Lucile Gleason

Lucile Gleason (February 6, 1888-May 18, 1947) was a stage and screen actress from Pasadena, California. Gleason was also a civic worker whowas active in film colony projects.

Gleason went on stage as a teen working with her father's stock company. Her motion picture career started with a number of movies in 1929 and continued until 1945. She became the wife of actor James Gleason in 1908,when the couple married in Oakland, California.

The couple realized stage success in New York City in a production of "The Shannons of Broadway". The play was later made into a film entitled "Goodbye Broadway" The Gleasons continued to perform together in Hollywood. In 1945 they made "The Clock", with Lucile playing the role of "Mrs. Al Henry". Their son, Russell, was paired with hisparents in the farcical family comedy, "The Higgins Family", in 1938.The story centers around Lucile's performance in two radio programs which threaten to derail her husband's advertising business.

Gleason was a vice-president of the Screen Actors Guild and was a member of the Hollywood U.S.O. and the Veterans' Service Council. In 1947 she was named "Mother of 1947" in a Mother's Day observance conducted by the U.S.O. In the 1930's Gleason served on the advisory board of the Federal Theater Project.

On several occasions she was an unsuccessful candidate for political office. In 1944 Gleason ran for the Assembly from the 59th District in California. In 1946 she was defeated by incumbent Secretary of State Frank Jordan.

Lucile Webster Gleason died in her sleep of heart disease in 1947, at her residence, 306 Avondale Avenue, Brentwood, California. Russell Gleason died a tragic death after plunging from a New York City hotel in December 1946.

References

* Fresno Bee, "Actress Lucile Gleason Dies In Hollywood", May 19, 1947,Page 3.
* Los Angeles Times, "Lucile Gleason, Film Actress, Dies In Sleep", May 19, 1947, Page A1.
* Oakland Tribune, "Gleasons Score At Grand Lake", October 28, 1938, Page 37.