Jackie Gleason facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackie Gleason
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An early publicity photo of Jackie Gleason
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Herbert Walton Gleason, Jr.
February 26, 1916 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Died | June 24, 1987 (aged 71) Lauderhill, Florida, U.S.
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| Burial place | Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery Doral, Florida |
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| Years active | 1937–1986 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2; including Linda Miller |
| Relatives | Jason Patric (grandson) |
John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987) was a famous American actor, comedian, writer, and composer. People fondly called him "The Great One." He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and used his experiences to create his funny characters and comedy style. He was especially known for playing the loud city bus driver Ralph Kramden in the TV show The Honeymooners.
Jackie Gleason also had his own popular show, The Jackie Gleason Show. It was very successful from the mid-1950s until 1970. He started filming his shows in New York City, but later moved to Miami Beach, Florida, in 1964.
He also starred in many movies. Some of his most famous film roles include Minnesota Fats in The Hustler (1961) with Paul Newman. He also played Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the Smokey and the Bandit movies (1977-1983) alongside Burt Reynolds.
Besides acting, Gleason had a successful music career in the 1950s and 1960s. He made many popular "mood music" albums. His first album, Music for Lovers Only, stayed on the Billboard Top Ten Charts for a record 153 weeks. His first 10 albums each sold over a million copies!
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Show Business
Jackie Gleason was born on February 26, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York. His birth name was Herbert Walton Gleason Jr., but he was baptized John Herbert Gleason. He grew up at 328 Chauncey Street, which he later used as the address for Ralph and Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners.
His parents were Herbert Walton "Herb" Gleason and Mae Agnes "Maisie" Gleason. He had an older brother, Clement, who sadly died at age 14 in 1919. When Jackie was nine years old, his father left the family. After that, his mother worked as a subway attendant to support them.
Young Jackie started spending time with a local group of friends and playing pool. He went to P.S. 73 Elementary School and later to high schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Jackie became interested in performing after being in a school play. He left school early and got a job as a master of ceremonies at a theater, earning $4 a night. He also worked in a pool hall, as a stunt driver, and as a carnival barker.
When Jackie was 19, his mother passed away in 1935. He had very little money and nowhere to go. A friend helped him get a week-long job in Reading, Pennsylvania, which paid $19. This was his first job as a professional comedian. After this, he always found work in small clubs.
Becoming a Star: Jackie Gleason's Career
Jackie Gleason eventually got a job at Club 18 in New York, a place known for comedians who would playfully insult the audience. It was there that a film producer, Jack L. Warner, saw him and offered him a movie contract for $250 a week.
By age 24, Gleason was appearing in films. He was in movies like Navy Blues (1941) and All Through the Night (1942). He also played a small part in the musical Springtime in the Rockies (1942).
During World War II, Gleason was not required to serve in the military. This was because he had two children and also had some health issues.
Gleason didn't become a big Hollywood star right away. So, he developed a nightclub act that combined comedy and music. He also became known for hosting fun, all-night parties in his hotel suite.
His first major success on Broadway was in the musical Follow the Girls (1944). While working in films in California, he also performed at Maxie Rosenbloom's nightclub.
Early Days in Television
Jackie Gleason's big break in television came in 1949. He got the role of Chester A. Riley in the first TV version of the radio comedy The Life of Riley. Even though the show received good reviews, it didn't get high ratings and was canceled after one year.
However, Gleason's nightclub act caught the attention of the new DuMont Television Network. In 1950, he was hired to host DuMont's Cavalcade of Stars variety show. He framed the acts with lively dance numbers and created funny characters that he would use for years. He became so popular that CBS offered him a contract in 1952.
His new show, The Jackie Gleason Show, became the second most-watched TV show in the country during the 1954–55 season. Gleason made the show even more exciting with big opening dance numbers. These were inspired by the famous movie director Busby Berkeley and featured the amazing June Taylor Dancers.
After the dance, he would tell jokes in an opening monologue. Then, with some lively music, he would walk off stage, clapping his hands and shouting, "And awaaay we go!" This phrase became one of his trademarks, along with "How sweet it is!"
Gleason continued to create many memorable comic characters, including:
- Reginald Van Gleason III: A rich millionaire who loved fancy things and fantasy.
- Rudy the Repairman: A loud and rude character.
- Joe the Bartender: A friendly bartender who always had kind words for the unseen Mr. Dennehy.
- The Poor Soul: A silent character who often found himself in funny, unlucky situations.
- Fenwick Babbitt: A friendly but clumsy young man who usually failed at his jobs.
- Charlie Bratton: A loudmouth who often teased the quiet Clem Finch (played by Art Carney).
Jackie Gleason didn't like to rehearse much. He had a great memory and would read the script once. Then he would watch a rehearsal with his co-stars and shoot the show later that day.
The Honeymooners: A Beloved Comedy
Gleason's most famous character was the loud bus driver Ralph Kramden. This character and the sketches he was in were called The Honeymooners. The show was about Ralph's many ideas to get rich quickly, his big dreams, and his funny adventures with his best friend and neighbor, Ed Norton. It also showed his arguments with his sensible wife, Alice, who usually brought Ralph back to reality.
Ralph Kramden had famous catchphrases he used with Alice, like "One of these days, Alice, pow! right in the kisser!" and "Bang! Zoom! To the moon Alice, to the moon!"
The Honeymooners first appeared as a sketch on Cavalcade of Stars in 1951. Art Carney played a cop at first, and Pert Kelton played Alice. These early sketches were a bit tougher than later versions.
When Gleason moved to CBS, Pert Kelton was replaced by Audrey Meadows as Alice. This was because Kelton's name appeared on a list of people thought to be communists, and the network didn't want to hire her. Audrey Meadows worked hard to convince Gleason she could play the part of a working-class wife. Joyce Randolph played Trixie, Ed Norton's wife.
In 1955, Gleason decided to make The Honeymooners its own separate show. These are the "Classic 39" episodes, which were filmed using a new process called Electronicam. This process saved live performances on film with high quality. This was a smart move because, ten years later, these half-hour episodes were shown again in reruns. They became very popular and turned The Honeymooners into a TV icon.
The show's popularity was so great that in 2000, a life-sized statue of Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden was placed outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
Gleason brought back The Honeymooners in different forms over the years. He did live versions and even hour-long musical episodes in color.
Jackie Gleason's Music Career
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Jackie Gleason had a very successful music career. He created many best-selling "mood music" albums for Capitol Records. He believed people wanted romantic instrumental music. He wanted to create "musical wallpaper" that was pleasant but not distracting.
Gleason's first album, Music for Lovers Only, holds the record for staying on the Billboard Top Ten Charts the longest (153 weeks). His first 10 albums each sold over a million copies! He even held the record for having the most number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart without having any songs in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Jackie Gleason couldn't read or write music. He would imagine melodies in his head and sing them to assistants, who would then write them down. This is how he created the well-known themes for The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love").
His lead role in the musical Take Me Along (1959–60) earned him a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
Return to Television and Later Shows
In 1956, Gleason brought back his original variety show, which included The Honeymooners sketches. He won a Peabody Award for it. He stopped the show in 1957 but returned in 1958 with a half-hour show featuring Buddy Hackett, which didn't last long.
CBS also paid for Gleason's large mansion in Peekskill, New York, called "Round Rock Hill." He designed the unique round house himself, which was finished in 1959. He sold it when he moved to Miami.
In 1962, Gleason brought back his variety show with a new idea: a fake general-interest magazine called The American Scene Magazine. Through this, he brought back his old characters in new stories, including more Honeymooners sketches. He also added another famous phrase, "How sweet it is!" from his 1963 film Papa's Delicate Condition.
The Jackie Gleason Show: The American Scene Magazine was a big hit and ran for four seasons. Each show started with Gleason telling jokes and making fun of his band leader Sammy Spear's outfits. Then, they would present different "magazine" features, from Hollywood news to funny news flashes.
The last sketch was always set in Joe the Bartender's saloon. Joe would sing "My Gal Sal" and talk to his regular customer, the unseen Mr. Dunahy (who was the TV audience). Joe would often bring out Frank Fontaine as Crazy Guggenheim, who would tell funny stories and sing sentimental songs.
By 1964, Gleason had moved his show's production from New York to Miami Beach, Florida. He reportedly liked being able to play golf year-round there. His closing line often became, "As always, the Miami Beach audience is the greatest audience in the world!"
In 1966, he changed the show to a regular variety hour with guest performers. He also brought back new, color episodes of The Honeymooners. Art Carney returned as Ed Norton, with Sheila MacRae as Alice and Jane Kean as Trixie. These were full musical comedies. The show was very popular at first, but ratings started to drop. By its last season in 1970, it was no longer in the top 25.
Gleason stopped doing the show in 1970 when his contract with CBS ended. He wanted The Honeymooners to be only a part of his show, but CBS wanted another full season of just The Honeymooners.
The Honeymooners Returns Again
Jackie Gleason did a few more Jackie Gleason Show specials for CBS in the 1970s, which included Honeymooners parts. He later did a series of Honeymooners specials for ABC.
In 1985, Gleason revealed that he had carefully saved old recordings (called kinescopes) of his live 1950s shows. These included Honeymooners sketches with Pert Kelton as Alice. These "lost episodes" were shown on the Showtime cable network in 1985 and later added to The Honeymooners reruns. Some of them had earlier versions of stories that were later used in the "Classic 39" episodes.
Film Roles and Dramatic Acting
Jackie Gleason wasn't just known for comedy. He also received praise for his serious acting roles on live television.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing the pool shark Minnesota Fats in The Hustler (1961), starring Paul Newman. Gleason did all his own trick pool shots in the movie. He told Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show that he had played pool a lot since he was a kid.
He also gave a great performance as a tired boxing manager in the film Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962). Gleason played an army sergeant in Soldier in the Rain (1963), where he was the main star alongside Steve McQueen.
Gleason wrote, produced, and starred in Gigot (1962), where he played a poor, silent janitor. The movie didn't do well at the box office. However, the script was later made into a TV movie called The Wool Cap (2004), which received good reviews.
Eight years later, Gleason had another big hit film. He played the grumpy and funny Texas sheriff Buford T. Justice in the movies Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983). He starred with Burt Reynolds as the Bandit and Sally Field as Carrie.
Burt Reynolds said that he agreed to do the film only if Jackie Gleason was hired to play Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Reynolds and director Hal Needham knew that Gleason's comedic talent would help make the film a success. Gleason's portrayal of Sheriff Justice made the movie even more popular.
In the 1980s, Gleason received good reviews for his role opposite Laurence Olivier in the TV special Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983). He also gave a memorable performance as a rich businessman in the comedy The Toy (1982) with Richard Pryor. His last film role was with Tom Hanks in Nothing in Common (1986), which was a success.
Jackie Gleason's Personal Life
Jackie Gleason had a fear of flying for many years. This fear started after an incident early in his film career. He was on a plane to New York when two engines stopped working, and the pilot had to make an emergency landing. After that, he preferred to travel only by train.
Interest in the Paranormal
Gleason was very interested in the paranormal, which includes things like ghosts and UFOs. He read many books on these topics. He was also a guest on a radio show about paranormal themes. After he passed away, his large collection of books was given to the library at the University of Miami.
Some people say that his interest in UFOs even led President Richard Nixon to share some information with him about UFOs.
Family Life
Jackie Gleason met dancer Genevieve Halford when they were working in vaudeville. They married on September 20, 1936. They had two daughters, Geraldine and Linda.
Gleason and Halford separated in 1951. He later met Marilyn Taylor, a dancer from his TV show. Genevieve Halford, who was a devout Catholic, did not agree to a divorce until 1970.
Ten days after his divorce from Halford was final, Gleason married Beverly McKittrick in 1970. In 1974, Marilyn Taylor, who had been out of show business, moved to Miami and reconnected with Gleason. Gleason divorced McKittrick in 1975 and married Marilyn Taylor on December 16, 1975. Their marriage lasted until his death.
Gleason's daughter Linda became an actress. Her son, Jackie Gleason's grandson, is the actor Jason Patric.
Later Years and Passing
In 1978, Jackie Gleason had chest pains while performing in a play. He had to leave the show and undergo heart surgery.
His last film role was in the comedy-drama Nothing in Common (1986) with Tom Hanks. During the making of this film, it was discovered that he had serious cancer. Gleason kept his health problems private. A year later, on June 24, 1987, Jackie Gleason passed away at age 71 at his home in Florida.
After a funeral Mass, Jackie Gleason was buried in a private outdoor mausoleum at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Miami. His sister-in-law, June Taylor of the June Taylor Dancers, is buried next to him.
Legacy and Awards
- In 1987, Miami Beach renamed the Miami Beach Auditorium as the Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts.
- Gleason was added to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Television Hall of Fame in 1986.
- In 2000, a statue of him as Ralph Kramden, in his famous "And away we go!" pose, was placed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
- Jackie Gleason was nominated for an Emmy Award three times, but he never won. However, his co-stars Art Carney and Jane Kean did win.
- In 1976, comedian Paul Lynde received an award for being the funniest man of the year. He immediately gave his award to Jackie Gleason, saying Gleason was "the funniest man ever."
- On June 30, 1988, a bus depot in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, was renamed the Jackie Gleason Depot in his honor.
- A city park in Lauderhill, Florida, near his former home, was named "Jackie Gleason Park."
- Signs on the Brooklyn Bridge welcoming drivers to Brooklyn include Gleason's famous phrase, "How Sweet It Is!"
- Jackie Gleason was played by Brad Garrett in a 2002 TV movie about his life.
Works
Television Shows and Specials
- The Life of Riley (1949–1950) as Chester A. Riley
- Cavalcade of Stars (1950–1952) as Host / Ralph Kramden / Reginald Van Gleason III
- The Jackie Gleason Show (1952–1955, 1956–1957, 1958–1959, 1966–1970) as Host and various characters
- The Honeymooners (1955–1956) as Ralph Kramden
- Playhouse 90: The Time of Your Life (1958) as Joe
- Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine (1962–1966) as Host and various characters
- Here's Lucy: Lucy Visits Jack Benny (1968) as Ralph Kramden
- Julie & Jackie: How Sweet It Is! (1974) as Himself and various characters
- Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason: Two for Three (1975) as Himself
- The Honeymooners Second Honeymoon (1976) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1977) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Valentine Special (1978) as Ralph Kramden
- The Second Honeymooners Christmas Special (1978) as Ralph Kramden
- Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983, TV Movie) as Ernest Johnson
- Izzy and Moe (1985, TV Movie) as Izzy Einstein
- The Honeymooners Reunion (1985) as Ralph Kramden
- The Honeymooners Anniversary Celebration (1985) as Ralph Kramden
Stage Plays
- Follow the Girls (1944)
- Take Me Along (1959)
- Sly Fox (1978)
Movies
- Navy Blues (1941) as Tubby
- All Through the Night (1942) as Starchy
- Orchestra Wives (1942) as Ben Beck
- The Hustler (1961) as Minnesota Fats
- Gigot (1962) as Gigot (also writer)
- Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) as Maish Rennick
- Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) as Jack Griffith
- Soldier in the Rain (1963) as MSgt. Maxwell Slaughter
- Skidoo (1968) as Tony Banks
- How to Commit Marriage (1969) as Oliver Poe
- Don't Drink the Water (1969) as Walter Hollander
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
- Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
- The Toy (1982) as U.S. Bates
- Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) as Buford T. Justice
- Nothing in Common (1986) as Max Basner (his last film)
Music Albums (Selected)
- Music for Lovers Only (1952)
- Lover's Rhapsody (1953)
- Music to Make You Misty (1953)
- Music, Martinis and Memories (1954)
- Lonesome Echo (1955)
- Jackie Gleason Plays Romantic Jazz (1955)
- Merry Christmas (1956)
- Velvet Brass (1957)
- The Torch with the Blue Flame (1958)
- Aphrodisia (1960)
- Gigot (soundtrack) (1963)
- How Sweet It Is for Lovers (1966)
Images for kids
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Gleason and Rosemary DeCamp in The Life of Riley
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Jackie Gleason and June Taylor dancer Margaret Jeanne get ready for St. Patrick's Day 1955
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Gleason as the Poor Soul on Toast of the Town in 1954
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Irish writer Brendan Behan with Jackie Gleason in 1960
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Edward R. Murrow and Gleason on Person to Person in 1956
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The Fillmore Miami Beach, where Gleason taped his shows
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Gleason and Lucille Ball in a TV special "Tea for Two" (1975)
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With Betsy Palmer in "The Time of Your Life" on Playhouse 90 (1958)
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Gleason playing golf with President Gerald Ford, c. 1975
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President Richard Nixon and Jackie Gleason in a golf cart in 1973
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June Taylor Dancers with Gleason on one of his television specials.
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Gleason's sarcophagus at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Miami
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Ralph Kramden statue at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan
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Sign welcoming drivers to Brooklyn
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The television home of The Honeymooners at 328 Chauncey Street in Brooklyn
See also
In Spanish: Jackie Gleason para niños
