Jackie Gleason
Actor
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).
Filmography
The Hustler
as Minnesota Fats 1961
Smokey and the Bandit
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice 1977
Smokey and the Bandit II
as Sheriff Buford T. Justice / Gaylord Justice / Reginald Van Justice 1980
The Toy
as Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates 1982
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
as Buford T. Justice 1983
Nothing in Common
as Max Basner 1986
Requiem for a Heavyweight
as Maish Rennick 1962
John Candy: I Like Me
as Self - Actor (archive footage) 2025
All Through the Night
as Starchy 1942
Mr. Billion
as John Cutler 1977
The Sting II
as Fargo Gondorff 1983
Larceny, Inc.
as Hobart 1942
Skidoo
as Tough Tony Banks 1968
Soldier in the Rain
as Maxwell Slaughter 1963
Lady Gangster
as Wilson 1942
Gigot
as Gigot 1962
The Movie Orgy
as Self (archive footage) 1968