← Home
Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason

Acting

Born: February 26, 1916Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

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).

Known For
Filmography
John Candy: I Like Me

John Candy: I Like Me

Self - Actor (archive footage)

2025
Mike Wallace Is Here

Mike Wallace Is Here

Self (archive footage)

2019
Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work

Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work

Self (archive footage)

2006
Pioneers of Primetime

Pioneers of Primetime

2005
The Honeymooners Holiday Classics

The Honeymooners Holiday Classics

Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited)

2002
The Hustler: The Inside Story

The Hustler: The Inside Story

Self (archive footage)

2002
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

Self (archive footage)

2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

Self (archive footage)

2001
The Very Best of the Honeymooners

The Very Best of the Honeymooners

Ralph Kramden

2000
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

Self - Roastee (archive footage)

1998
A Bing Crosby Christmas

A Bing Crosby Christmas

Self (archive footage)

1998

Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Characters

Reginald Van Gleason III / the Poor Soul / Joe the Bartender / Charlie Bratton (the Loudmoth / Rudy the Repairman / Fenwick Babbit (archive footage)

1994

Jackie Gleason: The Great One

Self (archive footage)

1988
Nothing in Common

Nothing in Common

Max Basner

1986
Izzy & Moe

Izzy & Moe

Izzy Einstein

1985

Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson

Ernest Johnson

1983
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3

Buford T. Justice

1983
The Sting II

The Sting II

Fargo Gondorff

1983
The Toy

The Toy

Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates

1982

All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds

Self

1981
Smokey and the Bandit II

Smokey and the Bandit II

Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice

1980
The Honeymooners Christmas Special

The Honeymooners Christmas Special

Ralph Kramden

1978
The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special

The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special

Ralph Kramden

1978
The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol

The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol

Ralph Kramden

1977
Smokey and the Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit

Sheriff Buford T. Justice

1977
Mr. Billion

Mr. Billion

John Cutler

1977
The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon

The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon

Ralph Kramden

1976
Three for Two

Three for Two

Herb / Fred / Mike

1975
How Do I Love Thee?

How Do I Love Thee?

Stanley Waltz

1970
Don't Drink the Water

Don't Drink the Water

Walter Hollander

1969
How to Commit Marriage

How to Commit Marriage

Oliver Poe

1969
Skidoo

Skidoo

Tough Tony Banks

1968
The Movie Orgy

The Movie Orgy

Self (archive footage)

1968
Soldier in the Rain

Soldier in the Rain

Maxwell Slaughter

1963
Papa's Delicate Condition

Papa's Delicate Condition

Jack Griffith

1963
Gigot

Gigot

Gigot

1962
Requiem for a Heavyweight

Requiem for a Heavyweight

Maish Rennick

1962
The Hustler

The Hustler

Minnesota Fats

1961

The Million Dollar Incident

Self

1961
The Fabulous Fifties

The Fabulous Fifties

Self

1960
The Desert Hawk

The Desert Hawk

Aladdin

1950
Springtime in the Rockies

Springtime in the Rockies

Commissioner (uncredited)

1942
Orchestra Wives

Orchestra Wives

Ben Beck

1942
Escape from Crime

Escape from Crime

Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)

1942
Larceny, Inc.

Larceny, Inc.

Hobart

1942
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!

Hank

1942
Lady Gangster

Lady Gangster

Wilson

1942
All Through the Night

All Through the Night

Starchy

1942
Steel Against the Sky

Steel Against the Sky

Cliff (uncredited)

1941
Navy Blues

Navy Blues

'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)

1941