Jackie Gleason was born on February 26, 1916 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York.
On June 24, 1987 Jackie Gleason passed away in Fort Lauderdale Florida from colon and liver cancer.
Sometimes Jackie Gleason is credited as Jackie C. Gleason. Jackie's birthname is Herbert John Gleason, but it is the nicknames that tend to be remembered "The Great One," "The Abdominal Showman," and "Mr. Miami Beach".
Jackie Gleason is the father of actress Linda Miller and Grandfather to actor Jason Patric.
Working along side Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason really put the Hustle to work in 1961's hit movie THE HUSTLER.
THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW was a long running hit where Jackie Gleason would play a variety of characters, he was also the host. The show was credited for boosting tourism to Miami Beach.
In 1986 Jackie Gleason made his final movie as Max Basner in NOTHING IN COMMON starring Tom Hanks, Eva Marie Saint and Hector Elizondo.
Brad Garrett portrayed Jackie Gleason in the made for TV movie GLEASON however this was not the first time he was portrayed, Sean Cullen also portrayed Jackie Gleason in the TV movie MARTIN AND LEWIS.
Taking an uncredited role in 1941 was the start of a long career for Jackie Gleason. He was in STEEL AGAINST THE SKY, in the same year Jackie had his first credited role as well, in NAVY BLUE.
Possibly Jackie Gleason's most known role is playing Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT movies. The first of the three hits was in 1977 SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields and Jerry Reed, with the same great cast came SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II in 1980, then in 1983 they lost Sally Fields in SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT PART 3.
Jackie Gleason's other notable credits include...
NOTHING IN COMMON (1986)
THE STING II (1983)
SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (1980)
SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT (1977)
HOW DO I LOVE THEE? (1970)
THE HUSTLER (1961)
THE DESERT HAWK (1950)
ESCAPE FROM CRIME (1942)
LADY GANGSTER(1942)
NAVY BLUES (1941)
