John Herbert Gleason, known as Jackie Gleason, was an American actor, comedian, writer, and composer also known 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 filming moved to Miami Beach, Florida, in 1964 after Gleason took up permanent residence there.
An early publicity photo of Jackie Gleason
Gleason and Rosemary DeCamp as Chester and Peg Riley in The Life of Riley
Gleason and June Taylor dancer Margaret Jeanne get ready for St. Patrick's Day 1955.
Gleason as the Poor Soul on Toast of the Town in 1954
The Honeymooners is an American television sitcom that originally aired from 1955 to 1956, created by and starring Jackie Gleason, and based on a recurring comedy sketch of the same name that had been part of Gleason's variety show. It follows the lives of New York City bus driver Ralph Kramden (Gleason), his wife Alice, Ralph's best friend Ed Norton and Ed's wife Trixie as they get involved with various schemes in their day-to-day living.
The show's cast in 1955 as it premiered on CBS: Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, Art Carney and Joyce Randolph
Actor Art Carney won numerous awards for his portrayal of Ed Norton
The real 328 Chauncey Street
Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) with Ed Norton (Art Carney), Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) and Trixie Norton (Joyce Randolph) in a Honeymooners scene.