A good Gleason Biography? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

*ClassicPinUp* · 12-08-2006, 04:09 AM

Does anyone know of a good Jackie Gleason Biography book? Art Carney's was well written..it was very detailed about his childhood-adult life, radio jobs, wounded war leg, depression, heavy drinking, new marriages, awards etc etc--but it was done tastefully. The author (Michael Seth Starr) kept his opinion out of it (well mostly) & filled the book with information *not just rumors* & stories from Art's friends/co workers & Art himself.
However, the few books about Jackie I've skimmed through seem to talk down about him.
Anyone have any suggestions?

T-Greg · 12-08-2006, 12:23 PM

Starr's book was criticized for inaccuracies, but I think he made a good attempt. Carney's limp was from a wound he suffered storming the beaches of Normandy in WWII. As far as Gleason, Jim Bishop wote the first Gleason bio., "The Golden Ham" (1956). I found it better and more honest than the 2 later ones by Weatherby and Bacon. You can find "The Golden Ham" on amazon.com (both hardback and paperback).

*ClassicPinUp* · 12-08-2006, 12:33 PM

Yeah, Art Carney was quoted in the book telling the story on how he got his limp.
Thanks for the suggestion

I'll have to buy it.

12-08-2006, 04:09 AM	#1
ClassicPinUp ***** Senior Member** Join Date: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 2,246	A good Gleason Biography? Does anyone know of a good Jackie Gleason Biography book? Art Carney's was well written..it was very detailed about his childhood-adult life, radio jobs, wounded war leg, depression, heavy drinking, new marriages, awards etc etc--but it was done tastefully. The author (Michael Seth Starr) kept his opinion out of it (well mostly) & filled the book with information not just rumors & stories from Art's friends/co workers & Art himself. However, the few books about Jackie I've skimmed through seem to talk down about him. Anyone have any suggestions?
	__________________ Imy firefighter!

12-08-2006, 12:23 PM	#2
T-Greg Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,711	Starr's book was criticized for inaccuracies, but I think he made a good attempt. Carney's limp was from a wound he suffered storming the beaches of Normandy in WWII. As far as Gleason, Jim Bishop wote the first Gleason bio., "The Golden Ham" (1956). I found it better and more honest than the 2 later ones by Weatherby and Bacon. You can find "The Golden Ham" on amazon.com (both hardback and paperback).

12-08-2006, 12:33 PM	#3
ClassicPinUp ***** Senior Member** Join Date: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 2,246	Yeah, Art Carney was quoted in the book telling the story on how he got his limp. Thanks for the suggestion I'll have to buy it.