"And awa-a-aay we go!"

Jackie Gleason got his feet wet in motion pictures in the early forties, but “The Great One” really found his calling in television. His first role was somewhat unmemorable as the short-lived star of The Life of Riley, before William Bendix (who played Riley on the radio) took over the role. Gleason’s next attempt would be far more successful, as the host of Dumont’s Cavalcade of Stars, where his antics and versatility propelled the show to the second-highest rated in the country. Considering its popularity, It seemed only fitting to rename the program The Jackie Gleason Show.

The show had all of the dance numbers and musical performances that one would expect from a variety show of the era and Gleason handled the hosting duties with ease. Where he really shined, however, was in the sketch comedy, which allowed him to develop the comic timing that would eventually make him a television icon. In 1955, he would put The Jackie Gleason Show on hold for a year while shooting The Honeymooners series. Surprisingly, the ratings in the first year were not all that spectacular, and by 1956, he was back to hosting the variety show. Of course, The Honeymooners would eventually become one of the most endearing and enduring sitcoms of all time, perhaps only second to I Love Lucy.

Meanwhile, The Jackie Gleason Show would continue to run in its hour format until 1957, when the show was shortened to a half-hour. Even with the addition of a young Buddy Hackett as his sidekick, the new format would only last a single season. When Gleason tried hosting a game show in 1961 called You’re in the Picture, it only lasted one episode, but still under contractual obligations, he would switch the format to a talk show for the remainder of the season. This was also called The Jackie Gleason Show, not to be confused with the earlier incarnation.

A dabbler in musical composer, Gleason composed the theme to The Jackie Gleason Show, as well as The Honeymooners. He also returned to the film business in the early 60s and received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Minnesota Fats in The Hustler. His other roles from that decade were somewhat less notable but there were big things on the horizon for the one that followed. In 1977, he would take on the role of Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the enormously successful film Smokey and the Bandit and pretty much steal the show. He would also reprise the role in the two sequels that followed.

From his role as host of The Jackie Gleason Show to blowhard Ralph Kramden to the oft-imitated Sheriff Justice, few performers have left their mark on the industry quite like The Great One.