Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

GLEASON, Jackie

(b Herbert John Gleason, 26 Feb. '16, Brooklyn, NY; d 24 June '87) Actor, comedian, composer and conductor. Fifteen films began with Glenn Miller vehicle Orchestra Wives '42; he appeared on Broadway in Artists And Models '43, Follow The Girls '44, Along Fifth Avenue '49, Take Me Along '59. His best film roles were The Hustler (with Paul Newman) and his Chaplinesque part in Gigot (nom. for supporting Oscars in both), Requiem For A Heavyweight (written by Rod Serling; co-star Anthony Quinn), all '61--2. Played comic lawman Buford T. Ford in Burt Reynolds's Smokey And The Bandit films '70s. His part in early TV series The Life Of Riley led to major TV stardom; Cavalcade Of Stars began '49 creating priceless sketches, many with Art Carney, incl. characters the Sad Sack, the Loudmouth, Reggie Van Gleason; The Honeymooners became a spin-off series '55, preceded by a Gleason self- indulgence: he prod. Stageshow fronted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, eclipsed by Perry Como on another channel until Elvis Presley made his first TV appearance early '56. Gleason wrote both script and music for Gigot and wrote his own TV theme 'Melancholy Serenade' though he could not read music; other people wrote it down for him. Mood music albums for Capitol incl. music from Gigot; some featured unusual instrumentation and bristled with good soloists (Charlie Ventura, Tony Mottola etc), the best-known ones with Bobby Hackett (Music For Lovers Only, Music, Martinis And Memories etc '53--4). Four 10]im[ LPs and six 12]im[ were top ten USA '53--6, nine more charted '57-- 69. He also wrote a ballet, designed clothes, jewellery, children's games, etc; lived a full life and enjoyed every minute. Biographies The Golden Ham '56 by Jim Bishop, The Great One '92 by William A. Henry.