Jackie Gleason biography

February 16, 2013 tom.raymond Famous Clowns, TV clowns 0

Jackie Gleason kissed by Audrey Meadows
Jackie Gleason kissed by Audrey Meadows

Biography of Jackie Gleason, TV and movie clown best remembered for his role as Ralph Kramden on TV’s The Honeymooners

Jackie Gleason biography (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987)

Jackie Gleason

Herbert John “Jackie” Gleason (b. February 26, 1916, Brooklyn, New York; d. June 24, 1987, Inverrary, Florida), an American comedian and actor, was one of the most popular and respected stars of television’s coming-of-age years. Though Jackie Gleason earned tandem respect for his periodic dramatic work in film and television, his major legacy has been his brash visual and verbal comedy—especially as delivered in The Honeymooners, which began as a segment of his popular variety show but took on a life of its own beginning a decade after he tried it as a separate half-hour television series.

Jackie Gleason was an American actor, comedian, and musician, best known for his larger-than-life persona and his versatile talents across various entertainment mediums. Born on February 26, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, Gleason rose to prominence during the mid-20th century and became one of the most influential figures in comedy.

Jackie Gleason’s early years

Gleason’s early life was marked by a love for performing. At the age of 19, he began working in the entertainment industry as a comedian, performing in vaudeville shows and working his way up through the ranks of the entertainment world. His breakthrough came in 1939 when he was cast in the Broadway musical “Follow the Girls,” which led to further success and recognition.

Jackie Gleason’s early career in the movies

By the 1940s, Gleason was seen in films such as two featuring swing legend Glenn Miller and His Orchestra; Gleason played the band’s bassist in Springtime in the Rockies and Orchestra Wives. He also appeared in Navy Blues (credited as Jackie C. Gleason), which starred Ann Sheridan and Martha Raye. But Gleason—whom Orson Welles in due course tagged “The Great One“—didn’t make a strong impression in Hollywood at first.

Jackie Gleason on radio

In the 1940s, Gleason transitioned to radio and made a name for himself with his character-based comedy. He gained a significant following with his radio program “The Life of Riley,” where he portrayed the lovable but bumbling Chester A. Riley. This success propelled him into the emerging medium of television.

Jackie Gleason on television

Jackie Gleason as the bartender with barfly Crazy Guggenheim
Jackie Gleason as the bartender
with barfly Crazy Guggenheim

Gleason’s talent and popularity on the radio led to his own television variety show, “The Jackie Gleason Show,” which premiered in 1952. The show quickly became a hit, and Gleason’s blend of comedy sketches, musical performances, and his endearing character portrayals endeared him to audiences nationwide.

The Honeymooners episode guide - A guide to the classic 39 episodes of The Honeymooners, starring Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, Joyce Randolph

One of his most memorable characters was the blustery and bombastic Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners,” a sitcom segment within “The Jackie Gleason Show.” This iconic role showcased Gleason’s comedic brilliance and solidified his place in television history. As bus driver Ralph Kramden, he and Art Carney made a truly great comedy team. And his on-screen wife Audrey Meadows served very well as his foil, as well as an anchor to

Colorized photo of Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows in The Honeymooners
Colorized photo of Jackie Gleason
and Audrey Meadows in
The Honeymooners

The Honeymooners sketches proved popular enough that Gleason gambled on making it a separate series entirely in 1955. These are the so-called Classic 39 episodes—but they became classic only years after they aired: the show didn’t draw strongly in the ratings. But they were filmed with a new DuMont process, Electronicam, allowing live television to be preserved on high-quality film. That turned out to be the most prescient move the show made: beginning a decade after they first aired, the half-hour Honeymooners in syndicated reruns built a loyal and growing audience that made what was once a rating bust into a television icons.

Jackie Gleason’s return to the movies

Jackie Gleason shooting pool in "The Hustler"

Throughout his career, Gleason expanded his repertoire beyond television. He starred in numerous films, including “The Hustler“, for which he earned critical acclaim for his role as Minnesota Fats. He also appeared in “Gigot“, “Soldier in the Rain ” and later “Nothing in Common“, among others. Gleason’s film career further demonstrated his versatility as an actor, showcasing his ability to portray both comedic and dramatic characters. An excellent example of his dramatic acting ability is his role in “Requiem for a Heavyweight“, where he played a corrupt manager for a punch drunk boxer.

Jackie Gleason, musician and more

Aside from acting, Gleason was also an accomplished musician. He released several successful albums, including “Music for Lovers Only” (1952), which went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time. His smooth baritone voice and romantic ballads won him a new legion of fans and further solidified his status as an entertainer.

Gleason’s influence extended beyond his performances. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to perfection, demanding the best from himself and those around him. He often improvised during his performances, bringing a fresh and spontaneous energy to his work.

Jackie Gleason’s personal life

Despite his success, Gleason faced personal challenges throughout his life. He struggled with alcoholism, which affected his health and relationships. However, he managed to overcome his addiction in the late 1970s and went on to live a healthier lifestyle.

Jackie Gleason passed away on June 24, 1987, in Inverrary, Florida.

Jackie Gleason Quotes

  • [trademark line] How sweet it is!”
  • The worst thing you can do with money is save it.
  • I have no use for humility. I am a fellow with an exceptional talent.
  • Does God have a sense of humor? He must have if He created us.
  • Drinking removes warts and pimples. Not from me. But from those I look at.

Tributes to Jackie Gleason

On June 30, 1988, the Sunset Park Bus Depot in Brooklyn was renamed the Jackie Gleason Bus Depot in honor of the native Brooklynite. (Ralph Kramden worked for the fictional Gotham Bus Company.) A statue of Gleason as Ralph in his bus driver’s uniform was dedicated in August, 2000 in New York City.

Local signs on the Brooklyn Bridge, which indicate to the driver that they are now entering Brooklyn, have the Gleason phrase “How Sweet It Is!” as part of the sign.

A city park with raquetball & basketball courts as well as a children’s playground was named “Jackie Gleason Park” near his home in Inverrary, Florida.

A television movie called Gleason was aired by CBS on October 13, 2002, taking a deeper look into Gleason’s life; it took liberties with some of the Gleason story but featured his troubled home life, a side of Gleason few really saw. He had two daughters by his first wife (Gleason’s daughter Linda is the mother of actor Jason Patric); they divorced, and Gleason endured a brief second marriage before finding a happy union with his third wife, June Taylor’s sister Marilyn. The film also showed backstage scenes from his best-known work. Brad Garrett, from Everybody Loves Raymond, portrayed Gleason,

TV work of Jackie Gleason

  • The Life of Riley (1949)
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1952) – portraying the Poor Soul
  • The Jackie Gleason Show (1953)
  • The Red Skelton Show (1953, 1954) as Reginald Van Gleason III
  • The Best of Broadway (1955)
  • The Jack Benny Show (1955)
  • Studio One (1953-55)
  • The Honeymooners (1955-56)
  • Playhouse 90 (1958)
  • Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine (1965)
  • The Jackie Gleason Show (1968)
  • Here’s Lucy (1968) cameo as Ralph Kramden
  • Three for Two (1975)
  • Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983)
  • Izzy and Moe (1985)

Filmography of Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason Stage appearances

  • Keep Off the Grass (1940)
  • Artists and Models (1943)
  • Follow the Girls (1944)
  • Along Fifth Avenue (1949)
  • Take Me Along (1959)

Record albums of Jackie Gleason

  • Music for Lovers Only (1953)
  • Music, Martinis and Memories (1954)
  • Lover’s Rhapsody (1955)
  • Music to Make You Misty (1955)
  • Tawny (1955)
  • And Awaaay We Go! (1955)
  • Romantic Jazz (1955)
  • Music to Remember Her (1955)
  • Lonesome Echo (1955)
  • Music to Change Her Mind (1956)
  • Night Winds (1956)
  • Merry Christmas (1956)
  • Music for the Love Hours (1957)
  • Velvet Brass (1957)

Jackie Gleason References

[Updated May 17, 2023]

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Professional clown for over 25 years - happily married, with 5 children and 1 grandson