Jackie Gleason Was Called “The Great One,” But Few Know The Real Disturbing Reason For His Nickname

Jackie Gleason, popularly referred to as “The Great One,” stands tall as a luminary in American entertainment. His comedic odyssey commenced in Vaudeville, where he diligently refined his humorous prowess and stage charisma. From the 1940s to the 1970s, Gleason’s trajectory made him a true television star, starting with 1949’s The Life of Riley and continuing through Cavalcade of Stars and his own The Jackie Gleason Show, which would see its enormously popular skits spun off as the classic The Honeymooners. soared On top of that, he starred in a number of classic films, among them The Hustler (1961), Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Nothing in Common (1986).

Although Gleason’s career was undoubtedly marked by comedic brilliance, his life was tumultuous behind the scenes as he grappled with personal and professional tribulations that shaped his journey in unexpected ways.

Jackie Gleason battled alcohol abuse and was a chain-smoker

Growing up, Gleason faced a tumultuous childhood. His elder brother’s untimely death from meningitis left a profound void in his family, compounded by his father’s decision to abandon them, leaving the young boy with no choice but to step into the role of the family’s provider. Amid adversity, he discovered an unexpected gift — a natural talent for comedy.

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As he honed his comedic skills, success began to follow, but with it came the intense pressures of fame and the relentless demands of his craft. These newfound challenges took a heavy toll on him, pushing him to the brink. In his struggle to cope with the overwhelming demands of his career, he turned to alcohol as a means of escape — a dark cloud that threatened to overshadow his undeniable talent. On top of that, he smoked up to six packs of cigarettes a day.

Jackie Gleason’s had a tumultuous love life

Gleason’s personal life was a rollercoaster of tumultuous marriages and divorces, starkly contrasting the larger-than-life characters he portrayed on screen. His romantic journey began with a twist when he was unexpectedly swept into matrimony by longtime girlfriend Genevieve Halford in September 1936, even though he wasn’t quite ready for such a commitment. Despite the union blessing them with two daughters, it was marred by a series of infidelity allegations, initially involving Honey Merrill and later Marilyn Taylor, culminating in an official separation in 1970.

Ten days after finalizing his divorce from Halford, Gleason embarked on another chapter in his love life by marrying McKittrick. However, this marriage was not destined to be a lasting one, as it crashed in 1975. Following this, the comedian found his way back to his former love interest Taylor, whom he tied the knot with in December 1975. Remarkably, the marriage lasted until his passing in 1987 at age 71 from colon cancer, phlebitis, and diabetes.