Exhibits: Irish American Hall of History

Jackie Gleason

1916 - 1987

Television

The Great One! Gleason was born in Brooklyn and was famous for his brash humor and fast ad-libs. He immortalized the neighborhood that he grew up in the famous television show The Honeymooners. With its success the same idea would be transferred into the cartoon The Flintstones. He began his career as Jumpin Jack Gleason as a nightclub comic and Vaudeville emcee. In 1950 Gleason got his break in the Cavalcade of Stars where Gleason could wisecrack as emcee and its also where he developed his characters for many future projects. The Honeymooners were born on this show. In 1952 he was given his own show The Jackie Gleason Show, which brought him into national stardom. In 1955-56 he taped 39 episodes of The Honeymooners. They remain as classics today. Gleason's broad physical gestures and loud verbal blasts explored the limits of the small television screen. He also sold millions of records through his LP series titled For Lovers Only. How Sweet it Is!

External Links

• Jackie Gleason - Museum of Broadcast Communications
• Jackie Gleason - "The Great One" a fan site
• Jackie Gleason - Wikipedia