Cinenaut

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).

Acting (43 movies)

7.7

The Hustler

1961

6.4

The Movie Orgy

1968

7.0

Smokey and the Bandit

1977

5.9

The Toy

1982

5.5

Lady Gangster

1942

4.7

Skidoo

1968

5.5

Smokey and the Bandit II

1980

5.8

Nothing in Common

1986

4.7

The Sting II

1983

6.8

All Through the Night

1942

4.4

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3

1983

6.7

Springtime in the Rockies

1942

5.5

Mr. Billion

1977

7.5

Gigot

1962

6.9

Larceny, Inc.

1942

-

Escape from Crime

1942

7.2

Requiem for a Heavyweight

1962

6.3

Soldier in the Rain

1963

5.4

Papa's Delicate Condition

1963

-

How to Commit Marriage

1969

-

The Desert Hawk

1950

5.0

Don't Drink the Water

1969

-

Izzy & Moe

1985

-

The Hustler: The Inside Story

2002

-

Navy Blues

1941

-

Steel Against the Sky

1941

-

How Do I Love Thee?

1970

6.5

Mike Wallace Is Here

2019

-

Three for Two

1975

-

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!

1942

-

The Fabulous Fifties

1960

-

A Bing Crosby Christmas

1998

6.3

Orchestra Wives

1942

-

The Very Best of the Honeymooners

2000

-

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

2001

-

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

2001

-

The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

1998

-

The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon

1976

-

The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special

1978

-

The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol

1977

-

The Honeymooners Christmas Special

1978

-

Pioneers of Primetime

2005

-

Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work

2006

Directing (4 movies)

-

The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon

1976

-

The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special

1978

-

The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol

1977

-

The Honeymooners Christmas Special

1978

Title	Year	Job
Gigot	1962	Writer
Gigot	1962	Original Music Composer
The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special	1978	Original Music Composer
Izzy & Moe	1985	Original Music Composer