Jackie Gleason

2/26/1916 – 6/24/1987Brooklyn, 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).

Filmography (72 titles)

7.9Movie

John Candy: I Like Me

Self - Actor (archive footage) · 2025

6.5Movie

Mike Wallace Is Here

Self (archive footage) · 2019

Movie

Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work

Self (archive footage) · 2006

Movie

Pioneers of Primetime

2005

Movie

The Honeymooners Holiday Classics

Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited) · 2002

7.0Movie

The Hustler: The Inside Story

Self (archive footage) · 2002

Movie

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

Self (archive footage) · 2001

Movie

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

Self (archive footage) · 2001

5.5Movie

The Very Best of the Honeymooners

Ralph Kramden · 2000

10.0Movie

A Bing Crosby Christmas

Self (archive footage) · 1998

6.5Movie

The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

Self - Roastee (archive footage) · 1998

7.0Movie

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

8.0Movie

Jackie Gleason: The Great One

Self (archive footage) · 1988