orig. Herbert John Gleason
born Feb. 26, 1916, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.
died June 24, 1987, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
U.S. comedian and actor.
He performed in carnivals and nightclubs and later played minor roles in films and on the stage. He achieved success in the television comedy series Cavalcade of Stars (195052), The Jackie Gleason Show (195259, 196170), and The Honeymooners (195556), which centred on his most beloved character, bus driver Ralph Kramden. He starred on Broadway in Take Me Along (1959, Tony Award) and received acclaim for his screen performances in The Hustler (1961), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), and Soldier in the Rain (1963). He later was featured in Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and its sequels (1980, 1983).