We’re sad to report that the prolific and legendary television and movie actor James Garner has died, aged 86.
Although starring in many films over the last seven decades, he’s undoubtedly best known for the huge success and his part in the TV shows Maverick and The Rockford Files, the latter of which he won an Emmy for in 1977.
His career initially kicked off in 1955 in LA, after securing a few parts in the TV series Cheyenne Warner Bros signed him up and his upward trajectory began. We then saw him as a friend to Marlon Brando’s character in Sayonara, which in turn led to his first lead role in DARBY’S RANGERS – a part originally intended for Charlton Heston but he’d walked off the film.
The big role was yet to come though and in 1957, ABC launched the comedic Western and Bret Maverick was born and Garner was a perfect fit. While others in the series took on gunfights, Garner’s Maverick was the one who used his wits to stay away from trouble. Garner had this to say about his part:
“I’m playing me, Bret Maverick is lazy: I’m lazy. And I like being lazy.”
Although he might have thought he was being lazy, the public loved him and he shared a Golden Globe in 1958 for most promising male newcomer with John Saxon and Patrick Wayne and his own Best Actor Emmy nomination in 1959. His other highly successful TV series was The Rockford Files, which ran from 1974 to 1980 and won him an Emmy in 1977 and four more nominations.
From over 95 acting credits, his big film roles included parts in THE CHILDREN’S HOUR (1961),THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963), SUNSET (1988), FIRE IN THE SKY (1993), and a role in Mel Gibson’s big screen version of his star in the 1994 version of MAVERICK. His only Oscar nomination for Best Leading Actor came in 1986 for his exceptional work in MURPHY’S ROMANCE alongside Sally Field.
Most modern audiences would recognise Garner for his seminal spot in 2004’s THE NOTEBOOK that launched both Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, his portrayal as Duke trying to keep his memories alive, left the world with a broken heart and he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Leading Actor Award, and then presented with a Lifetime Achievement award the same year.
James Garner had a vividly exciting and quite brilliant career, he will be missed. He’s survived by his wife Lois Clarke, whom he was married in 1956; daughter Greta ‘Gigi’ Garner and adopted daughter, Kimberly, from Clarke’s first marriage.
