James Austin Gleason (May 23, 1882 – April 12, 1959) was an American actor, playwright and screenwriter born in New York City.[1] Gleason often portrayed "tough-talking, world-weary guys with a secret heart-of-gold."[2]
Gleason was born in New York City, the son of Mina (née Crolius) and William L. Gleason.[3] Coming from theatrical stock, as a schoolboy he made stage appearances while on holiday. He began earning his living at the age of thirteen, being a messenger boy, printer's devil, assistant in an electrical store and a lift boy. He enlisted in the United States Army at age 16 and served three years in the Philippines.
On discharge, he began his stage career, later taking it up professionally. He played in London for two years and following his return to the United States, he began in films by writing dialogue for comedies. He wrote a number of plays, several of which were performed on Broadway. He also acted on Broadway, including in a couple of his own plays. When World War I broke out, Gleason reenlisted in the United States Army and served to the end of the war.
His film debut was in Polly of the Follies (1922), starring Constance Talmadge. Balding and slender with a craggy voice and a master of the double-take, Gleason portrayed tough but warm-hearted characters, usually with a New York background. He co-wrote The Broadway Melody, the second film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and had a small uncredited role in it. He also co-wrote and briefly appeared as a hot dog vendor in the 1934 Janet Gaynor vehicle Change of Heart. He performed in a number of films with his wife Lucile. In The Clock (1945), he played a milk cart driver who gives lessons in marriage to the characters played by Judy Garland and Robert Walker, while Lucile played his wife. The same year, he played the bartender in the film adaptation of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. In the Frank Capra classic Meet John Doe, he played the cynical, "hard boiled" editor brought in to pump up the newspaper that runs with the "John Doe" story.
Gleason was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as boxing manager Max "Pop" Corkle in the 1941 film Here Comes Mr. Jordan. He starred in two movie series, playing police inspector Oscar Piper in six Hildegarde Withers mystery films during the 1930s, starting with The Penguin Pool Murder, and Joe Higgins in the first seven of nine films about the Higgins Family, in which his wife Lucile and son Russell played Lil and Sydney Higgins. One of Gleason's best-known roles is Uncle Birdie, the kind-hearted ship captain plagued by alcohol and the memory of his deceased wife, in Charles Laughton's film noir classic The Night of the Hunter (1955).
For his contributions to the motion picture industry, Gleason has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7038 Hollywood Boulevard.[6]
Family
James and Lucile Gleason had a son, actor Russell Gleason. On December 26, 1945, the younger Gleason was in New York City awaiting deployment to Europe with his regiment, when he fell out of a fourth story window in the Hotel Sutton — which the army had commandeered to house the troops — resulting in his death. Reports varied, some saying the fall was accidental, while others stating it was a suicide.[7][8] Russell's most prominent role had been as Muller in the Academy Award-winning version of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). Russell Gleason was married to Cynthia Hobart (later becoming Cynthia Lindsay), a swimmer and stunt woman who later wrote a biography of family friend Boris Karloff.[9][10]
james, gleason, other, individuals, with, same, name, disambiguation, james, austin, gleason, 1882, april, 1959, american, actor, playwright, screenwriter, born, york, city, gleason, often, portrayed, tough, talking, world, weary, guys, with, secret, heart, go. For other individuals with the same name see James Gleason disambiguation James Austin Gleason May 23 1882 April 12 1959 was an American actor playwright and screenwriter born in New York City 1 Gleason often portrayed tough talking world weary guys with a secret heart of gold 2 James GleasonGleason in Meet John Doe 1941 BornJames Austin Gleason 1882 05 23 May 23 1882New York City U S DiedApril 12 1959 1959 04 12 aged 76 Woodland Hills California U S OccupationsActorplaywrightscreenwriterYears active1914 1959SpouseLucile Webster m 1905 died 1947 wbr ChildrenRussell Gleason Contents 1 Life and career 2 Family 3 Partial list of plays 4 Filmography 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksLife and career Edit Gleason directed the Broadway production of George S Kaufman s The Butter and Egg Man 1925 in which his wife Lucile Webster center appeared with Gregory Kelly and Sylvia Field Gleason was born in New York City the son of Mina nee Crolius and William L Gleason 3 Coming from theatrical stock as a schoolboy he made stage appearances while on holiday He began earning his living at the age of thirteen being a messenger boy printer s devil assistant in an electrical store and a lift boy He enlisted in the United States Army at age 16 and served three years in the Philippines On discharge he began his stage career later taking it up professionally He played in London for two years and following his return to the United States he began in films by writing dialogue for comedies He wrote a number of plays several of which were performed on Broadway He also acted on Broadway including in a couple of his own plays When World War I broke out Gleason reenlisted in the United States Army and served to the end of the war His film debut was in Polly of the Follies 1922 starring Constance Talmadge Balding and slender with a craggy voice and a master of the double take Gleason portrayed tough but warm hearted characters usually with a New York background He co wrote The Broadway Melody the second film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and had a small uncredited role in it He also co wrote and briefly appeared as a hot dog vendor in the 1934 Janet Gaynor vehicle Change of Heart He performed in a number of films with his wife Lucile In The Clock 1945 he played a milk cart driver who gives lessons in marriage to the characters played by Judy Garland and Robert Walker while Lucile played his wife The same year he played the bartender in the film adaptation of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn In the Frank Capra classic Meet John Doe he played the cynical hard boiled editor brought in to pump up the newspaper that runs with the John Doe story Gleason was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as boxing manager Max Pop Corkle in the 1941 film Here Comes Mr Jordan He starred in two movie series playing police inspector Oscar Piper in six Hildegarde Withers mystery films during the 1930s starting with The Penguin Pool Murder and Joe Higgins in the first seven of nine films about the Higgins Family in which his wife Lucile and son Russell played Lil and Sydney Higgins One of Gleason s best known roles is Uncle Birdie the kind hearted ship captain plagued by alcohol and the memory of his deceased wife in Charles Laughton s film noir classic The Night of the Hunter 1955 Gleason also performed in other media In 1931 he co starred with Robert Armstrong in the radio sitcom Gleason and Armstrong 4 His television credits include several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents the Reed Hadley legal drama The Public Defender and ABC s The Real McCoys In The Child the Christmas 1957 episode of John Payne s The Restless Gun on NBC Gleason and Anthony Caruso played Roman Catholic priests who run an orphanage 5 Gleason died in 1959 from complications related to asthma and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City California citation needed For his contributions to the motion picture industry Gleason has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7038 Hollywood Boulevard 6 Family EditJames and Lucile Gleason had a son actor Russell Gleason On December 26 1945 the younger Gleason was in New York City awaiting deployment to Europe with his regiment when he fell out of a fourth story window in the Hotel Sutton which the army had commandeered to house the troops resulting in his death Reports varied some saying the fall was accidental while others stating it was a suicide 7 8 Russell s most prominent role had been as Muller in the Academy Award winning version of All Quiet on the Western Front 1930 Russell Gleason was married to Cynthia Hobart later becoming Cynthia Lindsay a swimmer and stunt woman who later wrote a biography of family friend Boris Karloff 9 10 James Gleason was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City California Partial list of plays EditPretty Mrs Smith 1914 It Happens to Everybody 1919 The Five Million 1919 The Charm School 1920 Tangerine 1920 Like a King 1921 The Deep Tangled Wildwood 1923 The Lady Killer 1924 Is Zat So 1925 The Fall Guy 1925 The Butter and Egg Man 1925 Pomeroy s Past 1926 Sure Fire 1926 The Shannons of Broadway 1927 Rain or Shine 1928 Filmography EditYear Title Role Notes1922 Polly of the Follies Paul Gordon1928 The Count of Ten The manager1929 The Broadway Melody Music Publisher Uncredited Dialogue co written by GleasonHigh Voltage N A Screenplay co written by GleasonThe Flying Fool N A Dialogue written by GleasonOh Yeah Dusty ReillyThe Shannons of Broadway Mickey Shannon1930 Puttin On the Ritz James Jimmy Tierney Also credited with writing dialogueThe Swellhead Johnny TrumpMammy N A Based on the play Mr Bones a Musical Comedy of Minstrel Days in Two Acts by Irving Berlin and GleasonDumbbells in Ermine Mike Screenplay by Gleason and Harvey F ThewThe Fall Guy N A Based on the play The Fall Guy a Comedy in Three Acts by George Abbott and GleasonThe Matrimonial Bed Gustave CortonRain or Shine N A Based on the book of the musical Rain or Shine by Gleason and Maurice MarksHer Man SteveWhat a Widow N A Co wroteBig Money Tom1931 Three Hollywood Girls N A Screenplay by GleasonBeyond Victory Private Jim MobleyIt s a Wise Child Cool KellyA Free Soul EddieSweepstakes Sleepy JonesThe Big Gamble Squint DuganSuicide Fleet Skeets1932 Fast Companions Silk HenleyLady and Gent Pin StreaverBlondie of the Follies Pa McCluneThe Crooked Circle Arthur CrimmerThe All American Chick KnipeThe Devil Is Driving Beef EvansThe Penguin Pool Murder Police Inspector Oscar Piper1933 The Billion Dollar Scandal Ratsy HarrisClear All Wires LeftyMister Mugg N A Comedy shortThe Bowery N A Screenplay co written by GleasonHoop La Jerry1934 The Meanest Gal in Town Duke SlaterSearch for Beauty Dan HealyOrders Is Orders Ed WaggermeyerChange of Heart Hot Dog Vendor Uncredited Also credited as screenwriterMurder on the Blackboard Inspector Oscar Piper1935 Helldorado Sam BarnesTwo Fisted N A Based on the play Is Zat So by Gleason and Richard TaberMurder in the Fleet Inspector Oscar Piper Uncredited screenplay by GleasonMurder on a Honeymoon Inspector Oscar PiperWest Point of the Air Joe Bags Hot Tip Jimmy McGill Co directed with Ray McCareyWe re Only Human Detective Danny Walsh1936 Murder on a Bridle Path Police Inspector Oscar PiperThe Ex Mrs Bradford Inspector CorriganYours for the Asking SaratogaDon t Turn Em Loose Detective DanielsThe Big Game George ScottThe Plot Thickens Oscar Piper1937 Forty Naughty Girls Inspector Oscar PiperManhattan Merry Go Round Danny the Duck1938 The Higgins Family Joe HigginsArmy Girl Sergeant Three Star Hennessy1939 My Wife s Relatives Joe HigginsShould Husbands Work Joe HigginsOn Your Toes Phil Dolan Sr The Covered Trailer Joe HigginsMoney to Burn Joe Higgins1940 Grandpa Goes to Town Joe HigginsEarl of Puddlestone Joe Higgins1941 Meet John Doe Henry ConnellAffectionately Yours Chester PhillipsHere Comes Mr Jordan Max Corkle Nominated Academy Award for Best Supporting ActorTanks a Million Colonel Spitfire BarkleyNine Lives Are Not Enough Sergeant DanielsBabes on Broadway Thornton Reed1942 Hay Foot Colonel J A BarkleyA Date with the Falcon Inspector Mike O HaraMy Gal Sal Pat HawleyThe Falcon Takes Over Inspector Michael O HaraFootlight Serenade Bruce McKayTales of Manhattan Father JoeManila Calling Tim O Rourke1943 Crash Dive Chief Mike Mac McDonnellA Guy Named Joe Nails Kilpatrick1944 Once Upon a Time McGillicuddy aka the Moke Arsenic and Old Lace Police Lieutenant RooneyThe Keys of the Kingdom Reverend Dr Wilbur Fiske1945 This Man s Navy Jimmy ShannonA Tree Grows in Brooklyn McGarrityThe Clock Al Henry Milk Cart DriverCaptain Eddie Tom Clark1946 The Hoodlum Saint SnarpThe Well Groomed Bride Captain HornbyHome Sweet Homicide Sgt O HareLady Luck Sacramento Sam1947 The Homestretch Doc KilborneDown to Earth Max CorkleThe Bishop s Wife SylvesterTycoon Pop Mathews1948 Smart Woman Sam CorkleThe Dude Goes West Sam BriggsThe Return of October Uncle Willie RamseyWhen My Baby Smiles at Me Lefty Moore1949 Bad Boy ChiefThe Life of Riley GillisTake One False Step Captain GledhillMiss Grant Takes Richmond Timothy P Gleason1950 Key to the City Sergeant HoganThe Yellow Cab Man Mickey CorkinsRiding High Racing SecretaryThe Jackpot Harry SummersJoe Palooka in the Squared Circle Knobby Walsh1951 Two Gals and a Guy Max HowardJoe Palooka in Triple Cross Knobby WalshCome Fill the Cup Charley DolanI ll See You in My Dreams Fred Townsend1952 We re Not Married DuffyThe Story of Will Rogers Bert LynnWhat Price Glory General Cokely1953 Forever Female Eddie Woods1954 Hollywood Thrill Makers Risky RussellSuddenly Peter Pop Benson1955 The Night of the Hunter Birdie SteptoeThe Girl Rush Ether Ferguson1956 Star in the Dust Orval Jones1957 Spring Reunion Collie CollyerThe Restless Gun Father Terrance Episode The Child Christmas episode Man in the Shadow Hank JamesLoving You Carl Meade1958 The Female Animal Tom MaloneyMan or Gun Sheriff Jim JacksonRock A Bye Baby Doc SimpkinsOnce Upon a Horse PostmasterMoney Women and Guns Henry DeversThe Last Hurrah Cuke Gillen final film role See also EditList of actors with Academy Award nominationsReferences Edit Obituary Variety April 15 1959 page 159 James Gleason Biography Movie Highlights and Photos Mina Crolius Gleason Mother of actor James Gleason Retrieved July 19 2015 http www radioechoes com page series amp genre OTR Comedy amp series Gleason 20And 20Armstrong bare URL The Child The Restless Gun DVD Timeless Media Group Hollywood Wall of Fame Liebman Roy 2017 Broadway Actors in Films 1894 2015 McFarland p 109 ISBN 978 0 786 47685 5 Senn Bryan 2006 Golden Horrors An Illustrated Critical Filmography of Terror Cinema 1931 1939 McFarland p 327 ISBN 978 0 786 42724 6 Nollen Scott Allen 2004 Boris Karloff A Gentleman s Life Baltimore Maryland Midnight Marquee amp BearManor Media ISBN 9780879101060 Lindsey Cynthia 2004 Dear Boris The Life of William Henry Pratt a k a Boris Karloff Limelight ISBN 1887664238 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Gleason James Gleason at IMDb James Gleason at the Internet Broadway Database James Gleason at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Gleason amp oldid 1160942642, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
