
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

Tony Awards
1956
as Self - Presenter

The Red Skelton Show
1951
as Reginald van Gleason III

What's My Line?
1950
as Self

Studio One
1948
as Jerry Giles / Sam Wheeler / Uncle Eddie Doyle

The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self

The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self

Here's Lucy
1968
as Ralph Kramden (uncredited)

The Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self

The Jack Benny Program
1950
as Jackie Gleason

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self

The Honeymooners
1955
as Ralph Kramden

Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974
as Self

Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine
1962
as Himself

The Captain and Tennille
1976
as Self - Guest

The Jackie Gleason Show
1952
as Self - Host

The David Susskind Show
1959
as Self
Small World
1958
as Self

The Life of Riley
1949
as Chester A. Riley
Cavalcade of Stars
1949
as Fenwick Babbitt / Self - host

You're in the Picture
1961
as Host
Movies (51)

Smokey and the Bandit
1977
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

John Candy: I Like Me
2025
as Self - Actor (archive footage)

The Hustler
1961
as Minnesota Fats

Smokey and the Bandit II
1980
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice

The Movie Orgy
1968
as Self (archive footage)

The Sting II
1983
as Fargo Gondorff

Gigot
1962
as Gigot
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976
as Self (archive footage)

The Fabulous Fifties
1960
as Self

All Through the Night
1942
as Starchy

Nothing in Common
1986
as Max Basner

The Toy
1982
as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
1983
as Buford T. Justice

Soldier in the Rain
1963
as Maxwell Slaughter

Pioneers of Primetime
2005

Requiem for a Heavyweight
1962
as Maish Rennick

Papa's Delicate Condition
1963
as Jack Griffith

Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work
2006
as Self (archive footage)

How to Commit Marriage
1969
as Oliver Poe

Larceny, Inc.
1942
as Hobart

Steel Against the Sky
1941
as Cliff (uncredited)
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 Desert Hawk
1950
as Aladdin

Navy Blues
1941
as 'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)
The Million Dollar Incident
1961
as Self

Mike Wallace Is Here
2019
as Self (archive footage)

Don't Drink the Water
1969
as Walter Hollander

The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden

Mr. Billion
1977
as John Cutler

The Honeymooners Christmas Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden

Izzy & Moe
1985
as Izzy Einstein

A Bing Crosby Christmas
1998
as Self (archive footage)

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!
1942
as Hank

Three for Two
1975
as Herb / Fred / Mike

Lady Gangster
1942
as Wilson
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson
1983
as Ernest Johnson
All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds
1981
as Self

The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)

Orchestra Wives
1942
as Ben Beck

The Honeymooners Holiday Classics
2002
as Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited)

Escape from Crime
1942
as Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)
Jackie Gleason: The Great One
1988
as Self (archive footage)

How Do I Love Thee?
1970
as Stanley Waltz

The Very Best of the Honeymooners
2000
as Ralph Kramden

The Hustler: The Inside Story
2002
as Self (archive footage)

Springtime in the Rockies
1942
as Commissioner (uncredited)

Skidoo
1968
as Tough Tony Banks

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
2001
as Self (archive footage)

The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol
1977
as Ralph Kramden

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
2001
as Self (archive footage)

The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon
1976
as Ralph Kramden
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
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) — as Self - Actor (archive footage)
- The Hustler (1961) — as Minnesota Fats
- Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) — as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
- The Movie Orgy (1968) — as Self (archive footage)
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.