Jackie Gleason (as Minnesota Fats) 

February 26, 1916 - June 24, 1987

"I'm no alcoholic. I'm a drunkard. There's a difference. A drunkard doesn't like to go to meetings." - Jackie Gleason

I can bet you're thinking to yourself, 'With all the Honeymooner pictures that are available, why this one?' Well; lets just say that everyone gets "hustled" once in a while.

Anyway. Jackie was born Herbert John "Jackie" Gleason in Brooklyn, New York in 1916. He grew up as an only child and was abandoned by his father. His mother would take care of him until her death (when Jackie was around 16 years old).

There was no doubt in Jackie's mind about what he wanted to do or be when he got older. He would begin his dream of stardom by working as an emcee for the local small theaters. He billed himself as "Jumpin' Jackie Gleason" and it is said that he could take on any heckler with his quick-fire wit. This would make Jackie extremely popular in all of the theaters in the five boroughs of New York. 

Besides doing stage shows, Gleason would moon-light as a radio disc jockey, a boxer, a daredevil driver and even a pool hustler. Hence, he would later receive an Oscar Nomination for playing Minnesota Fats in The Hustler (Jackie actually made his own pool shots in the film).

Jackie would begin to get recognition by playing in the Broadway play Follow the Girls. He was also playing a few small parts in films at that time, but wasn't very successful during that period. Jackie would later try his hand at television (and how sweet it would be!).

In 1949, Gleason played the role of Chester A. Riley (The Life Of Riley) but the series didn't fare too well. That show did become popular when William Bendix took over the role of Chester in a later TV series. However, it wasn't all bad news for Jackie, because his nightclub act was starting to attract a lot of attention in New York. Which would prove to bring him bigger and better opportunities in his career.

It was during the time (1950-1952) when Jackie was hosting Cavalcade of Stars that he would come to create his many famous characters and skits. Jackie would leave that network in a few years and The Jackie Gleason Show was born on the CBS network. He would change his variety shows' format in 1955 and The Honeymooners would hit the air waves with a ton of laughs (incredibly, the show only lasted one season!). Thank Heaven for re-runs!

The Great One, would go on to star in many movies and television roles, and he even did some (mood music) recordings for Capital Records up until the early 60's (but I don't think The Beatles were too worried!) lol. His last variety show was Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine, which was retitled back to The Jackie Gleason Show, and it would run for four more years. It was on that show that Jackie would often utilize one of his famous trademark phrases: "How sweet it is!"

There is a statue of Gleason (as Ralph Kramden) in New York City that was dedicated by by the TV Land cable channel. There is also another statue at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in North Hollywood, California. It shows Gleason in his famous "And awa-a-ay we go!" pose. 

Jackie's last film role was in the 1986 film Nothing in Common, which he starred in with Tom Hanks. Gleason would pass away in 1987 at the age of 71. He was truly The Great One!

Some of his more well known movies he starred in were:

The Hustler (1961) as Minnesota Fats

Gigot (1962) as Gigot (I thought this was a great movie).

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) as Maish Rennick

Soldier in the Rain (1963) as Master Sergeant Maxwell Slaughter

Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) as Jack Griffith

How to Commit Marriage (1969) as Oliver Poe

Smokey and the Bandit (1977) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

The Toy (1982) as U. S. Bates

Smokey and the Bandit III (1983) as Sheriff Buford T. Justice

*inspired by Pioneer