James Gleason
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Gleason (May 23, 1882 – April 12, 1959) was an American actor born in New York City. He was also a playwright and screenwriter.
Gleason portrayed tough but warm-hearted characters, usually with a New York background, and appeared in several movies with his wife Lucille. Gleason co-wrote and briefly appeared as a hot dog vendor in the 1934 Janet Gaynor vehicle Change of Heart and played a milk cart driver who gives lessons in marriage to Judy Garland and Robert Walker in the 1945 film, The Clock, in which Lucille played his wife. In that year he played the bartender in the film adaptation of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Gleason also is remembered for playing police Inspector Oscar Piper in a series of mystery films during the 1930s. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Max 'Pop' Corkle in the 1941 film, Here Comes Mr. Jordan.
On his passing, James Gleason was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
[edit] Partial Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1941 | Here Comes Mr. Jordan | Max Corkle |
| 1941 | Meet John Doe | Henry Connell |
| 1947 | The Bishop's Wife | Sylvester |
| 1955 | The Night of the Hunter | Birdie Steptoe |
| 1957 | Loving You | Carl Meade |
[edit] External links
- James Gleason at the Internet Movie Database
- Uncle Birdie Steptoe 500 image 1955 Night of the Hunter gallery
