Jackie Gleason
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
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)
Pioneers of Primetime
2005
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 1
2001
as Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
2001
as Self (archive footage)
The Very Best of the Honeymooners
2000
as Ralph Kramden
A Bing Crosby Christmas
1998
as Self (archive footage)
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
- No poster
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)
- No poster
Jackie Gleason: The Great One
1988
as Self (archive footage)
Nothing in Common
1986
as Max Basner
Izzy & Moe
1985
as Izzy Einstein
- No poster
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson
1983
as Ernest Johnson
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
1983
as Buford T. Justice
The Sting II
1983
as Fargo Gondorff
The Toy
1982
as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates
- No poster
All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds
1981
as Self
Smokey and the Bandit II
1980
as Buford T. Justice / Reginald Van Justice / Gaylord Justice
The Honeymooners Christmas Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden
The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden
The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol
1977
as Ralph Kramden