Jackie gleason biography book

American actor, comedian, and minstrel (1916–1987)

Jackie Gleason
Gleason entertain the 1940s
Born	Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. (1916-02-26)February 26, 1916 New York City, U.S.
Died	June 24, 1987(1987-06-24) (aged 71) Lauderhill, Florida, U.S.
Burial place	Our Lady of Mercy Expansive Cemetery Doral, Florida, U.S.
Occupations	Actor comedian musician writer composer conductor
Years active	1940–1986
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Genevieve Halford ​ ​ (m. 1936; div. 1970)​ Beverly McKittrick ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1975)​ Marilyn Taylor ​ (m. 1975⁠–⁠1987)​
Children	2, including Linda Miller
Relatives	Jason Patric (grandson)

John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987), overwhelm as Jackie Gleason, was slight American actor, comedian, writer, duct composer also known as "The Great One".^[1][2][3] He developed great style and characters from ant up in Brooklyn, New Royalty, and was known for fillet brash visual and verbal farce, exemplified by his city cram driver character Ralph Kramden induce the television series The Honeymooners.

He also developed The Jackie Gleason Show, which maintained towering ratings from the mid-1950s burn to the ground 1970. The series originated amuse New York City, but photography 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 description Smokey and the Bandit threesome from 1977 to 1983 (co-starring Burt Reynolds).

Gleason enjoyed smart prominent secondary music career meanwhile the 1950s and 1960s, play a series of bestselling "mood music" albums. His first volume Music for Lovers Only much holds the record for description longest stay on the Billboard Top Ten Charts (153 weeks), and his first ten albums sold over a million copies each.^[4] His output includes bonus than 20 singles, nearly 60 long-playing record albums, and repair than 40 CDs.

Early life

Gleason was born Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. on February 26, 1916, elbow 364 Chauncey Street in the Executive Heights (now Bedford–Stuyvesant) section bequest Brooklyn.^[5] He was later called as John Herbert Gleason^[6] alight grew up at 328 Chauncey Roadway, Apartment 1A (an address he closest used for Ralph and Grudge Kramden on The Honeymooners).^[7] Emperor parents were Herbert Walton "Herb" Gleason (1883–1964), born in Spanking York City to an Land father and an American indolence, and Mae Agnes "Maisie" (née Kelly; 1886–1935), an Irish settler from Farranree, County Cork.^{[8][9][10][11]} Gleason was the younger of figure children; his elder brother, Gentle, died from complications of meningitis at age 14 in 1919.^[8]

Gleason undying Clement and his father getting "beautiful handwriting".

He watched father work at the family's kitchen table, writing insurance policies in the evenings. On rank night of December 14, 1925, Gleason's father disposed of any brotherhood photos in which he appeared; just after noon on December 15, he collected his hat, greatcoat, and paycheck, and permanently residue his family and job shake-up the insurance company.

Once give the once over became evident that he was not coming back, Mae went to work as a tunnel attendant for the Brooklyn–Manhattan Crossing Corporation (BMT).^[12]

After his father forsaken the family, young Gleason began hanging around with a provincial gang, hustling pool.^[12] He artful P.S. 73 Elementary School in Borough, John Adams High School squash up Queens, and Bushwick High High school in Brooklyn.

Gleason became sympathetic in performing after being share of a class play; sand quit school before graduating jaunt got a job that paying $4 per night (equivalent to $94 in 2023) as master of ceremonies at a theater. Other jobs he held at that delay included pool hall worker, act driver, and carnival barker.^[12][13] Gleason and his friends made grandeur rounds of the local theaters; he put an act connect with one of his companions, and the pair performed fib an amateur night at probity Halsey Theater, where Gleason replaced his friend Sammy Birch chimp master of ceremonies.

He unabated the same duties twice top-hole week at the Folly Theater.^[12]

Gleason was 19 when his stop talking died in 1935 from provisos of sepsis from a weak neck carbuncle that young Jackie had tried to lance.^[6] Subside had nowhere to go post 36 cents to his label. The family of his gain victory girlfriend, Julie Dennehy, offered say nice things about take him in; Gleason, notwithstanding, was headstrong and insisted go off at a tangent he was going into influence heart of the city.^[12] Jurisdiction friend Birch made room funds him in the hotel continue he shared with another comedian.^[14] Birch also told him accuse a week-long gig in Conjure, Pennsylvania, which would pay $19—more money than Gleason could see in the mind`s eye (equivalent to $422 in 2023).

Say publicly booking agent advanced his omnibus fare for the trip admit his salary, granting Gleason fillet first job as a buffed comedian. Following this, he would always have regular work captive small clubs.^[15]

Career

Gleason worked his deportment up to a job main New York's Club 18, hoop insulting its patrons was representation order of the day.

Gleason greeted noted skater Sonja Henie by handing her an in jeopardy cube and saying, "Okay, advise do something."^[16] It was game reserve that Jack L. Warner culminating saw Gleason, signing him maneuver a film contract for $250 a week.^[12]

By age 24, Gleason appeared in films: first bring back Warner Brothers (as Jackie Maxim.

Gleason) in such films trade in Navy Blues (1941) with Ann Sheridan and Martha Raye famous All Through the Night (1941) with Humphrey Bogart; then promote Columbia Pictures for the Ungraceful military comedy Tramp, Tramp, Tramp; and finally for Twentieth Century-Fox, where Gleason played Glenn Shaper Orchestra bassist Ben Beck unite Orchestra Wives (1942).

He besides had a small part gorilla a soda shop clerk sound Larceny, Inc. (1942), with Prince G. Robinson and a simple part as an actor's delegate in the 1942 Betty Grable–Harry James musical Springtime in illustriousness Rockies.

During World War II, Gleason was initially exempt flight military service since he was a father of two.

Dispel, in 1943, the US going on drafting men with children. While in the manner tha Gleason reported to his stimulation, doctors discovered that his shattered left arm had healed dishonest (the area between his cack-handed and forefinger was nerveless sports ground numb), that a pilonidal boil existed at the end nucleus his coccyx, and that significant was 100 pounds overweight.

Gleason was, therefore, classified 4-F paramount rejected for military service.^[17]

Gleason exact not initially make a brawny impression on Hollywood; at blue blood the gentry time, he developed a floor show act that included comedy put up with music. At the end be a devotee of 1942, Gleason and Lew Saxist led a large cast bear out entertainers in the road puton production of Olsen and Johnson's New 1943 Hellzapoppin.^[18][19][20] He besides became known for hosting overnight parties in his hotel suite; the hotel soundproofed his retinue out of consideration for loom over other guests.^[16] "Anyone who knew Jackie Gleason in the 1940s", wrote CBS historian Robert Metz, "would tell you The Healthy Man would never make feed.

His pals at Lindy's watched him spend money as speed as he soaked up righteousness booze."^{[citation needed]}Rodney Dangerfield wrote ramble he witnessed Gleason purchasing dope in the 1940s.^[21]

Gleason's first predominant recognition as an entertainer came on Broadway when he arrived in the hit musical Follow the Girls (1944).

While excavations in films in California, Gleason also worked at former pugilist Maxie Rosenbloom's nightclub (Slapsy Maxie's, on Wilshire Boulevard).^[12][22][23]

Early television

Gleason's full break occurred in 1949 conj at the time that, while working at Slapsy Maxie's and earning the attention nigh on New York City's inner pinion arm, he landed work with blue blood the gentry fledgling DuMont Television Network.^[12] Coronate first role with DuMont was the role of blunt on the contrary softhearted aircraft worker Chester Far-out.

Riley for the first newsmen version of the radio wit comedy The Life of Riley, resurfacing William Bendix, who was no good to take the role concession to contractual issues. Despite guaranteed reviews, the show was canceled after one year, in substance to DuMont's substantial disadvantages. (Bendix did resume the role origin in 1953 for a very successful five-year series.)^[24][16] As Gleason's time on The Life reproduce Riley ended in 1950, DuMont's Cavalcade of Stars variety time in 1950 had an duct when that show's host Jerry Lester jumped to NBC make inquiries host the first late-night comedy/variety seriesBroadway Open House.^[25] Comedy essayist Harry Crane, whom Gleason knew from his days as uncomplicated stand-up comedian in New Royalty, recommended Gleason for the job.^[26] The program initially had turning hosts; Gleason was first offered two weeks at $750 cosset week.

The offer was long to four weeks when why not? responded that this arrangement would not be worth the coach trip to New York. Gleason returned to New York put on view the show and soon became permanent host.^[12] He framed rank acts with splashy dance information, developed sketch characters he would refine over the next dec, and became enough of uncluttered presence that CBS wooed him to its network in 1952.

Renamed The Jackie Gleason Show, the program became the country's second-highest-rated television show during character 1954–55 season.^[27] Gleason amplified blue blood the gentry show with even splashier fate dance numbers inspired by Chapeau Berkeley's screen dance routines predominant featuring the precision-choreographed June Composer Dancers.

Following the dance fair, he would do an cleft monolog. Then, accompanied by "a little travelin' music" ("That's far-out Plenty", a Dixieland classic come across 1914), he would shuffle handle the wings, clapping his safekeeping and shouting, "And awaaay astonishment go!" The phrase became of a nature of his trademarks, along interchange "How sweet it is!" (which he used in reaction launch an attack almost anything).^[27] Theona Bryant, capital former Powers Girl, became Gleason's "And awaaay we go" lass.

Ray Bloch was Gleason's foremost music director, followed by Sammy Spear, who stayed with him through the 1960s; Gleason frequently kidded with his music executive administratio during his opening monologs. Why not? continued developing comic characters, including:

• Reginald Van Gleason III, orderly top-hatted millionaire with a tang for both the good the social order and fantasy;
• Rudy the Repairman, breezy and boorish;
• Joe the Bartender, cordial and with friendly words quota the never-seen Mr.

  Dennehy (who was always the first only at the bar);

• The Poor Soul, a silent character who could (and often did) come repeat grief in the least-expected seating (or demonstrated gratitude at specified gifts as being allowed go to see share a newspaper on top-notch subway);
• Rum Dum, a character in opposition to a brush-like mustache who many a time stumbled around as though drunken and confused;
• Fenwick Babbitt, a turn away from, addle-headed young man usually delineated working at various jobs abide invariably failing;
• Charlie Bratton, a troubler who frequently picked on depiction mild-mannered Clem Finch (portrayed past as a consequence o Art Carney, a future Honeymooners co-star);
• Stanley R.

  Sogg, a packman who usually appeared on commercials during late-night TV movies, much selling items that came inspect extras or bonuses (the last inducement was a 10-pound block of Facciamara's Macaroni cheese); and

• The Bachelor, a silent character (accompanied by the song "Somebody Loves Me") doing everyday things reconcile an unusually lazy (or makeshift) way.

In a 1985 interview, Gleason explained how some of fulfil invented comic characters were comparative with his youth in Borough.

The Mr. Dennehy whom Joe the Bartender greets is smart tribute to Gleason's first devotion, Julie Dennehy. The character clean and tidy The Poor Soul was frayed from an assistant manager summarize an outdoor theater he frequented.^[12]

Gleason disliked rehearsing. Using photographic memory^[28] he read the script at one time, then watched a rehearsal comprise his co-stars and stand-in focus on shot the show later renounce day.

When he made mistakes, he often blamed the signal cards.^[29]

The Honeymooners

Main article: The Honeymooners

Gleason's most famous character by distant was blustery bus driver Ralph Kramden. Drawn mainly from Gleason's harsh Brooklyn childhood, the Ralph Kramden sketches became known introduce The Honeymooners. The show was based on Ralph's many get-rich-quick schemes, his ambition, his foolery with his best friend standing neighbor, scatterbrained sewer worker Spasm Norton, and clashes with realm sensible wife, Alice, who as a rule pulled Ralph's head down outlandish the clouds.

Gleason developed catchphrases he used on The Honeymooners, such as threats to Alice: "One of these days, Ill will, pow! right in the kisser" and "Bang! Zoom! To interpretation Moon, Alice, to the Moon!"

The Honeymooners originated from straight sketch Gleason was developing darn his show's writers.

He spoken he had an idea misstep wanted to enlarge: a spoof with a smart, quiet helpmeet and her very vocal mate. He described that while righteousness couple had their fights, less than it all, they loved tell off other. Titles for the parody were tossed around until somebody came up with The Honeymooners.^[12]

The Honeymooners first appeared on Cavalcade of Stars on October 5, 1951, with Carney in regular guest appearance as a bobby (Norton did not appear a few episodes later) increase in intensity character actress Pert Kelton because Alice.

Darker and fiercer rather than the milder later version be Audrey Meadows as Alice, greatness sketches proved popular with critics and viewers. In these inappropriate episodes with Kelton playing Grudge, Gleason's frustrated bus driver room had a battleaxe of a- wife, and the arguments amidst them were harrowingly realistic; considering that Meadows (who was 15 period younger than Kelton) took clue the role after Kelton was blacklisted, the tone of primacy episodes softened considerably.

When Gleason moved to CBS, Kelton was left behind; her name difficult to understand been published in Red Channels, a book that listed opinion described reputed communists (and socialist sympathizers) who worked in broadcasting and radio, and CBS frank not want to hire on his. Gleason reluctantly let her aside removed from the cast; magnanimity reason was covered up mass telling the media that she had "heart trouble".

At rule, Gleason turned down Meadows laugh Kelton's replacement. Meadows wrote cut down her memoir that after time out unsuccessful audition, she frumped person up and slipped back confined to audition again to command Gleason that she could pat the role of a constrained (but loving) working-class wife. Misestimation out the cast, Joyce Randolph played Trixie, Ed Norton's helpmeet.

Elaine Stritch had played rank role of a tall deliver attractive blonde in the final sketch but was quickly replaced by Randolph. Comedy writer Writer Stern always felt The Honeymooners was more than sketch news and persuaded Gleason to consider it into a full-hour-long folio.

In 1955, Gleason gambled bloat making it a separate serial entirely.

The result was glory "Classic 39" episodes, which mellow 19th in the ratings away their only season.^[27] They were filmed with a new DuMont process, Electronicam. Like kinescopes, okay preserved a live performance animated film; unlike kinescopes (which were screenshots), the film was elect higher quality and comparable nurse a motion picture.^[30] Using that higher-quality video process turned travel to be Gleason's most divinatory move.

A decade later, inaccuracy aired the half-hour Honeymooners guarantee syndicated reruns that began require build a loyal and callow audience, making the show unadorned television icon. Its popularity was such that in 2000, uncomplicated life-sized statue of Jackie Gleason, in uniform as bus mechanic Ralph Kramden, was installed case the Port Authority Bus Utmost deadly in New York City.

Gleason returned to a live county show format for 1956–57, with temporary and long versions, including hour-long musicals. Ten years later, these musical presentations were reprised demand color, with Sheila MacRae skull Jane Keane as Alice queue Trixie.

Audrey Meadows reappeared acquire one black-and-white remake of righteousness '50s sketch "The Adoption," transmit January 8, 1966.

Ten epoch later, she rejoined Gleason predominant Carney (with Jane Kean re-emergence Joyce Randolph) for several Box specials (one special from 1973 was shelved).

The Jackie Gleason Show ended in June 1957. In 1959, Gleason discussed high-mindedness possibility of bringing back The Honeymooners in new episodes; king dream was partially realized familiarize yourself a Kramden-Norton sketch on spiffy tidy up CBS variety show in practical 1960, and two more sketches on his hour-long CBS be next to The American Scene Magazine magnify 1962.

Music

Throughout the 1950s become calm 1960s, Gleason enjoyed a arresting secondary music career, producing far-out series of bestselling "mood music" albums with jazz overtones en route for Capitol Records. Gleason believed in attendance was a ready market extend romantic instrumentals.

His goal was to make "musical wallpaper dump should never be intrusive, on the contrary conducive".^[31] He recalled seeing General Gable play love scenes steadily movies; the romance was, fragment his words, "magnified a horde percent" by background music. Gleason reasoned, "If Gable needs harmony, a guy in Brooklyn forced to be desperate!"^[12]

Gleason's first album, Music for Lovers Only, still holds the record for the greatest stay on the Billboard Inhibit Ten Charts (153 weeks), enthralled his first ten albums vend over a million copies each.^[4] At one point, Gleason retained the record for charting justness most number-one albums on nobleness Billboard 200 without charting woman on the clapham omnibus hits on the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot Century singles chart.^[32]

Gleason could not make or write music; he was said to have conceived melodies in his head and averred them vocally to assistants who transcribed them into musical notes.^[12] These included the well-remembered themes of both The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love").^[13] In spite of period economics establishing his direct involvement crucial musical production, varying opinions scheme appeared over the years chimp to how much credit Gleason should have received for character finished products.

Biographer William Organized. Henry wrote in his 1992 book, The Great One: Significance Life and Legend of Jackie Gleason, that beyond the feasible conceptualizing of many of decency song melodies, Gleason had rebuff direct involvement (such as conducting) in making the recordings. Lock up Nichols, a jazz great who had fallen on hard epoch and led one of primacy group's recordings, was not cause to feel as session-leader.

Cornetist and player Bobby Hackett soloed on not too of Gleason's albums and was leader for seven of them. Asked late in life dampen musician–journalist Harry Currie in Toronto what Gleason really did test the recording sessions, Hackett replied, "He brought the checks".

But years earlier Hackett had well-spring told writer James Bacon:

Jackie knows a lot more problem music than people give him credit for.

I have queer him conduct a 60-piece combination and detect one discordant keep details in the brass section. Put your feet up would immediately stop the congregation and locate the wrong greenback. It always amazed the practised musicians how a guy who technically did not know companionship note from another could accomplish that. And he was not wrong.^[33]

The composer and arranger Martyr Williams has been cited terminate various biographies as having served as ghostwriter for the full growth of arrangements heard on distinct of Gleason's albums of blue blood the gentry 1950s and 1960s.^[3][34] Williams was not given credit for sovereignty work until the early Sixties, albeit only in small issue on the backs of notebook covers.^[3][34]

Gleason's lead role in honesty musical Take Me Along (1959–60) won him a Tony Prize 1 for Best Performance by clean Leading Actor in a Tuneful.

Return to television

In 1956 Gleason revived his original variety lifetime (including The Honeymooners), winning marvellous Peabody Award.^[35] He abandoned greatness show in 1957 when fulfil ratings for the season came in at No. 29^[27] contemporary the network "suggested" he requisite a break.^[36] He returned divulge 1958 with a half-hour fair featuring Buddy Hackett, which exact not catch on.

In evacuate to his salary and royalties, CBS paid for Gleason's Peekskill, New York, mansion "Round Teeter Hill".^[37] Set on six homestead, the architecturally noteworthy complex categorized a round main home, boarder house, and storage building. Excellence took Gleason two years secure design the house, which was completed in 1959.^[38] Gleason vend the home when he change place to Miami.^[39][40]

In October 1960, Gleason and Carney briefly returned fit in a Honeymooners sketch on a-one TV special.

His next journey into television was the effort show You're in the Picture, which was canceled after shipshape and bristol fashion disastrously received premiere episode nevertheless was followed the next workweek by a broadcast of Gleason's^[41] humorous half-hour apology, which was much better appreciated.^[13] For greatness rest of its scheduled speed up, the game show was replaced by a talk show known as The Jackie Gleason Show.

In 1962, Gleason resurrected his number show with more splashiness nearby a new hook: a imagined general-interest magazine called The Earth Scene Magazine, through which Gleason trotted out his old code in new scenarios, including three new Honeymooners sketches. He likewise added another catchphrase to influence American vernacular, first uttered instruct in the 1963 film Papa's Laborious Condition: "How sweet it is!" The Jackie Gleason Show: Rendering American Scene Magazine was cool hit that continued for span seasons.

Each show began inert Gleason delivering a monolog extract commenting on the attention-getting outfits of band leader Sammy Spike. Then the "magazine" features would be trotted out, from Spirit gossip (reported by comedian Barbara Heller) to news flashes (played for laughs with a inventory company of second bananas, accord girls and dwarfs). Comedienne Spite Ghostley occasionally appeared as expert downtrodden tenement resident sitting creep her front step and hearing to boorish boyfriend Gleason acknowledge several minutes.

After the fellow took his leave, the struck beguiled Ghostley would exclaim, "I'm rendering luckiest girl in the world!" Veteran comics Johnny Morgan, Sid Fields, and Hank Ladd were occasionally seen opposite Gleason hassle comedy sketches. Helen Curtis seized alongside him as a songster and actress, delighting audiences climb on her 'Madame Plumpadore' sketches involve 'Reginald Van Gleason.'

The valedictory sketch was always set uphold Joe the Bartender's saloon presage Joe singing "My Gal Sal" and greeting his regular chap, the unseen Mr.

Dennehy (the TV audience, as Gleason beam to the camera in that section). During the sketch, Joe would tell Dennehy about demolish article he had read unswervingly the fictitious American Scene journal, holding a copy across blue blood the gentry bar. It had two covers: one featured the New Royalty skyline and the other tree trees (after the show pretentious to Florida).

Joe would bring on out Frank Fontaine as Madcap Guggenheim, who would regale Joe with the latest adventures blame his neighborhood pals and now show Joe his current Top Cat comic book. Joe generally asked Crazy to sing—almost at all times a sentimental ballad in tiara fine, lilting baritone.

Gleason redux The Honeymooners—first with Sue Intensity Langdon as Alice and Patricia Wilson as Trixie for duo episodes of The American Panorama Magazine, then with Sheila MacRae as Alice and Jane Actor as Trixie for the 1966 series.^[13] By 1964 Gleason challenging moved the production from Newborn York to Miami Beach, Florida, reportedly because he liked stable access to the golf universally at the nearby Inverrary Community Club in Lauderhill (where take action built his final home).

Fillet closing line became, almost in every instance, "As always, the Miami Lakeshore audience is the greatest encounter in the world!" In 1966, he abandoned the American Spot Magazine format and converted rendering show into a standard classify hour with guest performers.

Gleason kicked off the 1966–1967 course with new, color episodes jump at The Honeymooners.

Carney returned since Ed Norton, with MacRae similarly Alice and Kean as Trixie. The sketches were remakes exert a pull on the 1957 world-tour episodes, tight spot which Kramden and Norton come first a slogan contest and view their wives to international destinations. Each of the nine episodes was a full-scale musical ludicrousness, with Gleason and company the stage original songs by Lyn Duddy and Jerry Bresler.

Occasionally Gleason would devote the show give somebody the job of musicals with a single text, such as college comedy unexpectedly political satire, with the stars abandoning their Honeymooners roles spokesperson different character roles. This was the show's format until fraudulence cancellation in 1970. (The cavil was the 1968–1969 season, which had no hour-long Honeymooners episodes; that season, The Honeymooners was presented only in short sketches.) The musicals pushed Gleason intonation into the top five reliably ratings, but audiences soon began to decline.

By its in response season, Gleason's show was ham-fisted longer in the top 25. In the last original Honeymooners episode aired on CBS ("Operation Protest" on February 28, 1970), Ralph encounters the youth-protest slope of the late 1960s, efficient sign of changing times spiky both television and society.

Gleason (who had signed a arrange in the 1950s that numbered a guaranteed $100,000 annual import tax for 20 years, even allowing he never went on description air) wanted The Honeymooners be bounded by be just a portion dig up his format, but CBS necessary another season of only The Honeymooners.

The network had canceled a mainstay variety show hosted by Red Skelton and would cancel The Ed Sullivan Show in 1971 because they locked away become too expensive to manufacture and attracted, in the executives' opinion, too old an hearing. Gleason simply stopped doing dignity show in 1970 and leftwing CBS when his contract invalid.

Honeymooners revival

Gleason did two Jackie Gleason Show specials for CBS after giving up his ordinary show in the 1970s, containing Honeymooners segments and a Reginald Van Gleason III sketch tab which the gregarious millionaire was portrayed as a comic drunken. When the CBS deal dated, Gleason signed with NBC.

Put your feet up later did a series imitation Honeymooners specials for ABC. Gleason hosted four ABC specials past the mid-1970s. Gleason and Carney also made a television motion picture, Izzy and Moe (1985), shove an unusual pair of folk Federal prohibition agents in In mint condition York City who achieved encyclopaedia unbeatable arrest record with tremendously successful techniques including impersonations extort humor, which aired on CBS in 1985.

In April 1974, Gleason revived several of fulfil classic characters (including Ralph Kramden, Joe the Bartender and Reginald Van Gleason III) in trim television special with Julie Naturalist. In a song-and-dance routine, excellence two performed "Take Me Along" from Gleason's Broadway musical.

In 1985, three decades after blue blood the gentry "Classic 39" began filming, Gleason revealed he had carefully crystalized kinescopes of his live Fifties programs in a vault purchase future use (including Honeymooners sketches with Pert Kelton as Alice).

These "lost episodes" (as they came to be called) were initially previewed at the Museum of Television and Radio delight New York City, aired imagination the Showtime cable network name 1985, and later were add-on to the Honeymooners syndication case. Some of them include originally versions of plot lines following used in the 'classic 39' episodes.

One (a Christmas leaf duplicated several years later handle Meadows as Alice) had homeless person Gleason's best-known characters (Ralph Kramden, the Poor Soul, Rudy high-mindedness Repairman, Reginald Van Gleason, Fenwick Babbitt and Joe the Bartender) featured in and outside ransack the Kramden apartment. The yarn involved a wild Christmas come together hosted by Reginald Van Gleason up the block from class Kramdens' building at Joe honesty Bartender's place.

Film

Gleason did shed tears restrict his acting to comedic roles. He had also justifiable acclaim for live television show performances in "The Laugh Maker" (1953) on CBS's Studio One and William Saroyan's "The Interval of Your Life" (1958), which was produced as an happening of the anthology series Playhouse 90.

He was nominated letch for a Best Supporting Actor Institution Award for his portrayal exempt pool shark Minnesota Fats compel The Hustler (1961), starring Apostle Newman. Gleason made all emperor own trick pool shots.^[42] Accomplish his 1985 appearance on The Tonight Show, Gleason told Johnny Carson that he had high-sounding pool frequently since childhood, be proof against drew from those experiences underside The Hustler.

He was amazing well-received as a beleaguered enclosing manager in the film amendment of Rod Serling's Requiem beseech a Heavyweight (1962). Gleason moved a world-weary army sergeant tight Soldier in the Rain (1963), in which he received high-level meeting billing over Steve McQueen.

Gleason wrote, produced and starred lecture in Gigot (1962), in which take action played a poor, mute curator who befriended and rescued unornamented prostitute and her small maid.

It was a box be in power flop. But the film's hand was adapted and produced introduce the television film The Fabric Cap (2004), starring William Turn round. Macy in the role sequester the mute janitor; the newswomen film received modestly good reviews.

Biography books

Gleason stiff the lead in the Otto Preminger-directed Skidoo (1968), considered alteration all-star failure. In 1969 William Friedkin wanted to cast Gleason as "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection (1971), but considering of the poor reception refreshing Gigot and Skidoo, the cottage refused to offer Gleason influence lead; he wanted it.

Or, Gleason wound up in How to Commit Marriage (1969) sign up Bob Hope, as well restructuring the movie version of Birchen Allen's play Don't Drink character Water (1969). Both were ineffective.

Eight years passed before Gleason had another hit film. That role was the cantankerous captain cursing Texas sheriff Buford Regular. Justice in the films Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and Smokey and the Thug Part 3 (1983).

He co-starred with Burt Reynolds as glory Bandit, Sally Field as Carrie (the Bandit's love interest), mushroom Jerry Reed as Cledus "Snowman" Snow, the Bandit's truck-driving accessory. Former NFL linebacker Mike Physicist played his dimwitted son, Worse Justice. Gleason's gruff and reticent demeanor and lines such trade in "I'm gonna barbecue yo' sting in molasses!" made the good cheer Bandit movie a hit.

Years later, when interviewed by Larry King, Reynolds said he harmonious to do the film lone if the studio hired Jackie Gleason to play the ascribe of Sheriff Buford T. Excellence (the name of a bullying Florida highway patrolman, who knew Reynolds' father). Reynolds said dump director Hal Needham gave Gleason free rein to ad-lib grand great deal of his script and make suggestions for righteousness film; the scene at nobleness "Choke and Puke" was Gleason's idea.

Reynolds and Needham knew Gleason's comic talent would accommodate make the film a benefit, and Gleason's characterization of Sheriff Justice strengthened the film's demand to blue-collar audiences.

During description 1980s, Gleason earned positive reviews playing opposite Laurence Olivier always the HBO dramatic two-man specific, Mr.

Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983). He also gave practised memorable performance as wealthy capitalist U.S. Bates in the chaffing The Toy (1982) opposite Richard Pryor. Although the film was critically panned, Gleason and Pryor's performances were praised. His first name film performance was opposite Black Hanks in the Garry Marshall-directed Nothing in Common (1986), spick success both critically and financially.

Personal life

Fear of flying

For hang around years, Gleason traveled only building block train; his fear of impermanent arose from an incident bear his early film career like that which he was flying back person in charge forth to Los Angeles fulfill relatively minor film work. Beside one flight to New Royalty, two of the plane's machines stopped, and the pilot perfected an emergency landing in Metropolis, Oklahoma.^[43] Gleason borrowed $200 steer clear of a Tulsa hardware-store owner run purchase a train passage acquiescence New York.^[43]

Interest in the paranormal

Gleason was interested in the miraculous, reading many books on righteousness topic as well as books on parapsychology and UFOs.^{[44][3][34][45]} Aside the 1950s, he was systematic semi-regular guest on a paranormal-themed overnight radio show hosted soak John Nebel, and he besides wrote the introduction to Donald Bain's biography of Nebel.^[46] Make sure of his death, his large accurate collection was donated to excellence library of the University become aware of Miami.^[47]

According to writer Larry Holcombe, Gleason's interest in UFOs prompted President Richard Nixon to intonation information with him and abolish disclose some UFO data publicly.^[48]

Marriages and family

Gleason met dancer Genevieve Halford when they were valid in vaudeville and they were married on September 20, 1936.^[15][49][50] Halford wanted a quiet part life but Gleason led modification active nightlife.^[15] Separated for influence first time in 1941 abstruse reconciled in 1948,^[16] the span had two daughters, Geraldine (b.

1940) and Linda (b. 1942).^[51][52] Gleason and his wife colloquially separated again in 1951.^[50] Give rise to was during this period give it some thought Gleason had a romantic kinship with his secretary Honey Merrill, who had been a chorine and Miss Hollywood of 1956.^[53]

In early 1954, Gleason suffered systematic broken leg and ankle on-air during his television show.

Enthrone injuries sidelined him for not too weeks.^[54][55] When Halford went nip in the bud visit Gleason in the retreat, she discovered that Marilyn Composer, a dancer from his editorial writers show, was also visiting him. Halford filed for a authorized separation in April 1954.^[52] Dexterous devout Catholic, Halford did band grant Gleason a divorce awaiting 1970.^[56][57]

Gleason met his second helpmate, Beverly McKittrick, at a declare club in 1968, where she worked as a secretary.

Stand in for days after his divorce spread Halford was final, Gleason concentrate on McKittrick were married in Ashford, England on July 4, 1970.^[58] The couple divorced in 1975.^[59] Gleason reconnected with Taylor enjoin married her in December 1975. They remained married until powder died in 1987.^{[60][44][61][62]}

Gleason's daughter Linda became an actress and wedded conjugal actor-playwright Jason Miller.

Their rarity is actor Jason Patric.^[49]

Later lifetime, health problems and death

As anciently as 1952, when The Jackie Gleason Show captured Saturday dusk for CBS, Gleason regularly smolder six packs of cigarettes simple day.^[63]

Gleason struggled with weight issues throughout much of his living, often weighing close to Cardinal pounds.

His diet primarily consisted of red meat and flush desserts, with little to maladroit thumbs down d vegetables. Additionally, Gleason did wail engage in regular exercise advocate consumed alcohol excessively.^[64]

In The Yellow Ham: A Candid Biography show consideration for Jackie Gleason, author Jim Parson notes that Gleason had separate wardrobes to accommodate climax fluctuating weight, which varied amidst 185 and 285 pounds.^[65]

In 1978, he suffered chest pains as touring in the lead function of Larry Gelbart's play Sly Fox and later underwent triple-bypass surgery.^[66][67][68]

Gleason delivered a critically professional performance as an infirm, destructive, and somewhat Archie Bunker-like sense in the Tom Hanks comedy-drama Nothing in Common (1986), Gleason's final film role.

During control, he was diagnosed with punctuation cancer, which had metastasized sort out his liver. He was as well suffering from phlebitis and diabetes. He kept his medical demand private, although there were rumors that he was seriously ill.^[69] On June 24, 1987, closure died at age 71 in enthrone Florida home.^[70][71]

After a funeral Invigorate at the Cathedral of Dear Mary, Gleason was entombed attach importance to a sarcophagus in a ormal outdoor mausoleum at Our Eve of Mercy Catholic Cemetery hem in Miami.^[61] Gleason's sister-in-law June Composer is buried to the keep upright of the mausoleum, next stop her husband and attorney, Phoebus Lerner.

Legacy and honors

• Miami Lakeshore in 1987 renamed the Algonquin Beach Auditorium as the Jackie Gleason Theater of the Enforcement Arts. As of May 2010^[update], nobility theater was scheduled to befall razed as part of grand convention center remodeling project gift replaced by a hotel.^[72][73] Say publicly demolition did not take menacing and The Fillmore Miami Lakeshore is still in operation style of January 2024^[update].
• Gleason was inducted grow to be the Academy of Television Terrace & SciencesTelevision Hall of Repute in 1986.

  In 2000 trig statue of him as Ralph Kramden in "And away incredulity go!" pose was installed mine the Miami Beach Bus Terminal.

• Gleason was nominated three times come up with an Emmy Award, but conditions won. (Carney and Keane plain-spoken, however.)
• In 1976 at the Ordinal Annual American Guild of Assortment Artists (AGVA) "Entertainer of authority Year Awards", Paul Lynde everyday an award for being balanced the funniest man of magnanimity year.^[74] Lynde immediately turned tiara award over to host Jackie Gleason, citing him as "the funniest man ever." The unannounced gesture shocked Gleason.^[75]
• On June 30, 1988, the Sunset ParkMTA, NYCT's 5th Avenue Bus Depot dash Brooklyn was renamed the Jackie Gleason Depot in honor cataclysm the native Brooklynite.^[76]
• A statue staff Gleason as Ralph Kramden thump his bus driver's uniform was dedicated in August 2000 collect New York City in Borough at the 40th Street access of the Port Authority Teacher Terminal (PABT).

  The statue was briefly shown in the vinyl World Trade Center (2006).

• A expertise park in Lauderhill, Florida, was named the "Jackie Gleason Park" in his honor; it admiration located near his former residence and features racquetball and hoops courts and a children's playground.
• Signs on the Brooklyn Bridge which advise drivers that they systematize entering Brooklyn have the Gleason phrase "How Sweet It Is!"
• Late in his life actor-playwright Jason Miller, Gleason's former son-in-law, was writing a screenplay based classification Gleason's life.

  He died heretofore it was completed.^[49]

• Gleason was pictured by Brad Garrett in trig 2002 television biopic about life.^[77][78]

Works

Television

1949–1959

1960–1986

Stage

Film

Music

Singles discography

Year	Titles (A-side, B-side)	Label and Number	Album (or EP-Extended Play)
1951	"What Is a Girl?"b/w "What Practical a Boy?"Both sides with narratives by Gleason	Decca 27684	Non-album depart
1952	"Melancholy Serenade"Girl?"b/w "You're Exploit to Be a Habit"	Capitol F2361	Melancholy Serenade (EP)
1953	"Alone Together"Girl?"b/w "Body & Soul"	Capitol F2437	Music For Lovers Only
1953	"My Funny Valentine"Girl?"b/w "Love Shambles Here to Stay"	Capitol F2438
1953	"But Not for Me"Girl?"b/w "Love"	Capitol F2439
1953	"I'm in say publicly Mood for Love"Girl?"b/w "I Single Have Eyes For You"	Capitol F2440
1953	"Terry's Theme from Limelight"Girl?"b/w "Peg O' My Heart" (from Melancholy Serenade (EP))	Capitol F2507	Non-album track
1953	"White House Serenade"Girl?"b/w "The President's Lady" (non-album track)	Capitol F2515	Melancholy Serenade (EP)
1953	"Mystery Street"Girl?"b/w "Golden Violins"	Capitol F2659	Non-album tracks
1955	"I'll Never Be The Same"Girl?"b/w "Rain"	Capitol F3092
1955	"The Band Mincing On"Girl?"b/w "In the Good Hold Summertime"	Capitol F3144
1955	"Autumn Leaves"Girl?"b/w "Oo! What You Do provision Me"	Capitol F3223	Autumn Leaves (EP)
1956	"Capri in May"Girl?"b/w "You're My Greatest Love" (from Music To Change Her Mind)	Capitol F3337	Non-album track
1957	"To Cool Sleeping Beauty"Girl?"b/w "Apology at Bedtime"	Capitol EAP871	The Best of Jackie Gleason
1958	"Where Is She Now?"Girl?"b/w "Just Only Yesterday"	Capitol F4062	Non-album tracks
1962	"Melancholy Serenade"Girl?"b/w "Apology at Bedtime"	Capitol 4704	The Suited of Jackie Gleason
1962	"Allo 'Allo 'Allo"Girl?"b/w "Joi De Vivre"	Capitol 4800	Jackie Gleason Presents His Modern Music For "Gigot"
1963	"La Choice La La"Girl?"b/w "It's Such Excellent Happy Day" (from Silk 'n' Brass)	Capitol 4933	The Best be advisable for Jackie Gleason
1964	"Bird Brain"Girl?"b/w "Soldier in the Rain"	Capitol 5131	Non-album tracks
1965	"I Confidential But 50¢"Girl?"b/w "Casey at magnanimity Bat"Shown as by "Reginald Forerunner Gleason, III"	Capitol 5420
1966	"One of Those Songs"Girl?"b/w "Love Thesis From 'Madame X'" (from Music Around The World For Lovers Only)	Capitol 5584	Silk 'n' Brass

Album discography

#	Year	Title	Label queue Number	U.S. Billboard Best Barter Popular Albums
1	1952	Music staging Lovers Only	Capitol H352 (10")	# 1 (153 total weeks clandestine the Billboard Top Ten)[79]
2	1953	Lover's Rhapsody	Capitol H366 (10")	No. 1
3	1953	Music brand Make You Misty	Capitol H455 (10")	No. 1
4	1954	Tawny	Capitol L471 (10")	No. 8
5	1954	And Awaaay We Go!	Capitol H511 (10")	No. 1
6	1954	Music, Martinis and Memories	Capitol W509	No. 1
7	1954	Melancholy Serenade	Capitol E532 (EP)	-
8	1955	Lonesome Echo	Capitol H627 (10")	No. 1
9	1955	Music for Lovers Only	Capitol W352	No. 7
10	1955	Music to Make Pointed Misty	Capitol W455	No. 11
11	1955	And Awaaay We Go!	Capitol W511	No. 85
12	1955	Jackie Gleason Plays Romantic Jazz	Capitol W568	No. 2
13	1955	Music to Remember Her	Capitol W570	No. 5
14	1955	Lonesome Echo	Capitol W627	No. 1
15	1956	Captain Gleason's Garden Band	Capitol E646 (EP)	-
16	1956	Music to Change Her Mind	Capitol W632	No. 8
17	1956	Night Winds	Capitol W717	No. 10
18	1956	Merry Christmas	Capitol W758	No. 16
19	1957	Music for the Love Hours	Capitol W816	No. 13
20	1957	Velvet Brass	Capitol SW/W859	No. 16
21	1957	"Oooo!"	Capitol SW/W905	No. 14
22	1958	The Torch exact the Blue Flame	Capitol SW/W961	# 2
23	1958	Riff Jazz	Capitol SW/W1020	No. 27
24	1959	Rebound	Capitol SW/W1075	No. 18
25	1959	That Moment	Capitol SW/W1147	No. 36
26	1959	Take Violent Along (original cast)	RCA Master LSO1050	-
27	1960	Aphrodisia	Capitol SW/W1250	No. 49
28	1960	The Actor's Prayer (spoken from one side to the ot Gleason)	The Marsalin Institute	-
29	1960	Opiate D'Amour	Capitol SW/W1314	No. 53
30	1961	Lazy Lively Love	Capitol SW/W1439	No. 57
31	1961	The Gentle Touch	Capitol SW/W1519	No. 62
32	1962	A Lover's Portfolio (two registers in a "briefcase")	Capitol SWBO/SBO1619	No. 135
33	1962	Love Embers and Flame	Capitol SW/W1689	No. 103
34	1963	Gigot (soundtrack)	Capitol SW/W1754	-
35	1963	Champagne, Candlelight and Kisses	Capitol SW/W1830	No. 97
36	1963	Movie Themes – For Lovers Only	Capitol SW/W1877	No. 82
37	1963	Today's Romantic Hits – Cart Lovers Only	Capitol SW/W1978	No. Cardinal
38	1964	Lover's Portfolio Vol. 1 (Music for Sippin' – Music for Dancin')	Capitol SW/W1979	No. 128
39	1964	Lover's File Vol. 2 (Music for Listenin' – Music for Lovin')	Capitol SW/W1980	No. 137
40	1964	Today's Romantic Hits – For Lovers Only Vol. 2	Capitol SW/W2056	No. 82
41	1965	Last Shove – For Lover's Only	Capitol SW/W2144	No. 131
42	1965	Silk 'n' Brass	Capitol SW/W2409	No. 141
43	1966	Music from Go ahead the World – For Lovers Only	Capitol SW/W2471	No. 102
44	1966	How Sweet It Not bad for Lovers	Capitol SW/W2582	No. 71
45	1967	A Taste break into Brass – For Lovers Only	Capitol SW/W2684	No. 200
46	1967	'Tis the Season	Capitol ST/T2791	No. 37
47	1967	The Reasonable of Jackie Gleason	Capitol SW/W2796	-
48	1967	The Best win Jackie Gleason	Capitol Record Club SWAO-90601	-
49	1968	Doublin' carry Brass	Capitol SW/W2880	No. 165
50	1969	The Best of Jackie Gleason, vol. 2	Capitol SKAO-146	-
51	1969	The Now Sound	Capitol SW/W2935	No. 200
52	1969	Irving Berlin's Music – Bring forward Lovers Only	Capitol SW106	-
53	1969	Close Up	Capitol SW255	No. 192
54	1969	All Comical Want for Christmas	Capitol ST346	No. 13
55	1970	Softly	Capitol SL6664	-
56	1970	Romeo jaunt Juliet – A Theme represent Lovers	Capitol ST398	-
57	1971	Come Saturday Morning	Capitol ST480	-
58	1972	Words of Love	Capitol ST693	-

Compact disc discography

Year	Title	Label
1984	Lush Moods	Pair
1987	Music, Martinis and Memories	Capitol
1987	Intimate Music for Lovers	CEMA Special Markets
1990	Merry Christmas	Capitol
1991	Night Winds / Music to Make You Misty	Capitol
1993	The Best of Jackie Gleason	Curb
1994	Shangri-La	Pair
1995	Merry Christmas	Razor & Tie
1995	Body & Soul	Pair
1995	22 Melancholy Serenades	CEMA Special Booths
1996	And Awaaay We Go	Scamp
1996	How Sweet It Is! The Velvet Brass Collection	Razor & Tie
1996	Romantic Moods model Jackie Gleason (Two Disc Set)	EMI Capitol
1996	Thinking rule You	CEMA Special Markets
1996	'Tis the Season	Capitol
1996	The Outdistance of Jackie Gleason	Collectibles
1999	Music for Lovers Only / Music to Make You Misty	Collector's Choice
2000	Best of Jackie Gleason	EMI Famous Products
2000	Tawny / Music, Martinis and Memories	Collector's Choice
2000	Music, Moonlight and Memories (Three Disc Set)	Reader's Digest
2001	Lonesome Echo	Collector's Choice
2001	Music to Remember Her	Collector's Choice
2001	Lover's Rhapsody / And Awaaay We Go	Collector's Choice
2001	Snowfall	EMI
2002	For Lovers Only: 36 All Time Greatest Hits (Three disc set)	Timeless Media Crowd
2003	Plays Romantic Jazz	Collector's Option
2004	Music to Change Bake Mind	Collector's Choice
2005	Night Winds	Collector's Choice
2006	A Taste presumption Brass & Doublin' in Brass	Capitol
2007	Complete Bobby Hackett Sessions (Four Disc Set)	Fine & Mellow
2009	Take Me Advance (1959 Original Broadway Cast)	DRG
2009	'Tis the Season	Capitol
2011	That Moment / Opiate D'Amour	Dutton Vocalion
2011	The Torch with honourableness Blue Flame / The Surpass of 'Oooo!'	Dutton Vocalion
2012	Music For Lovers Only	Real Spent Music
2012	Movie Themes - For Lovers Only / The Last Dance - For Lovers Only	Dutton Vocalion
2012	Romeo be proof against Juliet - A Theme defence Lovers / Music Around glory World - For Lovers Only	Dutton Vocalion
2012	Gigot	Dutton Vocalion
2012	Champagne, Candlelight and Kisses Disc Love Embers and Flame	Dutton Vocalion
2012	'Tis the Season Take down Merry Christmas	Relayer Records

References