Jackie Gleason, known as the “Great One,” gained fame and wealth as a bus driver in the sitcom “The Honeymooners.” The show, which aired from 1955 to 1956, featured Gleason as Ralph Kramden, his wife Alice, and their neighbors Ed and Trixie Norton. The show aired on CBS from 1952 to 1955 and was based on a recurring sketch from his variety show. In 1950, Gleason took over as host of Dumont’s hour-long comedy/variety show, “Cavalcade Of Stars.” The show aired from 1955 to 1956, making Gleason approximately 39 or 40 years old at the time.
The Honeymooners was a classic sitcom that centered around the comedic antics of Ralph Kramden, his wife Alice, and their neighbors. The show aired from 1955 to 1956, making Gleason approximately 39 or 40 years old during that time. In the 1970s, Gleason did 2 or 3 one-hour “Honeymooners” specials aired on ABC, not his old network, CBS.
In 2024, Jackie Gleason passed away at the age of 71. The show was the last weekly variety series, which alternated between regular variety hours with big name guest stars and musical remakes of old shows. Joyce Randolph, best known for playing the role of neighbor Trixie Norton on The Honeymooners, died at the age of 99.
📹 The Great One: Jackie Gleason | 60 Minutes Archive
From 1984, Morley Safer’s profile of the “Great One,” Jackie Gleason. “60 Minutes” is the most successful television broadcast in …
What happened to the original Trixie on The Honeymooners?
Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie Norton on the classic sitcom “The Honeymooners,” and was the last surviving member of the cast, died Saturday in New York City. She was 99. *Randolph was in hospice care at the time of her death and died of natural causes, her son, Randy, told TMZ. *Randolphs character was married to Art Carneys Ed Norton on “The Honeymooners.” They were the neighbors of Ralph and Alice Kramden, played by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows. *Born Joyce Sirola to a Finnish American family in Detroit, she got her start in show business when she joined a touring production of “Stage Door” while working at a department store, then moved to New York where she acted in theater and on television in shows such as “Buck Rogers.”
Why was Kelton blacklisted from The Honeymooners?
She lost the role of Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners because her husband Ralph Bell was on the blacklist. This affected her career. They said her health was poor. She created the role of Alice in the original Honeymooners sketches with Jackie Gleason, but returned in the late 60s to play Alice’s mother. She was in a series of Spic ‘n’ Span TV commercials for many years.
Why did Jackie Gleason quit Honeymooners?
Gleason said he ended the show because the material was too good and he couldn’t cheapen it. Gleason sold the show’s films to CBS for $1.5 million. The Honeymooners is an American TV sitcom that originally aired from 1955 to 1956. It was created by and starred Jackie Gleason. It was based on a comedy sketch of the same name that had been part of Gleason’s variety show. It’s about Ralph Kramden, a bus driver in New York City, his wife Alice, Ralph’s best friend Ed Norton, and Ed’s wife Trixie. They get involved in various schemes in their day-to-day lives. Most episodes are about Ralph’s bad choices in funny situations. The show also deals with serious issues like women’s rights and social status.
The original comedy sketches first aired on the DuMont network’s variety series Cavalcade of Stars, which Gleason hosted. They later aired on the CBS network’s The Jackie Gleason Show, which was broadcast live in front of a theater audience. Gleason reworked The Honeymooners as a half-hour series, which debuted on October 1, 1955 on CBS. It was a hit at first, but then it fell to 19th place. It ended after 39 episodes.
Who did Jackie Gleason leave his money to?
The entertainers will, which was filed in Broward Probate Court, leaves his estate to his third wife and two daughters from his first marriage. The value of the estate has not yet been estimated. *He appointed his third wife, Marilyn, to be the executor of his will. As such, she can make all decisions regarding the disposition of his assets. *Gleason died of liver and colon cancer on June 24 at his home in the Inverrary section of Lauderhill. He was 71. *Gleason made out the will in April 1985. He said Marilyn Gleason was to receive one-half his estate. The balance was to be divided equally between his daughters, Geraldine Chatuk of Los Angeles and Linda Miller of Santa Monica, Calif. He also specified that his secretary of 29 years, Sydell Spear of Hialeah, would get $25,000.
Why was the first Alice on The Honeymooners blacklisted?
Kelton appeared in the original sketches, which were shorter than the later one-season episodes and 1960s hour-long musical versions. She was replaced by Audrey Meadows because she was blacklisted. Her producers said she left because of heart problems. Kelton and her husband were listed in Red Channels, a 1950s publication of communists in the U.S. entertainment industry. Kelton sued the publication for libel, but later dropped the suit. In his book, David Weinstein wrote that Kelton remained on Cavalcade of Stars through the final season of the series (1951–1952). He suggests that it may have been because Jackie Gleason had resisted attempts at having her dropped. In the 1960s, Kelton returned to Gleason’s CBS show to play Alice’s mother in an episode of the musical version of The Honeymooners. In 1963, Kelton appeared on The Twilight Zone, playing Robert Duvall’s overbearing mother in the episode Miniature. The next year, she guest-starred on My Three Sons. In this episode, Kelton plays Thelma Wilson, a stage actress who wants a settled life but realizes it’s not for her.
Was Jackie Gleason rich?
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t care about money?” Jackie Gleason said this and meant it. The Honeymooners star was rich, but that wasn’t why he followed his dreams. Of course, it gave him the finer things and an upscale lifestyle, but Gleason cared about success. In an interview with The Baltimore Sun, the actor talked about success, money, and his life. Gleason said, “I don’t care about money.” Success is like a blue serge suit. You pick up on the criticism. People think I should be ashamed of making $11 million. I’m not. I didn’t rob a bank. This is America.
Who is the heaviest smoker of all time?
Walter Humphreys smoked 100 cigarettes a day for 27 years. He started at 13 and mostly rolled his own with a 50g packet of White Ox per day. His habit turned into an addiction while he was in jail in 1990. A man who smoked 100 cigarettes a day for 27 years has quit. Walter Humphreys, 58, smoked cigarettes all day and all night.
I was a smoker from Townsville, Queensland. I smoked all day and all night.
How much did Jackie Gleason make on The Honeymooners?
Jackie Gleason created the series. He played Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners. He was the show’s main creative, so he made more money than anyone else. Jackie Gleason’s CBS contract was worth $11 million, but he didn’t get the money.
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Who gets royalties from The Honeymooners?
Meadows was the only Honeymooners cast member to get residuals from the reruns of the show from 1955 to 1956. Her brother Edward, a lawyer, added a clause to her contract that would pay her if the show was re-broadcast. This earned her millions. When the lost episodes were released, Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie Norton, received royalty payments. Meadows was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on the show. She lost to Nanette Fabray in Caesars Hour.
Career outside The Honeymooners. Meadows appeared in an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode titled Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat. It was one of 17 episodes in the 10-year series Hitchcock directed. It was one of the few episodes in the series that was light-hearted.
Was The Honeymooners abusive?
How often has Alice been frustrated, angry, in tears, or wanted to run away from her apartment? We didn’t see physical abuse, but there was a lot of physical violence. Ralph’s mother-in-law is always reminding him of his weight and that he is a bad provider. Alice studied to be a secretary before marrying Ralph. She had 12 siblings and a father who never worked. These two characters have lost their dreams. This series was supposed to show the working class of the 1950s. Were the 1950s really so bad? Was the working class angry? Today’s life is more complicated, with more reasons for anger. The Honeymooners started as a six-minute sketch on the DuMont Television Network and then as a featured sketch on the Jackie Gleason Show in 1953. It moved to the CBS Network. The Gleason show competed with the popular I Love Lucy show.
Was Jackie Gleason a heavy smoker?
Later years, health issues and death As early as 1952, when The Jackie Gleason Show captured Saturday night for CBS, Gleason regularly smoked six packs of cigarettes a day.
John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916–June 24, 1987), known as Jackie Gleason, was an American actor, comedian, writer, and composer also known as The Great One.123 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.
Among his notable film roles were Minnesota Fats in 1961s The Hustler (co-starring with Paul Newman) and BufordT. Justice in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy from 1977 to 1983 (co-starring Burt Reynolds).
Gleason enjoyed a prominent secondary music career during the 1950s and 1960s, producing a series of bestselling mood 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 sold over a million copies each.4 His output spans more than 20 singles, nearly 60 long-playing record albums, and more than 40 CDs.
Who was the longest living daily smoker?
Some smokers don’t get as many illnesses as others. Some of the world’s oldest people smoke and live to extreme ages. The world’s longest-living person, Jeanne Calment, was a smoker. Another person said to be the world’s longest-living person also smokes. What’s their secret? New research shows that the long lives of smokers are no accident. A study published this month in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences found that some people’s DNA helps them better withstand and mitigate the damage caused by long-term smoking. Morgan E. Levine, the study’s lead author, said in a press release that they’ve identified a set of genetic markers that seem to promote longevity. Many of these markers are in pathways important for aging and lifespan in animal models.
I never got to meet Jackie but a business partner of mine was one of the drummers on Gleesons show in the sixties told me Jackie had a heart of gold . Seems my friend’s wife had a bad appendix attack and it would be $600.00 for the operation and hospital . My friend couldn’t afford this and when Jackie found out he gave my friend $1,000.00 cash . My friend was stunned ! Only one condition . My friend could tell no one . Jackie even went to the hospital to see my friend’s wife in Miami . When my friend tried to repay Jackie a year later, Jackie would not accept it ! My friend and his wife are passed on now so I take great pleasure in telling everyone just what kind of man Jackie Gleeson was . GOD SPEED JACKIE .
I never realized it when I was young, but my mom did. Jackie Gleason was one of the most talented people who ever lived. He could act, both great comedy and serious drama. Could sing, dance, compose music, write, do stand-up comedy, host shows, and give great interviews. Sad to hear he didn’t get the accolades he deserved.
My fave part was when Jackie corrects Morley when he says (about Ralph Kramden) “he was a pretty lousy husband”, and Jackie says “No really. When you think about it, the poor soul hasn’t got a lot of ability – but he keeps trying… to make he and Alice happy”. “He was just trying to make it”. What a special show.
Grew up perusal Jackie on Saturday night with my parents. My brother and I watched Honeymooner reruns at 1130 at night before going to bed. We laugh to this day whenever the subject comes up. A class guy who lived life to its fullest and was a one of a kind entertainer. He truly was The Great One and away we go
I love, Mr. Jackie Gleason – I remember perusal this interview when it was new – he was a beautiful man who lived a beautiful life – there’s an old Polish proverb that says : GOD GIVES US OUR LIVES AS A GIFT – AND GIFTS ARE MEANT TO BE ENJOYED – and, Mr. Jackie Gleason enjoyed his gift to the fullest
Man O Man does this take me back to a wonderful time in my life. I never really saw an interview with Jackie before this one. It sure warms my heart to see that he was obviously a good and great person. Kind of like what I would have expected him to be. The laughter this man brought to my house when I was a kid is priceless…I can still hear and see my father laughing !!
While Jackie died five years before I was born, his influence on me has been palpable. No matter how many years pass, those original 39 episodes of “The Honeymooners” stand the test of time. At the end of each one, with his tail between his legs, he would walk up to Alice and exclaim, “Baby, you’re the greatest!” How we all yearn for such happy endings!
I grew up with Jackie Gleason on the TV and in the movies – I always remember the opening credits for his Miami based prime time TV show, the lush big band music playing, the long shot coming ashore into glamorous Miami Beach, the announcer calling the guests and the band and then Jackie, nattily dressed and carefully groomed, the ever present cig in one hand and a cocktail in the other, appeared, beaming to the audience applause and crooning the infamous line “how sweet it is!” My father, who rarely laughed out loud or showed amusement would chuckle and laugh before Jackie had ever cracked a joke. Jackie Gleason was a larger than life character yet he had an everyday, working class Joe attitude that I think a lot of people identified with. He lived life on his own terms with no regrets and created a legacy very few can match. The Great One.
I’m 50 yeahs old now and I happened across my old grammar school yearbook… Favorite Actor Favorite Show.. Jackie Gleason/The Honeymooners is what 13 year old me wrote. My mother still remembers the day we were perusal tv and it was announced he passed. She said i cried and cried as if i’d lost a family member
I remember this article from 1984, when I was 17, because for one, we as a family, never missed 60 Minutes, and two, we celebrated my Mom’s birthday the very next day. No one singular is the greatest, but Mr. Gleason will always be The Great One. Thanks for dusting off some old brain cells in this noggin.
I was born right after “The Honeymooners” final episode aired in 1956, but I have seen it so many times in syndication growing up and even today. Fabulous show. I remember perusal the “Jackie Gleason Show” on CBS every week growing up in the 60’s. I was not happy when CBS cancelled the show in ’70. Another fabulous show. Gleason was, indeed, “The Great One.”
Gleason was a BRILLIANT man…he had a memory (photographic) few had….he believed in aliens and flying saucers…he smoked 6 packs of cigarettes a day….he could drink every human being under the table…..he ate like there was no tomorrow.. he lived life larger than all but a few men…..and his Ralph Kramdon….was the greatest character in the history of TV… a unique man we will never see the likes of again….. to this day The Honeymooners remain the funniest show in television history…..
I grew up sitting too close to his face, Art Carney and Learning to Love the String music He Wrote! He had hit after hit after hit. Jackie Gleason’s string music, the sheet music produced that he composed, was H A R D! HARD, it was Hard to play but we always busted out Laughing every time we played it. We Loved Jackie Gleason, the Great One.
I remember perusal this with my dad when I was 14 years old. I had to. Dad always made us watch 60 Minutes on Sundays at 6, after car work and homework. When we watched it, it was one of the few times my dad would laugh. I miss him. And thank you 60 Minutes for all these wonderful memories and stories. I still watch you every week.
The Greatest! A few years back I had asked my adult children if they knew anything about Jackie Gleason. Nope. How about “To the moon, Alice”? Nope. Said he had a hugely successful variety show on T.V. Asked them to guess from where it was broadcast. Hollywood? Nope. New York? Nope. Told them this guy was SO big, they did the show “Live from Miami Beach”! What an actor. What an entertainer. A true star!
One of the all time greats. I grew up perusal the Honeymooners and it was 1 of my favorite shows. I only wish they would play the show more now. I don’t care how many times I’ve seen a rerun that show never gets old. Ralph, Norton, & Alice were an absolute magical combination. To the moon Alice lol I love that line the way he is so animated when doing that scene is absolutely flawless.
I grew up in Ireland in the 70s and 80s, a dark and dismal place. But for some reason I was able to watch the ‘Jackie Gleason show live from Miami Beach’. It was safe harmless fun for Catholic Ireland. But, there was something about it the told me there was another world out there, life was a struggle but there was also humor. The scenes at the Bar with him singing, I will never forget. Thank you Jackie for a little bit of fun. He said it ‘it was just funny’, and sometimes that all we need!
Thank you for this. I visited my brother who’s wife restricted all media intake of their two young boys to articles in the evening. It was fairly no holds barred on what they could watch – she was not censorious at all. Well, on a visit, I took the boys to the article store, and told them that The Honeymooner’s was cool. So we got a compilation and watched it. This was in the Oughts: the boys, maybe 9 and 10, were transfixed. Transfixed. I’d also got them Red Dwarf (also a hit), and other articles that you would think kids would view more favorably. Nope. Their favorite way beyond any other was Kramden and Norton. Every night. I have since found solace in this experience. There was no other that could chew up the scenery than Gleason. There was no there team that could put it across like the great Carney and Gleason. The modern day Quixote and Sanza to be sure!
Spent many nights perusal him, and laughing, with my dad as a kid. Gleason had a natural depth in his acting that was compelling and genuine. I lived a few miles from his last home in Florida and went to see it when it was for sale a few years ago. The whole area around it is now a slum with part of the once famous Inverrary golf course abandoned and shut down. While alone in that massive house where he died, I imagined him there possibly carrying on and making someone laugh ! What a great spirit !! His marble tomb in Doral reflects that spirit, as carved in its side are the words : “…and AWAY we GO !! “
Some of my favorite times were evenings during the summer back in the 80’s perusal the Honeymooners with my dad. He had them on vhs tapes and we would watch four or five at least with the front door wide open and a cool breeze coming through the house. My mom would be sitting in a chair next to the side table reading one of her books but also catching the funniest parts and laughing with us. Not even a teenager yet I hadn’t a care in the world and let myself believe it would always be that way. The neighbors were friendly and it wasn’t uncommon for the adults to end up out front talking while us kids were playing hide and go seek or riding bikes. On the warmest nights we left the front door wide open not having to worry about drug addicts emerging from the shadows to steal from you. There’s always been crime but no way anyone can tell me things weren’t way better then. I don’t thank God often enough for all of the blessings he has given me. I’m not rich but I had great parents and grew up during very good times. I wish I could have just one more warm summer evening perusal the Honeymooners with my mom and dad.
What a beautiful good clean gorgeous guy man Jackie Gleason is, wow. He cares so much about his life & health to be in that great of shape with the impeccable perfect health & hygiene of all of the Classic famous & totally fabulous movie stars. Even in just this interview setting, Jackie Gleason is ready for the Silver Screen & the big lights. Ready for take 1, man, always too. Good job. It’s an awesome & impressing ideal that Sir Jackie Sir lives up to, to care that much about his health & life, and a great example for the rest of the Universe always, man. A perfect role model with a gut so strong you could shatter diamonds on it, all day long & Jackie would just laugh at you and call it exercise, lol. It’s just great to see, & to see the old time old fashioned ideals and motto of and credo of America, and of show business, exemplified by this guy & his golden heart. Thanks.✌️😇❤️🌈📀🔒🔐🥇
When I was an early teenager in the early 80’s and I found “The Honeymooners” which was on TV about 10pm at night, I would watch it during summer break after my parents went to bed. Loved that show so much fun, great memories. There was like 3 shows in a row, Honeymooners, MASH, then The Benny Hill show. Then of course the Smokey and the Bandit movies. Great times.
And away we goooo! I was like 5yrs. old when his show was on on Sunday night. I always knew it was time for him to come on. I would ask my Mom to put his show on. This was when his show was in Miami. I would sit there and watch his whole show. Loved it. My Mom would call him my boyfriend. Lol. Loved him. Diane
I absolutely love seeing these old clips of Jackie Gleason, he reminds me so much of my dad who was about a year younger… He had such a great personality just like my dad & also loved life… I just bought the Smokey and the bandit DVD box at just because I wanted to see Jackie do his Buford T justice character…lol
R.I.P Jackie…. I think you were very “under rated ” as an actor…. You had great natural ability, I am glad for all the movies that you did and I will never forget the Jackie Gleason show …. You ALWAYS had the top drawer of entertainment…. You were a master of your craft…. You lived a good life…. again, rest in peace and know that you are eternally loved…
I love Jackie Gleason !!!!!! The HONEYMOONERS was my favorite show on TV back in the day !!!! It is still shown to this day….. he was a classic !!!!! His sidekick Norton ( Art Carney ) was a gem unto his own !!!!! Audrey Meadows, Joyce Randolf, added their jabs as well …… Can’t find shows like this any longer ……
What a legend. Fell in love with Smokey And The Bandit at a very early age. As the years went by my love for that film changed regarding the stars. 1st love was the Bandit,just so cool. Then I fell in love with that Firebird,what an iconic car. Then it hit me, Buford T Justice! What a character,what an amazing actor playing that role. Buford for me was that movie,Jackie owned that franchise. God bless you and thank you.
When he’s describing his growing up in that apartment, you can see he’s actually there amazing hadn’t he not asked another question he was stuck there.. amazing actor! I grew up in brooklyn perusal the honeymooners during hot summer nights with no a/c and the R train thundering under my apartment building. God i love the honeymooners ❤ i love brooklyn ❤
I’ve become obsessed with The Flintstones lately (earlier seasons were much more geared toward adults) which is based off The Honeymooners. I’m loving both even though I never really paid attention before. The comedy is gold. Lol. After doing multiple deep dives, though, I feel bad for his costars since he forced them all to also “wing it”. The actress who played the most famous Alice really was the glue of that show. Early television was wild.
I remember perusal his show when I was a little kid, and I remember the Honeymooners when he brought it back as mini musicals. Right before my grandmother died she used to watch those shows every Saturday Night. I wondered why I never saw him at all in the Seventies, and learned he walked out on a 5 million dollar contract which I thought was utterly crazy, and explained why I never saw him anymore (Revenge of CBS?). I liked his earlier shows because I thought he was more creative on them then the later shows. He was one of a triumvirate of people that included Stan Laurel, and Red Skelton that decided me to go into show business and become an actor.
I consider Gleason definitely part of what I personally and affectionately have dubbed the “Lucy Legends of Yesteryear” which includes the all the greats like Hope, Sinatra, Martin, Lewis, Rickles, Carson and more. And sadly they are no more except in our fond memories of a great era also no more which is greatly missed. Matter of fact when I have trouble falling asleep I actually have downloaded all the Classic 39 episodes of The Honeymooners and will play them which lulls me off into Dreamland. 💤 RIP Jackie Gleason ❤😊
The testament to Gleason’s genius will forever be the Classic 39- even now, almost 75 years later, any episode will make you laugh out loud. It has stood and will stand the test of time because of its humor and it’s humanity. Gleason hit it on the head-Ralph, and Ed, didn’t hatch their schemes and crazy ideas for any other reason than they just wanted to give their wives the best life they could. Everyone can relate to that. It was funny, and it was human, and it remains among the cornerstones of tv comedy and an avatar for all that came afterwards
My dear Beloved Jackie Geason ! I grew up perusal him. I was always aware he was great AND playing a part. He had his problems… and so did my parents. I truly believe he suffered from being a true “sensitive.” My time perusal him gave me amazing commedic schooling. When he passed he took so much away from the art.
Wow. I’m a young 56 year old & will now have to go watch all 39 episodes. Mom & dad always referenced “The Honeymooners” & I occasionally would see a glimpse in between Looney Toons antics from Mr. Blanc & well…now I can’t wait to see what I missed on the other website. P. Frazer Texas USA 🇺🇸 Since ‘66
Reminds me of my Grandpa Gugliano…a World War II Hero…Purple Heart, Silver Star; semi-pro football player; track star in high school; basketball star; 1955 Championship Boxer in the US Navy in his weight class; and all around Great Guy who sadly I was too young to get to know him. I was 12 when my Grandfather died in 1980… His features were very similar to my Grandpa.
I guarantee no trans, gender fluid, or anything of the sort watched this. Nothing against the younger generation but this is what a man is. Against all odds he was extremely successful. If any young person is reading this it doesn’t matter what you feel just stand tall and fight and never give up. Never give up never give up never give up.
To say my wife and I were devoted fans of Gleason and the Honeymooners would be an under statement. We have, courtesy of our daughter, a beautifully framed picture from a scene from the Honeymooners showing the cast at the top . The bottom of the picture has individual oval spaces with their original signature in silver ink of Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, and Joyce Randolph. God only knows what she must have paid for this since it is the authentic thing. This hangs in our computer / ham radio room above a bookcase.
The Honeymooners was definitely an incredible show & I see why you compared Seinfeld with it, because Seinfeld is HILARIOUS & it was another immensely successful show! I also loved The Jeffersons, The Odd Couple, Family Ties (especially when they added the Nick character), Three’s Company & so many more!!!
What a wonderful guy. He came out of era when you could come from nothing, yet with raw talent, make it in show business. Unlike today, when most of the movie stars come from either very affluent families or are connected to the business in some way, or both. Jackie was the definition of the American dream come true!
I try to collect every record that Jackie Gleason made and have quite a few. There is just such depth to the music that you can play it for hours and not get tired of it. His “Music for Lovers Only: is my all time favorite album. That was the first time I had heard any of anything he made and I bought it on a reel to reel tape (which I still have). I later bought the vinyl record just in cast that tape ever got damaged.