Many people have wondered if Jack Gleeson, the Irish actor who played the notorious Joffrey Baratheon on Game of Thrones, is related to Jackie Gleason, the American actor and comedian who starred in The Honeymooners and Smokey and the Bandit. The answer is no, they are not related at all. Here’s why.
Different Origins
Jack Gleeson was born in Cork, Ireland, on May 20, 1992. He grew up in Dublin, where he attended Gonzaga College and Trinity College. He has two older sisters, Rachel and Emma, who are also involved in Irish theatre. He started acting at the age of eight, and has appeared in films such as Reign of Fire, Batman Begins, and A Shine of Rainbows
Jackie Gleason was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 26, 1916. He was named Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. at birth, but was baptized John Herbert Gleason. He grew up in a poor Irish-American family, and his father abandoned them when he was nine. He dropped out of school at 14 and worked various odd jobs to support his mother. He started performing in nightclubs and theaters as a comedian and actor, and later became a star of radio, television, and film. He had two children, Linda and Geraldine, from his first marriage to Genevieve Halford. He was married three times in total
Different Careers
Jack Gleason is best known for his role as Joffrey Baratheon on the HBO series Game of Thrones, which he played from 2011 to 2014. His portrayal of the sadistic and tyrannical king earned him critical acclaim and widespread hatred from fans. He also founded and produced for the Collapsing Horse Theatre Company in Dublin, where he performed in shows such as Monster/Clock and Bears in Space. He retired from acting after Game of Thrones, but returned to the screen in 2020 with the BBC miniseries Out of Her Mind. He will also appear in the upcoming Irish thriller film In the Land of Saints and Sinners
Jackie Gleason is best known for his role as Ralph Kramden on the CBS sitcom The Honeymooners, which he created and co-wrote. His character was a loudmouthed and short-tempered bus driver who often clashed with his wife Alice and his friend Norton. The show was one of the first to depict a working-class couple in a realistic way, and influenced many other sitcoms. He also hosted The Jackie Gleason Show, which featured comedy sketches, musical numbers, and guest stars. He also had a successful film career, starring in movies such as The Hustler, The Toy, and Smokey and the Bandit. He also had a secondary career as a musician, producing several albums of mood music. He died of colon cancer on June 24, 1987
No Family Connection
According to multiple sources, Jack Gleeson and Jackie Gleason are not related to each other or to any other famous Gleasons. They are just two talented actors who happen to share a common surname and a common profession. They have never worked together on screen or met in person.
The only possible connection between them is that they both have some Irish ancestry. Jack Gleeson is fully Irish by birth and descent, while Jackie Gleason was partly Irish by descent. His mother was born in Ireland and his father was of Irish-American origin. However, this does not mean that they are related by blood or by family ties.
There is no other common link between these two artists that might suggest a closer connection or a relationship between them. As per the sources available and their biographies, Jack Gleeson and Jackie Gleason are not related to one another in any way apart from sharing a similar-sounding name.
