Acting · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA · Born February 26, 1916
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).
MovieJohn Candy: I Like Me
2025
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
MovieMike Wallace Is Here
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJackie Gleason: Genius at Work
2006
as Self (archive footage)
MoviePioneers of Primetime
2005
MovieThe Honeymooners Holiday Classics
2002
as Ralph Kramden (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThe Hustler: The Inside Story
2002
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
2001
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
2001
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Very Best of the Honeymooners
2000
as Ralph Kramden
MovieA Bing Crosby Christmas
1998
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
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)
Jackie Gleason: The Great One
1988
as Self (archive footage)
MovieNothing in Common
1986
as Max Basner
MovieIzzy & Moe
1985
as Izzy Einstein
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson
1983
as Ernest Johnson
MovieSmokey and the Bandit Part 3
1983
as Buford T. Justice
MovieThe Sting II
1983
as Fargo Gondorff
MovieThe Toy
1982
as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates
All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds
1981
as Self
MovieSmokey and the Bandit II
1980
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice
MovieThe Honeymooners Christmas Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden
MovieThe Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special
1978
as Ralph Kramden
MovieThe Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol
1977
as Ralph Kramden
MovieSmokey and the Bandit
1977
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice
MovieMr. Billion
1977
as John Cutler
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976
as Self (archive footage)
TVThe Captain and Tennille
1976
as Self - Guest
MovieThe Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon
1976
as Ralph Kramden
MovieThree for Two
1975
as Herb / Fred / Mike
TVTony Orlando and Dawn
1974
as Self
TVThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
MovieHow Do I Love Thee?
1970
as Stanley Waltz
MovieDon't Drink the Water
1969
as Walter Hollander
MovieHow to Commit Marriage
1969
as Oliver Poe
MovieSkidoo
1968
as Tough Tony Banks
TVHere's Lucy
1968
as Ralph Kramden (uncredited)
MovieThe Movie Orgy
1968
as Self (archive footage)
MovieSoldier in the Rain
1963
as Maxwell Slaughter
MoviePapa's Delicate Condition
1963
as Jack Griffith
MovieGigot
1962
as Gigot
MovieRequiem for a Heavyweight
1962
as Maish Rennick
TVJackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine
1962
as Himself
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
MovieThe Hustler
1961
as Minnesota Fats
The Million Dollar Incident
1961
as Self
TVYou're in the Picture
1961
as Host
MovieThe Fabulous Fifties
1960
as Self
TVThe David Susskind Show
1959
as Self
Small World
1958
as Self
TVTony Awards
1956
as Self - Presenter
TVThe Honeymooners
1955
as Ralph Kramden
TVThe Jackie Gleason Show
1952
as Self - Host
TVThe Red Skelton Show
1951
as Reginald van Gleason III
TVThe Jack Benny Program
1950
as Jackie Gleason
TVThe Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self
MovieThe Desert Hawk
1950
as Aladdin
TVThe Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self
TVWhat's My Line?
1950
as Self
TVThe Life of Riley
1949
as Chester A. Riley
Cavalcade of Stars
1949
as Fenwick Babbitt
TVStudio One
1948
as Jerry Giles
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
MovieSpringtime in the Rockies
1942
as Commissioner (uncredited)
MovieOrchestra Wives
1942
as Ben Beck
MovieEscape from Crime
1942
as Evans - Convict Getting Mug Shot (as Jackie C. Gleason)
MovieLarceny, Inc.
1942
as Hobart
MovieTramp, Tramp, Tramp!
1942
as Hank
MovieLady Gangster
1942
as Wilson
MovieAll Through the Night
1942
as Starchy
MovieSteel Against the Sky
1941
as Cliff (uncredited)
MovieNavy Blues
1941
as 'Tubby' (as Jackie C. Gleason)
