Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Genevieve Halford (later known as Genevieve Gleason) |
| Born | 1915 (United States) |
| Died | July 9, 2012 (age 96) |
| Occupation | Dancer (early career); later philanthropist and volunteer |
| Known for | First wife of entertainer Jackie Gleason; mother of Geraldine and Linda |
| Spouse | Jackie Gleason (m. September 20, 1936; div. 1970) |
| Children | Geraldine Gleason (later Geraldine Chutuk); Linda Mae Gleason (actress, later Linda Miller/King) |
| Notable grandchildren | Jason Patric; Jennifer Miller; Jordan Miller; Mark Chutuk |
| Great-grandchildren (named among survivors) | Caitlin Chutuk; Alison Chutuk; Jack Brodie Miller |
| Faith & honors | Lay Franciscan (1982); Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher (1991) |
| Civic & charitable involvement | St. Patrick’s Cathedral volunteer; supporter of Marymount School of New York; Association of Ladies of Charity; Veterans of Foreign Wars–related efforts; National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund |
| Resting place | Gate of Heaven Cemetery |
From Vaudeville Steps to Cathedral Aisles
Before her surname became synonymous with television royalty, Genevieve Halford was a working dancer, learning to read an audience the way sailors read a changing sea. In the bustle of vaudeville’s wings she crossed paths with a young, ambitious comic named Jackie Gleason. Their chemistry moved quickly from backstage to a shared life, and on September 20, 1936, they married—two show people heading into a world that was about to put one of them under the hottest lights in American entertainment.
As Gleason’s star rose, Genevieve’s public profile shifted. She stepped away from the spotlight and toward service. The discipline of a performer found its second act in devotion: daily Mass, hours of volunteer work, and a widening circle of causes. She became a steady presence at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a supporter of Marymount School of New York, and a friend to organizations that cared for veterans, families, and law enforcement. In 1982, she was received into the Franciscan lay order, embracing a life of simplicity and service; in 1991, she was invested as a Lady of the Holy Sepulcher, a recognition of faith that mirrored her steadfastness.
Marriage, Breaks, and What Endures
The marriage of Genevieve and Jackie Gleason held both glamour and strain. They wed young, built a family in the early 1940s, and navigated separations as the pressures of fame grew. Their two daughters—Geraldine and Linda—anchored the household even as the couple’s paths diverged. The divorce, finalized in 1970, closed a long chapter but did not erase the bonds of kinship that continued to expand through grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Genevieve remained a matriarch of presence rather than flash, attending family milestones and nurturing ties that spanned generations.
Children and Descendants
The family tree that grew from Genevieve Halford’s marriage traces a distinctly American arc—from vaudeville to television to modern film and theater—while keeping the quieter virtues of loyalty and care at its root.
- Geraldine built a private life connected to family and, in later years, was associated with stewardship of her father’s business interests. Through Geraldine, the Chutuk branch—son Mark and his children—carried forward the family name in their own way.
- Linda (born 1942), known professionally as Linda Miller, made her own name on stage and screen. Her children—Jason, Jennifer, and Jordan—extended the family’s creative streak, most visibly through Jason Patric’s film career.
Family Snapshot
| Generation | Name | Relation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | Geraldine (Gleason) Chutuk | Daughter | Appears as “Geraldine Chutuk” in family records and remembrances |
| Children | Linda Mae Gleason (Linda Miller/King) | Daughter | Actress; born 1942 |
| Grandchildren | Jason Patric | Grandson | Actor; son of Linda |
| Grandchildren | Jennifer Miller | Granddaughter | Daughter of Linda |
| Grandchildren | Jordan Miller | Grandson | Son of Linda |
| Grandchildren | Mark Chutuk | Grandson | Son of Geraldine |
| Great-grandchildren | Caitlin Chutuk | Great-granddaughter | Named among survivors |
| Great-grandchildren | Alison Chutuk | Great-granddaughter | Named among survivors |
| Great-grandchildren | Jack Brodie Miller | Great-grandson | Named among survivors |
Faith, Service, and Civic Life
The second half of Genevieve Halford’s life reads like a ledger of quiet commitments. She volunteered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral not in search of recognition but because service stitched meaning into ordinary days. Her support of Marymount School of New York put resources behind education and values-driven formation. Her involvement extended to charitable associations and memorial funds that honor public service—causes for veterans, for the families who stand beside them, and for law enforcement communities who reckon daily with duty and sacrifice.
Key milestones mark this path:
- 1982: Received into the Franciscan lay order, embracing a tradition of humility and work for others.
- 1991: Invested as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, a role that recognizes charitable support and stewardship within the Church.
These honors were less badges than mile markers, guiding a life that had already turned from applause to purpose.
A Life in Dates
- 1915: Birth.
- September 20, 1936: Marriage to Jackie Gleason.
- Early 1940s: Births of daughters Geraldine and Linda (Linda in 1942).
- 1950s–1960s: Public life alongside a household navigating separations amid a superstar’s career.
- 1970: Divorce finalized.
- 1982: Received as a lay Franciscan.
- 1991: Invested as a Lady of the Holy Sepulcher.
- July 9, 2012: Death at age 96; interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
In the Public Eye, and Just Beyond It
Unlike the man she married, Genevieve never sought the camera. When she did appear publicly, it was often framed by family—daughters at her side, grandchildren in tow, the warmth of the private sphere briefly catching the light. Over time, retrospectives on Jackie Gleason’s career inevitably included her name, yet her own story glowed in a different register: the dancer who became a matriarch; the public figure’s wife who forged an identity in service; a presence that held steady as three, then four generations assembled around her.
The Gleason-Halford Legacy
What endures from Genevieve Halford’s life is less a headline than a pattern. The arts thread through the family—from vaudeville to television to modern film—while the habit of community care continues as a kind of inheritance. Her grandchildren’s achievements, particularly in acting, keep the spotlight alive, but the family’s deeper legacy lies in the way she balanced ambition with attention, platform with purpose. She showed how a life can stretch—first for the stage, then for others—and how a family can grow tall precisely because its roots run deep.
FAQ
Who was Genevieve Halford?
She was a dancer who married entertainer Jackie Gleason in 1936 and later became known for her extensive charitable and faith-based work.
When did she marry Jackie Gleason?
They married on September 20, 1936, after meeting during their vaudeville years.
How many children did they have?
Two daughters: Geraldine and Linda (born 1942).
Did Genevieve Halford continue performing after marriage?
She stepped away from the stage as her family grew and focused increasingly on service and philanthropy.
What were her notable charitable affiliations?
She was a longtime volunteer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, supported Marymount School of New York, and engaged with charitable associations benefiting veterans and law enforcement communities.
What faith honors did she receive?
She became a lay Franciscan in 1982 and was invested as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher in 1991.
Who are her notable descendants?
They include actress daughter Linda (Miller) and actor grandson Jason Patric, along with grandchildren Jennifer Miller, Jordan Miller, and Mark Chutuk.
When did Genevieve Halford die and where is she buried?
She died on July 9, 2012, at age 96 and was interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
