Jackie Gleason

Full Name: Herbert Walton Gleason, Jr.
Profession: Comedian and Actor

Biography: Versatile entertainer affectionately known as "The Great One" was a comedian, actor, writer, and composer, remembered best for his signature character bus driver Ralph Kramden in 1950s television series "The Honeymooners".

Gleason grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His father abandoned him and his mother when he was almost 10. Show business became his calling after participating in a school play. He dropped out, and picked up jobs as an emcee and performer at amateur nights in local Brooklyn theaters. At 19, after the death of his mother, he moved over to Manhattan, gaining wider exposure. He was noticed by a Hollywood executive attending a nightclub performance, landed a movie studio contract and became a bit actor to little acclaim. His skills as an improviser and disdain for memorizing scripts were ill-suited for the field.

With the advent of television, he made his mark. Initially in the lead role of serialized adaptation of the film "The Life of Riley", and then as host of music and comedy variety show "The Calvacade of Stars" on the Dumont Network. This led to his long-running "The Jackie Gleason Show" on CBS.

The "Honeymooners" skit from the variety show were spun-off into its own series in 1955, producing the classic 39 episodes.

Among his notable film roles were Minnesota Fats in "The Hustler" (1961), co-starring Paul Newman; Requiem for A Heavyweight (1962), written by Rod Serling; the mute title character in "Gigot" (1962); and Sherriff Buford T. Justice in the "Smokey and the Bandit" series (1977-83), co-starring Burt Reynolds. His final film was as the father in "Nothing In Common" (1986), with Tom Hanks as the son.

Gleason enjoyed a secondary music career during the 1950s and 1960s, producing a series of best-selling "easy listening" music albums. His first album, Music for Lovers Only, still holds the record for the longest stay on the Billboard Top Ten Charts (153 weeks), and his first 10 albums each sold over a million copies. His output spans nearly 60 long-playing record albums, and many singles.

He was married three times, and two children.

Born: February 26, 1916
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: June 24, 1987 (aged 71)
Cause of Death: Colon cancer