942) as Starchy
- Larceny, Inc. (1942) as Hobart
- Orchestra Wives (1942) as Ben Beck
- Escape from Crime (1942) as Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)
- Springtime in the Rockies (1942) as Commissioner (uncredited)
- Lady Gangster (1942) as Wilson
- Tramp, Tramp, Tramp! (1942) as Hank
- Steel Against the Sky (1941) as Cliff (uncredited)
- Navy Blues (1941) as 'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)