James Gleason Biography

Fast Facts

• Was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Calif
• As a schoolboy, he made stage appearances during his holidays
• Served 3 years in the Philippines after enlisting in the United States Army at the age of 16
• Supported himself at the age of 13 as a messenger boy, a printer's devil, an assistant in an electrical store and a lift boy
• Quote: "I was carried on in my first part in a play called 'Clouds' when I was 2 months old․"
• Often portrayed tough, but warm-hearted characters, often with a New York background, and was a master of the double-take
• Originally made a name for himself in New York as an actor and a playwright