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Gleason (2002 film)

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Gleason
Screenplay byRick Podell
Michael Preminger
Directed byHoward Deutch
StarringBrad Garrett
Theme music composerChris Boardman
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerJudy Cairo-Simpson
CinematographyKen Roach
Neil Roach
EditorSeth Flaum
Running time120 minutes
Production companiesBarbara Lieberman Productions
Robert Greenwald Productions
Hallmark Entertainment
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseOctober 13, 2002 (2002-10-13)

Gleason is a 2002 television film directed by Howard Deutch and starring Brad Garrett as Jackie Gleason.[1][2] The film premiered on CBS on October 13, 2002.

Plot

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Cast

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Production

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Back in 1997, Garrett was set to portray Gleason in a television biopic for CBS, with the script written by Everybody Loves Raymond creator Philip Rosenthal, but it never came to fruition.[3]

When he learned that CBS acquired the rights to Gleason's life story, Garrett personally lobbied to the network to portray the role. Initially, CBS offered the part of Gleason to Mark Addy. However, Addy dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, thus Garrett was officially cast as Gleason.[3][4]

Garrett reportedly disapproved of the script written by Rick Podell and Michael Preminger. With assistance from Deutch, Garrett and his writer friend Dave Boone wrote an uncredited rewrite of the script.[3][4]

Garrett and Deutch paid Greg Cannom with their own money for him to apply for the makeup needed for Garrett to look like Gleason. It took Garrett three hours to put on the makeup and an hour and a half to take it off.[3]

Unlike Gleason, who was 5 feet 11 in real life, Garrett was 6 feet 8 at the time of filming; in order for Garrett to appear as if he were 5 feet 11, the other cast members wore boots with seven-inch lifts and the doorways on the set were built at 8 feet rather than the usual 6 feet 9.[3][4]

The film was shot in Montreal.[5]

Accolades

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For his performance, Garrett was nominated for both the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. Deutch was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Miller, Darryl H. (12 October 2002). "'Gleason' Just Skims the Star's Surface". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. ^ Hart, Hugh (10 October 2002). "And awaaay he goes / Brad Garrett fulfills dream of playing troubled, talented Jackie Gleason in CBS biopic". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e Fretts, Bruce (11 October 2002). "...And Away He Goes!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b c King, Susan (13 October 2002). "One of These Days, Alice ..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  5. ^ Gallo, Phil (10 October 2002). "Gleason". Variety. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  6. ^ Roberts, Jerry (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810863781.
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