The Great One: The Life and Legend of Jackie Gleason

by William A. Henry III

Strips beneath the glitz, glamour, fame, and power of Jackie Gleason's life to reveal an enormously talented, yet deeply private and angry man who was often lonely and depressed. 50,000 first printing. Major ad/promo. Tour.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

321 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Anthony Ventrello · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about a great man. Although not always flattering, it is brutally honest.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up watching "The American Scene Magazine" and on reruns, the classic 39 "Honeymooners" episodes, I enjoyed reading this. I would have liked more details on Gleason's body of work, but as this was written in 1992, before DVDs and Youtube, that was undoubtedly harder to come by than today. A number of reviewers criticized this biography as too negative in its portrayal of Gleason, but I don't doubt his drinking made him difficult to work with. Art Carney, who played Ralph Kramden's long suffering best friend Ed Norton, comes off as a saint in comparison. These days I find it bittersweet to finish effective biographies. For a short time, someone whose work has given you pleasure is still alive.

[Thomas Radigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is no puff piece; it depicts Jackie Gleason as an irresponsible, arrogant party boy who was unpleasant to work with and essentially lived in his own world, rarely being nice to other people and usually nasty to most of them.

Born to poor parents with an older brother who died in childhood, his mother would be possessive of him while his father would desert the family, never to reappear. Always infected with a passion for performing in front of an audience, he did not stay in school or work any regular job that did not involve performing before an audience. His mother died of ill health and then Jackie would go on performing wherever he could. But all his life he would dress up in fancy clothes and drink and eat a huge amount, and party with male friends. He married an unsuitable woman and have two daughters with her that he hardly visited.

The author mentions having talked to many people who Gleason met in his life, including many performers and people behind the scenes, and looked up many records of what Gleason had done in his life so we can assume the author sprung for accuracy and not gossip. The impression of Gleason presented by the book is not positive, showing what he could and could not do, but also showing the bad way he treated many people. The book itself has its flaws in skipping between time periods and repeating itself; editing would have helped immensely. But from all indications this book presents an accurate if unflattering depiction of Jackie Gleason.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

There could stand to be a little more comedy in a book about a comedic genius, but William A. Henry III seems more hellbent on exposing Jackie Gleason as being a heel than truly delving into the work he did that made him a comedic icon. I'm not criticizing Henry's choice of clinging to the truth in his portrayal of the facts, but it goes without saying that in this biography he makes a clear choice to leave the comedy and work, which are the main reasons we know Gleason's name to begin with, on the curbside and instead selects to dig in the dirt, of which he finds a great deal. One day someone is going to write a biography of Jackie Gleason that captures him in all his immensity. I'll be first in line to buy that book.

[Kevin LaBrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, what to say... I love Jackie Gleason but I think the author was a bit too thorough and when he couldn't pinpoint what happened during certain situations, he gave you multiple ways it could have happened. I guess its better than making stuff up but i would have figured the author would have narrowed some of the situations down a bit. There was also very little about Gleason's "Smokey and the Bandit" days which was what i was a fan of and looking forward to reading about. Overall though, a very truthful depiction of the man, no marveling at his star power.

[Warbotter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not all comics are sad. Some are just angry and petty. Gleason falls in the middle. All mirth is swept away by his jealousy, All Laughs stifled by his cheating. He just never seemed happy no matter how much the world bent over to tell him how great he was. Separate artist from Art can be hard , harder when you know the process could often be heavily tense. It actually made me less a fan sadly. The Author is not at fault for a subject that just turns your stomach.

[George Magnani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read 300+ pages and I gave up. This author, William A. Henry III, made reading a bummer. Why would the author title the book The Great One if he thought Jackie Gleason was not great at all? He disputed everything that Gleason said or was said to have said. He didn't praise the man for his talents or his durability in show business. Awful writer!

[Debbie Denson Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sad to read that someone who used to make you laugh was really a very sad person. Isn't that the way it always seems to be? Jackie Gleason had a tragic life and to me it seems that he never really learned to love others like he should.
I enjoy reading about other peoples lives, but then you can sometimes get disappointed in what they share with the world and what is behind the scenes.

[Doug Caldwell]

This is an overwhelming comprehensive biography of the Great One. Covering everything and I mean everything from his childhood in Brooklyn NY and death in FL the reader gets it all. There was a lot more to Gleason than just the Honeymooners.

[Paulhrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the like of The Great One, but probably only for diehard Gleason fans.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yikes. Familiarity really does breed contempt.

[Jake Mabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I have ever read. Gleason emerges as a tragic figure who often succeeded in spite of himself.

[Robin O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackie Gleason was pretty complicated. Some funny stories but too many disappointing ones. We watched him every Sunday night as a family and those are great memories.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent biography of the multi-talented comic, actor, composer, and music conductor Jackie Gleason. Gleason's bleak childhood produced a very moody adult throughout his life, given to fits of depression. His gargantuan appetite for both food and alcohol is legendary and obviously this was his way of keeping his demons at bay.

I felt a lot of sadness for Gleason while reading the book, as it appears he spent very little time actually enjoying and appreciating all his contributions to the entertainment industry. The book appears to have been very well-researched and the author spoke to many of Gleason's relatives, friends and associates at length, lending credence to the material within. A well-written book, but one wishes Gleason's life had been happier and more fulfilling.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a Jackie Gleason and "Honeymooner" fan and felt the author of this book was not. The book seemed to be page after page of attacks on Gleason and all his down falls. W.Henry did not really "know" Jackie and I'm not sure if he even has his facts correct. I felt he would carry on way to much for details that were not important and really didn't give Gleason much credit as to why he was called "The Great One". I am looking forward to reading the books written by friends of Jackie Gleason such as Audrey Meadows "My Life As A Honeymooner" or "Jackie Gleason: An Intimate Portrait" to see if there is any comparison. Regardless of how this author tried to destroy any joy I found in Gleason, Jackie still and will always be one of my favorite comedian of all times.(less)

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry did his research on this book; the only piece really missing is the family who at the time had a policy of silence. He asks many of the right questions and explores a complicated person but unfortunately he also reveals his personal feelings about Gleason with asides. The unbiased reader is quickly put in an awkward and unnecessary position. A better editor should have reduced the bias. Still this is a compelling read.

[Patrick Nichol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful profile of The Great One, with plenty of early stuff you didn't know, such as his near career-ending early films. This is a rich portrayal of one of the funniest talents of the 20th century.

[Mary Baker holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even though it was heavy on the TV and movie production details.

I had no idea the poverty of Gleason's youth and the dysfunctional family life he endured. His background made him the man he became; talented, lonely, obsessive, generous, and a dual personality.

[GrannyLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy but truthful biography of one of the most important and influencial actors/entertainers of the 20th century. Filled with much heartache and sorrow, I came away feeling love and understanding for the "Great One". A must read for Gleason/Honeymooners fans.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was very well written...but I realized that I was not that interested in Jackie Gleason and the story of a famous person struggling with personal demons is all too familiar. I stopped after about 100 pages.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information at the beginning. Dragged in the middle. Somewhat repetitive.