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Biographies of The Honeymooners
Jackie Gleason
 Comic actor Jackie Gleason always lived up to his nickname, "The Great One." Born in Brooklyn on February 16, 1916, Gleason had a tough ride growing up in the boroughs of New York City. His father deserted his family when he was eight, forcing his mother to take a job as a subway token clerk. Gleason had become a bit of a street urchin by age 15 when he won a local talent contest. The contest led directly to a series of entertainment jobs including emcee, disc jockey and a stint exhibition diving in Atlantic City.
In 1940, Gleason landed a contract with Warner Brothers after being spotted at a nightclub by none other than Jack Warner himself. He appeared in five films as a bit player before returning to the nightclubs of New York and eventually appearing on Broadway. His first television series, The Life of Riley debuted in 1949, but the ratings were low and he was replaced. One year later, Gleason appeared on Cavalcade of Stars and his career took off. Cavalcade was a hit, and Jackie Gleason became a television star. Soon he was creating a wide range of characters, including Ralph Kramden and others that would eventually become The Honeymooners.
In addition to his roles on television, Gleason had an active recording career, releasing several albums, and he also appeared in numerous Broadway shows and feature films. In 1962, Gleason earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Minnesota Fats in The Hustler. In the 1970s, Gleason played Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the three very successful Smokey and the Bandit movies. He worked steadily until 1986, when he was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer. Gleason died on June 24, 1987.
Audrey Meadows
 Born to missionary parents in China, Audrey and her sister Jayne spoke only Chinese when they arrived in the United States as little girls. Audrey intended to become a journalist, and only tried her hand at acting after being persuaded to by her sister.
Soon Audrey was singing soprano at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway opposite Phil Silvers in Top Banana. Television appearances followed, including roles on Bob and Ray, Club Embassy and The Jackie Gleason Show.
Meadows continued in several guest roles throughout the '60s until she temporarily retired from show business to dedicate herself to her husband, Robert Six, and his company, Continental Airlines, as honorary vice president of sales. She returned to television in a 1977 Honeymooners reunion, after which she appeared in several guest spots on shows like The Love Boat and had an extended role on the sitcom Too Close for Comfort. Meadows died of lung cancer in 1996.
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