James Garner (1928-2014)
One of the coolest and most charming actors of his era, James Garner, died at 86 Saturday. The Oklahoma born actor arrived in Hollywood at the tail end of the star system with the rugged masculinity of John Wayne and romantic-comedy swagger of Cary Grant. A veteran of the Korean War (and purple heart recipient), his description of being a scrounger dictated one of his most iconic film roles, the World War II prison film The Great Escape. Along with his costar in that film, Steve McQueen, Garner got his first big break in TV Westerns, creating the role of Bret Maverick in the series Maverick, remaining with the series for three seasons (1957-1960).
His notable films in the 60s and 70s, along with The Great Escape, included romantic comedies Move over Darling and The Thrill of It (with Doris Day), the drama The Children’s Hour, and the controversial anti-war comedy The Americanization of Emily (written by Paddy Chayefsky), which he claimed was his favorite film. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he excelled at detective films (such as Marlowe and They Only Kill Their Masters) and breezy westerns such as Hour of the Gun, Support Your Local Sheriff, Support Your Local Gunfighter, and The Skin Game. That natural talent gave him his most iconic role, the lone-gunman inspired private-eye Jim Rockford. Garner earned a reputation as one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood, as well as the hardest working men in television. He performed most of his own stunts in the series (to the point of physical injury), appeared in every scene, and took on the additional role of producer. He played the role of six seasons (finally ending the series over concerns for his health), was nominated for five Emmys and won one in 1977.
In 1982, he barely missed being nominated for the hit comedy film Victor/Victoria, but three years later earned an Oscar nomination as the older man of Sally Field’s dreams in the criminally underrated Murphy’s Romance. Along with reprising his role in television films of Rockford Files and the big screen adaptation of Maverick, he starred in television in the mini-series Space, movie Barbarians at the Gate, and series 8 Simple Rules (after the death of John Ritter). Last appearing on screen in 2010, he continued making an impact as a senior actor in Films such as Fire in the Sky, Twilight, My Fellow Americans, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, The Notebook, and Space Cowboys.
The liberal minded Garner wrote his memoir, documenting his career (including several high profile legal battles with studios), a difficult childhood, and his family life. He was married for nearly 68 years to wife Lois (after meeting 14 days earlier), and had two children; an adopted step-daughter and daughter. On his long, distinguished but too often under-appreciated career, he once said “I’m a Spencer Tracy-type actor.
His idea was to be on time, know your words, hit your marks and tell the truth.”
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