Ralp Kramden

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Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden by Lawrence J. Nowlan Jr.
Port Authority Bus Terminal
Eighth Avenue
New York, September 2007

“Then as the century drew to a close TV Land began airing ‘The Honeymooner’ reruns on cable television—introducing Ralph and Alice, Trixie and Norton to an entirely new generation. In 1999 the TV cable channel came up with the idea to erect a statue to Ralph; a common guy who represented millions of Americans and who had become an icon of 1950s television. With the cooperation of Jackie Gleason’s estate the plan went ahead. New Jersey sculptor Lawrence J. Nowlan, Jr. was given the commission to design the statue. The Philadelphia-born artist was known for his ability to capture moments in time—camera-like—in his stirring monuments. The site chosen for the 4,000-pound bronze was inspired. Ralph Kramden did not belong in Central Park with Giuseppe Mazzini or in Union Square with Abraham Lincoln. He belonged at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey accepted the gift gladly. Ken Philmus, director of tunnels, bridges, and terminals said ‘Who better Than Ralph Kramden to greet commuters and bus drivers in front of the place where more than 200,000 commuters and 7,000 buses pass through every day?’ On August 29, 2000 The Honeymooners theme drowned out the roar of taxicabs and buses as Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie, unveiled the statue. Nowlan had captured Ralph happily strolling to work, his leather jacket zipped up nearly to the neck. In his hand is his lunchbox which undoubtedly holds sandwiches wrapped in wax paper by Alice and a thermos of coffee. The 8-foot statue did what it was intended to do: it connected with the common Joe. According to The Los Angeles Times, construction worker Tino Riveria commented ‘I like that guy Kramden. He was a big mouth, but there are millions of big mouths in New York. So naturally, people here are going to identify with him.’ Below the statue a plaque reads ‘Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden: Bus Driver—Raccoon Lodge Treasure—Dreamer. Presented by the People of TV Land.’ The statue stands not only as a memory to an iconic television character; it is a tribute to the hard-working, uncelebrated American workforce—the millions of Ralph Kramdens nationwide.” (The Ralph Kramden Statue, Daytonian in Manhattan)