What's After the Movie
James Gleason
James Gleason (born James Austin Gleason on May 23, 1882 in New York City) was a prolific American actor, playwright, and screenwriter whose career spanned the silent era to the late 1950s. Raised by Mina Crolius and William L. Gleason, he began working at age thirteen in various menial jobs before enlisting in the United States Army at sixteen and serving three years in the Philippines, an experience that later informed his gritty on‑screen persona. After World War I he returned to the stage, performing in London for two years and then writing and acting in Broadway productions such as The Butter and Egg Man and Is Zat So?, establishing a reputation as a master of quick wit and double‑take delivery. Gleason entered Hollywood with a supporting role in Polly of the Follies (1922) and quickly became known for portraying tough‑talking, world‑weary characters who concealed a secret heart of gold, a typecast he embraced in classics like The Clock (1945) and Meet John Doe (1941). He co‑wrote the landmark musical The Broadway Melody, the second film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his poignant turn as Max “Pop” Corkle in Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he headlined popular series, playing police inspector Oscar Piper in the Hildegarde Withers mysteries and father Joe Higgins in the Higgins Family comedies, often appearing alongside his wife Lucile Webster Gleason, with whom he shared both stage and screen credits. In addition to film, Gleason ventured into radio with Gleason and Armstrong (1931) and made television appearances on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Real McCoys, demonstrating his adaptability across media. His later years featured memorable roles such as the kindly, in‑drunk ship captain Uncle Birdie in Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter (1955). James Gleason’s contributions were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he remained active in the industry until his death from asthmatic complications on April 12, 1959, leaving a legacy of rugged charm and unmistakable character work.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about James Gleason, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how James Gleason rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: James Austin Gleason
Born: New York City, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: May 23, 1882
Occupations: Actor, Playwright, Screenwriter
Years Active: 1914-1959
Children: 1
Spouses: Lucile Webster
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring James Gleason
The Bishop's Wife
The Night of the Hunter
Shadow of the Blair Witch
For Richer, for Poorer
Meet John Doe
The Well Groomed Bride
Crash Dive
The Crooked Circle
The Return of October
Nine Lives Are Not Enough
Tales of Manhattan
This Man’s Navy
Bad Boy
The Devil Is Driving
The Hoodlum Saint
The Life of Riley
Come Fill the Cup
What Price Glory
Murder on a Honeymoon
Take One False Step
Arsenic and Old Lace
The Big Gamble
Murder on the Blackboard
A Date with the Falcon
Breakdowns of 1941
Star
Here Comes Mr. Jordan
Footlight Serenade
The Clock
Puttin’ on the Ritz
The Meanest Gal in Town
The Penguin Pool Murder
The Yellow Cab Man
The World’s Greatest Lover
Key to the City
Smart Woman
The Last Hurrah
Boris and Natasha
Star in the Dust
West Point of the Air
Affectionately Yours
The Story of Will Rogers
When My Baby Smiles at Me
Army Girl
Tycoon
The Falcon Takes Over
Hay Foot
The Matrimonial Bed
Spring Reunion
A Guy Named Joe
Captain Eddie
Rock-a-Bye Baby
Her Man
The Plot Thickens
Forever Female
Change of Heart
My Gal Sal
Murder on a Bridle Path
The Jackpot
Manhattan Merry-Go-Round
Clear All Wires!
Suddenly
Loving You
Money, Women and Guns
Sawbones
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Forty Naughty Girls
Down to Earth
The Homestretch
Riding High
Hollywood Hobbies
A Free Soul
Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds In Love
Suicide Fleet
Blondie of the Follies
Hoopla
The Keys of the Kingdom
We’re Not Married!
Hot Tip
Babes on Broadway
Tanks a Million
Rookie of the Year
The Ex-Mrs. Bradford
Lady and Gent
The Girl Rush
I’ll See You in My Dreams
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Search for Beauty
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of James Gleason, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1950
The Yellow Cab Man
Mickey Corkins
Key to the City
Sergeant Hogan
The Jackpot
Harry Summers
Riding High
Racing Secretary
1948
The Bishop's Wife
The Return of October
Uncle Willie Ramsey
Smart Woman
Sam Corkle
When My Baby Smiles at Me
Lefty Moore
1945
This Man’s Navy
Jimmy Shannon
The Clock
Al Henry
Captain Eddie
Tom Clark
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
McGarrity
1942
Tales of Manhattan
Joe - Mission Aid Society
A Date with the Falcon
Inspector Michael 'Mike' O'Hara
Footlight Serenade
Bruce McKay
The Falcon Takes Over
Inspector Mike O'Hara
Hay Foot
Colonel J. A. Barkley
My Gal Sal
Pat Hawley
1941
Meet John Doe
Henry Connell
Nine Lives Are Not Enough
Sergeant Daniels
Breakdowns of 1941
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Here Comes Mr. Jordan
Max Corkle
Affectionately Yours
'Chet' Phillips
Babes on Broadway
Thornton Reed
Tanks a Million
Col. 'Spitfire' Barkley
1936
The Plot Thickens
Oscar Piper
Murder on a Bridle Path
Police Insp. Oscar Piper
The Ex-Mrs. Bradford
Inspector Corrigan
1935
Murder on a Honeymoon
Inspector Oscar Piper
West Point of the Air
Joe 'Bags'
Hollywood Hobbies
Himself
Hot Tip
Jimmy McGill
1934
Murder on the Blackboard
Inspector Oscar Piper
The Meanest Gal in Town
Duke Slater
Change of Heart
Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited)
Search for Beauty
Dan Healy
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