Genevieve Halford is renowned as the former wife of the legendary American actor, comedian, writer, composer, and conductor, Jackie Gleason, affectionately known as “The Great One.” Gleason’s comedic brilliance and distinctive characters were shaped by his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. One of his most iconic roles was that of the brash city-bus-driver, Ralph Kramden, in the beloved television series, The Honeymooners.
Apart from The Honeymooners, Gleason also created and starred in The Jackie Gleason Show, which enjoyed consistently high ratings from the mid-1950s to 1970. Originally based in New York City, the show later moved to Miami Beach, Florida, in 1964, following Gleason’s decision to make the city his permanent home.
Genevieve Halford shared a significant part of Jackie Gleason’s life as his ex-wife. Gleason’s fame and success in the entertainment industry have left an indelible mark on American comedy, and he continues to be celebrated as one of the most influential figures in the history of entertainment.
Genevieve Halford, the ex-wife of Jackie Gleason, was born in the United States of America in 1916. She passed away at the age of 96 on July 9, 2012, in Manhattan, New York. Genevieve Halford was known for her devout Catholic faith.
The story of how Jackie Gleason and Genevieve Halford met is rooted in their shared experience in vaudeville. Gleason, an actor and comedian, crossed paths with dancer Genevieve Halford during their work in vaudeville and the two began dating. While Halford desired marriage, Gleason was not ready to settle down. In response, she made it clear that she would see other men if they did not marry.
A significant turning point in their relationship occurred during one of Gleason’s performances at Club Miami in Newark, New Jersey. As he went onstage, he noticed Halford sitting in the front row with another man. After finishing his show, Gleason boldly approached the table and proposed to Halford in front of her date. They eventually got married on September 20, 1936.
The couple had two daughters together named Geraldine Gleason (born 1940) and Linda Miller (born 1942). However, Halford desired a quiet home life, while Gleason continued to spend his nights out. The couple initially separated in 1941 but reconciled in 1948. Unfortunately, they informally separated again in 1954.
During Gleason’s hospitalization in early 1954 due to a broken leg and ankle sustained on-air during his television show, Halford visited him. It was during this time that Gleason’s relationship with dancer Marilyn Taylor, who was also present at the hospital, became apparent to Halford. Taylor and Gleason continued to date throughout the 1950s, but due to Gleason’s Catholic marriage, divorce was not an option, leading to the end of their relationship. In April 1954, Halford filed for a legal separation.
Years later, in 1970, after the divorce law in New York was amended to allow divorce after living apart for two years, Gleason sued Halford for divorce. Halford contested the divorce, arguing that the reform law was unconstitutional since she had no prior knowledge that the 1954 separation decree would later be used for divorce purposes. However, the New York Court of Appeals upheld the divorce in 1970.
Ten days after the divorce was finalized, Gleason married his second wife, Beverly McKittrick, in a registry ceremony in Ashford, England, on July 4, 1970. Genevieve Halford’s life remained relatively quiet following the divorce, and she passed away in 2012.
Throughout his life, Jackie Gleason battled various health issues, including smoking six packs of cigarettes a day and suffering from phlebitis and diabetes. He experienced chest pains while touring in 1978, leading to triple-bypass surgery. Despite keeping his medical problems private, rumors circulated about his declining health. Sadly, on June 24, 1987, Gleason passed away at the age of 71 at his Florida home.