Jackie Gleason was a popular entertainer famous for his role in the television sitcom The Honeymooners, which launched him into stardom by the 1960s.
Biography[]
Gleason was heavily interested in UFOs and the occult, having amassed a collection of over 1,700 books on the subjects. His Peekskill, New York home, which he referred to as the "Mothership" was circle-shaped, which he believed to improve mental function.[1]
In February 1973, Gleason participated in a charity golf tournament with President Richard Nixon, during which he urged the President to publicize the government's research into UFOs. The pair retired to Nixon's home in Key Biscayne where they met Douglas Milford and further discussed the subject. Nixon summoned a car to take them to Homestead Air Force Base and swore them to secrecy as an unidentified general escorted them to a viewing room. There, they were shown a pale figure which appeared and disappeared. The sight stunned Gleason, who did not speak another word until they parted ways with Milford.[1]
Gleason confided in his wife what he had seen, which led to a period of depression that lasted for several weeks. She wrote about this in a memoir, but Gleason requested for her to not publish it. During an interview later in his life, Gleason vaguely referenced the event.[1]
Following his death in 1987, Gleason's collection of books were donated to the University of Miami.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
Jackie Gleason (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987) was an American entertainer most famous for his roles in the television shows The Honeymooners and The Jackie Gleason Show.
Robert Knepper voiced Gleason in the audiobook version of The Secret History of Twin Peaks.
