Boozy Jackie Gleason Was a Living Hell - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 06-18-2013, 03:57 PM

NOW IT CAN BE TOLD! THE HONEYMOONERS “TRIXIE” JOYCE RANDOLPH tells all in a no-holds-barred interview!

Link

THE HONEYMOONERS cast was a marriage made in Heaven, but Jackie Gleason’s drinking and bizarre habits turned some days into a living hell for his co-stars, reveals Joyce Randolph, the last surviving member of the legendary sitcom’s cast.

“Working with Jackie was the toughest challenge an actress could face,” the 88-year-old, who played Art Carney’s TV wife Trixie Norton, reveals in an exclusive interview at her Manhattan apartment. “You never knew what he’d say or do. He often ad-libbed and you had to think lightning fast to keep the laughs coming.”

The classic show centered on the antics of Big Apple bus driver Ralph Kramden (Gleason), his sewer worker pal Ed Norton (Carney) and their long-suffering wives Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) and Trixie. The program’s 39 episodes ran from 1955 to 1956.

Joyce says she’d break into “cold sweats of fear” because Gleason, who died at age 71 in 1987, had a photographic memory and found the idea of rehearsing “loathsome. He wanted everything fresh and spontaneous. We rehearsed behind his back with someone else reading his part. Performing live with him, we never knew what was going to happen next with him – but we needn’t have worried.

“Jackie hardly looked at the script, and every line came out perfectly. You were always on your toes to keep up with him.”

Joyce says Gleason also was “terribly moody.” He’d be “fun and charming” one day, but the next “he’d be barking out orders as if he hated everyone!”

Tactfully speaking about Gleason’s legendary thirst for alcohol, Joyce says she knew his coffee was often laced with whiskey, which “affected his mood.”

After The Honeymooners, Joyce concentrated on her family. She and her wealthy marketing exec hubby Richard Charles, who died in 1997 at age 74, had one son, Randolph Charles, in 1960.

“Nowadays, I don’t want to play old lady parts,” Joyce says.

“Nor do they make shows like the Honeymooners anymore – so my acting career is definitely over.”

But not a day goes by that she doesn’t think of her costars. “It’s hard to believe I’m the last one left,” says Joyce.

“I get quite tearful when I see re-runs of The Honeymooners. I still remember every line, every joke. It’s still funny all these years later. Jackie Gleason was a comedic genius.”

Mickey4ever · 06-24-2013, 11:06 AM

I don't see this as a "I hated Jackie", but more of an honest assessment of him and his personality. Doesn't sound as if she is bitter, just recalling her days working with Gleason. I know not all comedic geniuses have rough personalities and are known for their kindnesses, but I think more times than not, people of his caliber of talent often have something 'dark' inside. From what I've read of him, he had a heart of gold.

LittleRickyII · 06-24-2013, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey4ever

I don't see this as a "I hated Jackie", but more of an honest assessment of him and his personality. Doesn't sound as if she is bitter, just recalling her days working with Gleason. I know not all comedic geniuses have rough personalities and are known for their kindnesses, but I think more times than not, people of his caliber of talent often have something 'dark' inside. From what I've read of him, he had a heart of gold.

I agree. And this is pretty much what Audrey Meadows used to say, except for the part about the alcohol which I don't remember her mentioning. However, his drinking was quite legendary, so that's no big revelation, either. I think Ms. Randolph's real point here is that Jackie Gleason was human. I do remember years ago, however, she was very disappointed that she was not invited to participate in the Honeymooners specials in the '70s. She was quoted in a Whatever Became of book. Instead, he got Jane Kean to play the part of Trixie. I'm sure that was very hurtful to her that he would bring Audrey Meadows back from the classic '50s cast, but not her.

Mickey4ever · 06-25-2013, 11:28 PM

Is it stated anywhere why he chose to not bring Ms.Randolph back when they did the newer episodes?

ramuno · 06-26-2013, 06:10 AM

I was the last person to direct (on The Ted Knight Show) Audrey. I saw Jackie "go up" (forget a line) once and Audrey fed him the line. I asked her about that and she reminded me that, except for on e season, the series was a sketch as part of his variety show. He was actively involved in every aspect with several sketches. They only rehearsed the Honeymooners sketch once. She only had the one scene and knew his lines and was able to help.

Mickey4ever · 06-26-2013, 07:59 PM

Mr. Ramuno..I so enjoyed your post! I'm just an everyday person who grew up with these shows, still enjoys watching them and coming to the forums here on Sitcoms Online to see what others are saying and thinking about the 'old days of TV'.

I read your profile and you have had a wonderful career and probably know so many stars and have worked with many of them also. Thanks for sharing the conversation you had with Miss Meadows.

ramuno · 06-26-2013, 08:27 PM

Mickey, thanks for the kind words. I am like you and have always enjoyed TV and, especially, TV comedies. I have been so lucky to have worked with many of the greats and future greats.

I was an occasional member of this website before I wrote a book on sitcoms, which is now sold out. A second edition is coming soon. The New Sticom Career Book

Phil Ramuno

Mickey4ever · 06-26-2013, 08:55 PM

I will have to check out your book!

Although I'm certainly not at an age to be looking for a new career in show-biz

...LOL...it does sound like interesting reading!

W.B. · 07-08-2025, 04:58 PM

Reading the various bios, The Great One: The Life and Legend of Jackie Gleason author William A. Henry III seemed to take literally one of Gleason's half-joking quotes about his casting policies on Alice and Trixie. Based on the history of "The Honeymooners" and the career trajectories of the participants, it would seem post-1957 his casting of Alice was contingent on Miss Meadows' availability. When, in 1962, he cast Sue Ann Langdon as Alice for occasional "Honeymooners" sketches on his new American Scene Magazine, Audrey was off filming her supporting roles in two movies - the Cary Grant/Doris Day rom-com That Touch of Mink, and the Jimmy Stewart/Sandra Dee flick Take Her, She's Mine (in the Broadway production of which Art Carney had co-starred). Henry also erred in referring to Sheila MacRae (who played Alice from 1966 to 1970, with one more turn in Gleason's 1973 special) as "another young and pretty blonde, like Sue Ann Langdon"; Miss MacRae was about three and a half months older than Miss Meadows - who would be available on certain occasions, like the 1966 musical remake of "The Adoption" and the four 1976-78 ABC Honeymooners specials. (Otherwise, she was rolling in the residuals from the Classic 39 episodes, and settled into her marriage to Continental Airlines head Robert Six.)

Where Jackie was more casual in matters of casting was with Trixie - highlighted and illuminated by his retaining Jane Kean as Mrs. Norton for those four '70's shows, even with Miss Meadows on board, and in spite of Honeymooners fans' contention that Joyce Randolph was the Trixie - yet she and Gleason hadn't been in touch between 1957 and 1985 when he held the press conference announcing the "finding" of "Lost Episodes." Miss Randolph hadn't even been in that 1966 "Adoption" remake, the producers at the time claimed Trixie wasn't in the script - but she (and Trixie) were part of the original 1955 version of that. Go figure.

06-18-2013, 03:57 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,420	Boozy Jackie Gleason Was a Living Hell NOW IT CAN BE TOLD! THE HONEYMOONERS “TRIXIE” JOYCE RANDOLPH tells all in a no-holds-barred interview! Link THE HONEYMOONERS cast was a marriage made in Heaven, but Jackie Gleason’s drinking and bizarre habits turned some days into a living hell for his co-stars, reveals Joyce Randolph, the last surviving member of the legendary sitcom’s cast. “Working with Jackie was the toughest challenge an actress could face,” the 88-year-old, who played Art Carney’s TV wife Trixie Norton, reveals in an exclusive interview at her Manhattan apartment. “You never knew what he’d say or do. He often ad-libbed and you had to think lightning fast to keep the laughs coming.” The classic show centered on the antics of Big Apple bus driver Ralph Kramden (Gleason), his sewer worker pal Ed Norton (Carney) and their long-suffering wives Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) and Trixie. The program’s 39 episodes ran from 1955 to 1956. Joyce says she’d break into “cold sweats of fear” because Gleason, who died at age 71 in 1987, had a photographic memory and found the idea of rehearsing “loathsome. He wanted everything fresh and spontaneous. We rehearsed behind his back with someone else reading his part. Performing live with him, we never knew what was going to happen next with him – but we needn’t have worried. “Jackie hardly looked at the script, and every line came out perfectly. You were always on your toes to keep up with him.” Joyce says Gleason also was “terribly moody.” He’d be “fun and charming” one day, but the next “he’d be barking out orders as if he hated everyone!” Tactfully speaking about Gleason’s legendary thirst for alcohol, Joyce says she knew his coffee was often laced with whiskey, which “affected his mood.” After The Honeymooners, Joyce concentrated on her family. She and her wealthy marketing exec hubby Richard Charles, who died in 1997 at age 74, had one son, Randolph Charles, in 1960. “Nowadays, I don’t want to play old lady parts,” Joyce says. “Nor do they make shows like the Honeymooners anymore – so my acting career is definitely over.” But not a day goes by that she doesn’t think of her costars. “It’s hard to believe I’m the last one left,” says Joyce. “I get quite tearful when I see re-runs of The Honeymooners. I still remember every line, every joke. It’s still funny all these years later. Jackie Gleason was a comedic genius.”
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

06-26-2013, 08:55 PM	#8
Mickey4ever Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2009 Posts: 82	I will have to check out your book! Although I'm certainly not at an age to be looking for a new career in show-biz...LOL...it does sound like interesting reading!

06-24-2013, 11:06 AM	#2
Mickey4ever Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2009 Posts: 82	I don't see this as a "I hated Jackie", but more of an honest assessment of him and his personality. Doesn't sound as if she is bitter, just recalling her days working with Gleason. I know not all comedic geniuses have rough personalities and are known for their kindnesses, but I think more times than not, people of his caliber of talent often have something 'dark' inside. From what I've read of him, he had a heart of gold.

06-25-2013, 11:28 PM	#4
Mickey4ever Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2009 Posts: 82	Is it stated anywhere why he chose to not bring Ms.Randolph back when they did the newer episodes?

06-26-2013, 06:10 AM	#5
ramuno Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 24, 2004 Location: Agoura, California Posts: 31	I was the last person to direct (on The Ted Knight Show) Audrey. I saw Jackie "go up" (forget a line) once and Audrey fed him the line. I asked her about that and she reminded me that, except for on e season, the series was a sketch as part of his variety show. He was actively involved in every aspect with several sketches. They only rehearsed the Honeymooners sketch once. She only had the one scene and knew his lines and was able to help.

06-26-2013, 07:59 PM	#6
Mickey4ever Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2009 Posts: 82	Mr. Ramuno..I so enjoyed your post! I'm just an everyday person who grew up with these shows, still enjoys watching them and coming to the forums here on Sitcoms Online to see what others are saying and thinking about the 'old days of TV'. I read your profile and you have had a wonderful career and probably know so many stars and have worked with many of them also. Thanks for sharing the conversation you had with Miss Meadows.

06-26-2013, 08:27 PM	#7
ramuno Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 24, 2004 Location: Agoura, California Posts: 31	Mickey, thanks for the kind words. I am like you and have always enjoyed TV and, especially, TV comedies. I have been so lucky to have worked with many of the greats and future greats. I was an occasional member of this website before I wrote a book on sitcoms, which is now sold out. A second edition is coming soon. The New Sticom Career Book Phil Ramuno

07-08-2025, 04:58 PM	#9
W.B. Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 23, 2005 Location: New York, New York, USA Posts: 389	Reading the various bios, The Great One: The Life and Legend of Jackie Gleason author William A. Henry III seemed to take literally one of Gleason's half-joking quotes about his casting policies on Alice and Trixie. Based on the history of "The Honeymooners" and the career trajectories of the participants, it would seem post-1957 his casting of Alice was contingent on Miss Meadows' availability. When, in 1962, he cast Sue Ann Langdon as Alice for occasional "Honeymooners" sketches on his new American Scene Magazine, Audrey was off filming her supporting roles in two movies - the Cary Grant/Doris Day rom-com That Touch of Mink, and the Jimmy Stewart/Sandra Dee flick Take Her, She's Mine (in the Broadway production of which Art Carney had co-starred). Henry also erred in referring to Sheila MacRae (who played Alice from 1966 to 1970, with one more turn in Gleason's 1973 special) as "another young and pretty blonde, like Sue Ann Langdon"; Miss MacRae was about three and a half months older than Miss Meadows - who would be available on certain occasions, like the 1966 musical remake of "The Adoption" and the four 1976-78 ABC Honeymooners specials. (Otherwise, she was rolling in the residuals from the Classic 39 episodes, and settled into her marriage to Continental Airlines head Robert Six.) Where Jackie was more casual in matters of casting was with Trixie - highlighted and illuminated by his retaining Jane Kean as Mrs. Norton for those four '70's shows, even with Miss Meadows on board, and in spite of Honeymooners fans' contention that Joyce Randolph was *the* Trixie - yet she and Gleason hadn't been in touch between 1957 and 1985 when he held the press conference announcing the "finding" of "Lost Episodes." Miss Randolph hadn't even been in that 1966 "Adoption" remake, the producers at the time claimed Trixie wasn't in the script - but she (and Trixie) were part of the original 1955 version of that. Go figure.