Jackie Gleason
Known for Acting · 72 credits
- Born
- 1916-02-26
- Died
- 1987-06-24
- Place of birth
- Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Also known as
- Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. · John Herbert Gleason · Jackie C. 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).
Known For
TV Shows (21)
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
What's My Line?
1950
as Self
Tony Awards
1956
as Self - Presenter
Studio One
1948
as Jerry Giles / Sam Wheeler / Uncle Eddie Doyle
The Red Skelton Show
1951
as Reginald van Gleason III / cameo
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Here's Lucy
1968
as Ralph Kramden (uncredited)
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self
The Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self
The Jack Benny Program
1950
as Jackie Gleason
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine
1962
as Himself
Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974
as Self
The David Susskind Show
1959
as Self
The Honeymooners
1955
as Ralph Kramden
The Captain and Tennille
1976
as Self - Guest
Small World
1958
as Self
The Life of Riley
1949
as Chester A. Riley
The Jackie Gleason Show
1966
as Self - Host
You're in the Picture
1961
as Host
Cavalcade of Stars
1949
as Fenwick Babbitt
Movies (51)
Smokey and the Bandit
1977
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
The Hustler
1961
as Minnesota Fats
John Candy: I Like Me
2025
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
Smokey and the Bandit II
1980
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
1983
as Buford T. Justice
The Toy
1982
as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates
All Through the Night
1942
as Starchy
The Sting II
1983
as Fargo Gondorff
Nothing in Common
1986
as Max Basner
The Movie Orgy
1968
as Self (archive footage)
Mr. Billion
1977
as John Cutler
Skidoo
1968
as Tough Tony Banks
Orchestra Wives
1942
as Ben Beck
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
2001
as Self (archive footage)
Requiem for a Heavyweight
1962
as Maish Rennick
Steel Against the Sky
1941
as Cliff (uncredited)
Papa's Delicate Condition
1963
as Jack Griffith
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!
1942
as Hank
Don't Drink the Water
1969
as Walter Hollander
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976
as Self (archive footage)
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
Lady Gangster
1942
as Wilson
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
2001
as Self (archive footage)
The Fabulous Fifties
1960
as Self
Soldier in the Rain
1963
as Maxwell Slaughter
The Desert Hawk
1950
as Aladdin
Springtime in the Rockies
1942
as Commissioner (uncredited)
Gigot
1962
as Gigot
Izzy & Moe
1985
as Izzy Einstein
Jackie Gleason: The Great One
1988
as Self (archive footage)
Mike Wallace Is Here
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Escape from Crime
1942
as Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)
Three for Two
1975
as Herb / Fred / Mike
Navy Blues
1941
as 'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)
Larceny, Inc.
1942
as Hobart
A Bing Crosby Christmas
1998
as Self (archive footage)
The Hustler: The Inside Story
2002
as Self (archive footage)
The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon
1976
as Ralph Kramden
Pioneers of Primetime
2005
The Very Best of the Honeymooners
2000
as Ralph Kramden
The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol
1977
as Ralph Kramden
How to Commit Marriage
1969
as Oliver Poe
How Do I Love Thee?
1970
as Stanley Waltz
All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds
1981
as Self
The Honeymooners Christmas Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden
Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work
2006
as Self (archive footage)
The Million Dollar Incident
1961
as Self
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)
The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson
1983
as Ernest Johnson
The Honeymooners Holiday Classics
2002
as Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited)
About Jackie Gleason
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… With 72 credits spanning from 1941 to 2025, Jackie Gleason has appeared in 51 films and 21 TV shows.
Fans searching for Jackie Gleason movies, Jackie Gleason filmography, or the latest projects starring Jackie Gleason can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Jackie Gleason Movies
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977) — as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
- The Hustler (1961) — as Minnesota Fats
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) — as Self - Actor (archive footage)
- Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) — as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
- Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) — as Buford T. Justice
Where to Watch Jackie Gleason Films
Most Jackie Gleason movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Jackie Gleason, check our movies catalogue and browse page.