02/26/1916
Brooklyn, 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).
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John Candy: I Like Me (2025) as Self - Actor (archive footage) |
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Mike Wallace Is Here (2019) as Self (archive footage) |
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Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work (2006) as Self (archive footage) |
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Pioneers of Primetime (2005) as |
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The Honeymooners Holiday Classics (2002) as Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited) |
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The Hustler: The Inside Story (2002) as Self (archive footage) |
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The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1 (2001) as Self (archive footage) |
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The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2 (2001) as Self (archive footage) |
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The Very Best of the Honeymooners (2000) as Ralph Kramden |
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The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) as Self - Roastee (archive footage) |
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A Bing Crosby Christmas (1998) as Self (archive footage) |
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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) |
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Jackie Gleason: The Great One (1988) as Self (archive footage) |
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Nothing in Common (1986) as Max Basner |
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Izzy & Moe (1985) as Izzy Einstein |
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Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983) as Ernest Johnson |
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Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) as Buford T. Justice |
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The Sting II (1983) as Fargo Gondorff |
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The Toy (1982) as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates |
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All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds (1981) as Self |
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Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice |
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The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1978) as Ralph Kramden |
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The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special (1978) as Ralph Kramden |
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The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol (1977) as Ralph Kramden |
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Smokey and the Bandit (1977) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice |
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Mr. Billion (1977) as John Cutler |
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Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage) |
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The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon (1976) as Ralph Kramden |
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Three for Two (1975) as Herb / Fred / Mike |
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How Do I Love Thee? (1970) as Stanley Waltz |
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Don't Drink the Water (1969) as Walter Hollander |
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How to Commit Marriage (1969) as Oliver Poe |
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Skidoo (1968) as Tough Tony Banks |
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The Movie Orgy (1968) as Self (archive footage) |
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Soldier in the Rain (1963) as Maxwell Slaughter |
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Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) as Jack Griffith |
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Gigot (1962) as Gigot |
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Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) as Maish Rennick |
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The Hustler (1961) as Minnesota Fats |
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The Million Dollar Incident (1961) as Self |
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The Fabulous Fifties (1960) as Self |
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The Desert Hawk (1950) as Aladdin |
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Springtime in the Rockies (1942) as Commissioner (uncredited) |
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Orchestra Wives (1942) as Ben Beck |
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Escape from Crime (1942) as Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason) |
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Larceny, Inc. (1942) as Hobart |
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Tramp, Tramp, Tramp! (1942) as Hank |
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Lady Gangster (1942) as Wilson |
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All Through the Night (1942) as Starchy |
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Steel Against the Sky (1941) as Cliff (uncredited) |
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Navy Blues (1941) as 'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason) |
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The Honeymooners (2005) Original Series Creator |
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The Wool Cap (2004) Story |
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Izzy & Moe (1985) Original Music Composer |
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The Honeymooners Christmas Special (1978) Director |
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The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special (1978) Director |
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The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special (1978) Original Music Composer |
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The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol (1977) Director |
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The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon (1976) Director |
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Gigot (1962) Writer |
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Gigot (1962) Original Music Composer |
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The Million Dollar Incident (1961) Story |