Gleason

Gleason

How Sweet It Was!

2002 · 90 min · ★ 5.4 · Drama, TV Movie

The story begins at the height of Gleason's career. He has it all: women, wealth, and extraordinary power. But he is haunted by memories of his childhood. Gleason spends his formative years entering amateur contests, performing in sleazy night spots. Along the way, he steals gags from the best comics in town and finds love with Genevieve, a dancer whom he marries. But Gleason isn't the ideal husband or even a responsible father as he abandons his family to answer the call of Hollywood. Brash, arrogant, and egotistical, he alienates his directors and the man who discovers him. When he ends up back in New York, Gleason gets one of those rare second chances in the new medium of television, creating some of its most unforgettable characters. But even as Gleason becomes the talk of the tube, his life - ruled by demons of rage, booze, and insecurity - unravels.

Directed by Howard Deutch · Written by Michael Preminger

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Cast

Brad Garrett Jackie Gleason
Saul Rubinek George 'Bullets' Durgom
Gretchen Egolf Genevieve Halford
Kristen Dalton Audrey Meadows
Michael Chieffo Art Carney
Danny Wells Jack L. Warner
Mark Camacho Sammy Birch
Jason Blicker Sol Friedman
Vlasta Vrana Toots Shor
Shawn Lawrence William S. Paley
Kevin Dunn Jack Philbin
Terry Farrell Marilyn Taylor

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1h 57m together

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