James Gleason was born in New York City to William Gleason and Mina Crolius, who were both in the theatre. He was married to Lucile Gleason (born Lucile Webster), and had a son, Russell Gleason. As a young man James fought in the Spanish-American War. After the war he joined the stock company at the Liberty Theater in Oakland, California, which his parents were running. James and his wife then moved to Portland, Oregon, where they played in stock at the Baker Theater. For several years afterward they toured in road shows until James enlisted in the army during World War I. When he returned he appeared on the stage in The Five Million. He then turned to writing, including Is Zat So, which he produced for the NY stage. He also wrote and acted in The Fall Guy and The Shannons on Broadway. Next he wrote The Broadway Melody (1929) for MGM. He collaborated, in 1930, on The Swellhead (1930), Dumbbells in Ermine (1930), What a Widow! (1930), Rain or Shine (1930) and His First Command (1929). He and his wife were then contracted to Pathe, Lucille to act, and James (or Jimmie as he was known) as a writer. Probably his most famous acting role was as Max Corkle, the manager of Joe Pendleton who was wrongly plucked from this life into the next, in the hit fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941).
Lt. Rooney
Film 1944
Pa McClune
Film 1932
McGarrity
Film 1945
Duffy
Film 1952
Joe Higgins
Film 1940
Joe Higgins
Film 1939
Henry Connell
Film 1941
Fred Townsend
Film 1951
Timothy Gleason
Film 1949
Bruce McKay
Film 1942
Inspector Michael 'Mike' O'Hara
Film 1942
Fred 'Squint' Dugan
Film 1931
Risky Russell
Film 1954
Inspector Mike O'Hara
Film 1942
Max Corkle
Film 1941
Paul Gordon
Film 1922
Moke McGillicuddy
Film 1944
Max Corkle
Film 1947
Carl Meade
Film 1957
Peter 'Pop' Benson
Film 1954
Sylvester
Film 1947
Eddie
Film 1931
Dusty
Film 1929
Snarp
Film 1946
Inspector Corrigan
Film 1936
Al Henry
Film 1945
Jerry
Film 1933
Cuke Gillen
Film 1958
Police Inspector Oscar Piper
Film 1932
Pop Mathews
Film 1947
Inspector Oscar Piper
Film 1935
Sam Barnes
Film 1935
Sergeant Daniels
Film 1941
James 'Jimmy' Tierney
Film 1930
Jimmy Shannon
Film 1945
Oscar Piper
Film 1936
Colonel J. A. Barkley
Film 1942
Mickey Corkins
Film 1950
Phil Dolan Sr.
Film 1939
Bert Lynn
Film 1952
Pat Hawley
Film 1942
Joe 'Bags'
Film 1935
Harry Summers
Film 1950
Sgt. O'Hare
Film 1946
Himself
Film 1937
Johnny Trump
Film 1930
Steve
Film 1930
Eddie Woods
Film 1953
Inspector Oscar Piper
Film 1937
James Gleason
Film 1938
Ether Ferguson
Film 1955
Lefty Williams
Film 1933
Lefty Moore
Film 1948
Inspector Oscar Piper
Film 1934
Pin Streaver
Film 1932
Collie
Film 1957
Hennessy
Film 1938
Sleepy Jones
Film 1931
Skeets
Film 1931
Danny Ruff
Film 1932
Bert La Motte
Film 1929
Danny The Duck
Film 1937
Detective Daniels
Film 1936
Detective Danny Walsh
Film 1935
George Scott
Film 1936
Picture in Opening Credits
Film 1932
Gillis
Film 1949
Mike
Film 1930
Duke Slater
Film 1934
Chief
Film 1949
'Beef' Evans
Film 1932
Doc Simpkins
Film 1958
Gustave Corton
Film 1930
Sam Briggs
Film 1948
Jim Mobley
Film 1931
Tim O'Rourke
Film 1942
Captain Hornby
Film 1946
Saratoga
Film 1936
Hank James
Film 1957
Self (archive footage)
Film 2002
Dolph Grimes
Film 1958
Knobby Walsh
Film 1950
Joe Higgins
Film 1939
Jimmy
Film 1930
Joe Higgins
Film 1939
Joe Higgins
Film 1938
Cool Kelly
Film 1931
Joe Higgins
Film 1939
Spike Mc Gorey
Film 1932
Joe Higgins
Film 1940
Col. 'Spitfire' Barkley
Film 1941
Thornton Reed
Film 1941
Tom Clark
Film 1945
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Film 1941
Jimmy McGill
Film 1935
Jimmy Gleason
Film 1932
Music Publisher (uncredited)
Film 1929
Silk Henley
Film 1932
Chick Knipe
Film 1932
Husband
Film 1929
Knobby Walsh
Film 1951
"Ratsy" Harris
Film 1933
Himself
Film 1935
Tom
Film 1930
Postmaster
Film 1958
Tv 1955
Self
Tv 1950
Pete
Tv 1957
Mr. Jorgy
Tv 1955
Charles Hartford Simpson
Tv 1955
Self
Tv 1952
Reverend Mr. McCarkle
Tv 1954
Tv 1951
Noah Larkin
Tv 1952
Howard Fieldstone
Tv 1955
Ed Shafer
Tv 1955