Jackie Gleason spent his life making millions laugh. As the unforgettable Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners, he became a symbol of classic television — loud, expressive, and impossible to ignore.
But when the curtain finally fell on his own life, the moment was nothing like his on-screen personality. It was quiet. Personal. Almost poetic.
A Private Goodbye
On June 24, 1987, Jackie Gleason died at age 71 in his Florida home after battling colon cancer that had spread to his liver.
He passed away peacefully at home with his wife Marilyn by his side, according to reports at the time.
No stage lights.
No studio audience.
Just family — and silence.
The Words Often Remembered as His Last
One quote frequently attributed to Gleason is:
👉 “I always knew what I was doing.”
The line feels strikingly fitting for a man nicknamed “The Great One.” It suggests confidence — even at the edge of life — from someone who built a career on instinct, timing, and fearless performance.
There was also a deeply emotional moment shared with his daughter during the filming of his final movie. After a long day of work while already seriously ill, he quietly told her:
👉 “I won’t be around much longer.”
It wasn’t theatrical.
It wasn’t dramatic.
Just honest.
One Final Joke — Even After Death
Gleason never lost his sense of showmanship. On his grave is engraved the phrase:
👉 “And Away We Go.”
Fans instantly recognize it as one of his classic catchphrases — a final wink from a comedian who understood the power of an exit.
A Farewell That Matched the Man
For someone known for big gestures and booming humor, Gleason’s final chapter was surprisingly gentle. Reports described his passing as quiet and comfortable — a calm ending for a larger-than-life entertainer.
And perhaps that is what makes his story linger.
Not just the laughter he left behind…
but the image of a performer who seemed to understand his journey all along.
Because in the end, the man who once shouted his way across television screens exited with something far stronger than volume:
certainty.
He knew what he was doing.
And then — as his own inscription promises — away he went.