James Garner

James Garner net worth is $20 Million. Also know about James Garner bio, salary, height, age weight, relationship and more …

James Garner Wiki Biography

James Scott Bumgarner was born on 7 April 1928, in Norman, Oklahoma USA. As James Garner, he was one of the most popular actors, singers, comedians and producers. James is particularly known for his appearances in such television shows as “The Rockford Files” and “Maverick”, and movies including “The Great Escape”, “Grand Prix”, and “Murphy’s Romance” among many others. During his career, James was nominated for and won numerous awards. Some of them include Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, TCA Award. Sadly, James died in 2014 from a heart attack.

If you consider how rich James Garner was, it can be said that James’ estimated net worth was $20 million. The main source of this sum of money was his appearances as an actor. There is no surprise as James is considered to be one of the most successful movie and television actors of the last 50 years. Of course, his other activities, including his career as a singer, producer and comedian, also added to Garner’s net worth. Although he has passed away, there is no doubt that his work and his name will be remembered for a very long time.

Garner’s childhood was not perfect as his mother died when he was only five years old and he had to live with his stepmother who punished him regularly. When his father and his stepmother divorced, Garner had to move and later he studied at Hollywood High School, during which time he also worked as a model for a short period of time. As he did not like this job, James soon came back to his previous school, Norman High School. At the beginning of his career as an actor, James appeared in various commercials and plays. In 1956 Garner received an invitation to act in the movies called “Toward the Unknown” and “The Girl He Left Behind”. These roles had a significant impact on the start of James Garner’s net worth. In 1957 Garner was cast in the role of Bret Maverick in one of his most famous television shows, “Maverick”. As this show soon became very successful and popular, it added a lot to James’ net worth. James then received more and more invitations to portray differing roles. Some of the movies that he appeared in after “Maverick”, include “The Thrill of It All”, “Move Over, Darling”, “The Children’s Hour” and others previously mentioned. All these appearances made James’ net worth grow.

Beginning in 1974, James starred in another popular television show called “The Rockford Files”. During the making of this show, James had an opportunity to work with such actors as Joe Santos, Gretchen Corbelt, Stuart Margolin and others. In 1994 James appeared in the movie version of the “Maverick”, working with Mel Gibson. Some of his latest movies and television shows included “The Notebook”, “The Ultimate Gift”, “Pioneers of Television” and “The Ultimate Life”. It is clear that James was one of the most popular and one of the most acclaimed actors in both movie and television industries. Unfortunately, the world lost this incredible personality in 2014 when he died at the age of 86.

If to talk about Garner’s personal life, it can be said that in 1956 he married Lois Josephine Fleischman Clarke with whom he lived until his death, and together they had two daughters. What is more, Garner was interested in various sports and even supported several teams. Finally, James Garner was one of the most extraordinary personalities. There is no doubt that he inspires many contemporary actors, who admire him and his work. James had an incredible talent and now his name is respected in both movie and television industries.

IMDB Wikipedia “The Rockford Files” $20 million Actor American Broadcasting Company Andy Samberg Bret Maverick Broadcast network Greta Garner Gretchen Corbelt Honorable James Garner James Garner Net Worth Jimmy Kimmel Joe Santos Lois Josephine Fleischman Clarke NBC Norman Oklahoma Primetime Emmy Award Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Screen Actors Guild Seth Meyers Stuart Margolin

James Garner Quick Info

Full Name James Garner
Net Worth $20 Million
Date Of Birth 7 April, 1928, Norman, Oklahoma USA
Died 19 July, 2014
Place Of Birth Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height 1.87 m
Profession An American actor, producer, singer, voice artist, comedian,
Education Hollywood High School, University of Oklahoma
Nationality American,
Spouse Lois Josephine, Fleischman Clarke
Children Greta Garner
Parents Mildred Scott Bumgarner, Weldon Warren Bumgarner
Siblings Jack Garner, Charlie Bumgarner
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/The-Official-James-Garner-Fan-Page/
IMDB www.imdb.com/name/nm0001258
Awards Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, TCA Award,
Nominations Academy Award for Best Actor, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama, Screen Actors Guild Award for Ou…
Movies The Great Escape, The Notebook, Murphy’s Romance, The Americanization of Emily, Victor/Victoria, Space Cowboys, Grand Prix, The Thrill of It All, Support Your Local Sheriff!, Maverick, Barbarians at the Gate, Move Over, Darling, Support Your Local Gunfighter, Sayonara, The Children’s Hour, Divine Se…
TV Shows Maverick, Nichols, The Rockford Files, Bret Maverick, Man of the People, Streets of Laredo, First Monday, God, the Devil and Bob, 8 Simple Rules, Space, Century of Country

James Garner Trademarks

  1. Deep gravelly voice
  2. Personally honest, wisecracking, self-deprecating, reluctant, naturally masculine hero.
  3. His voice was heard at the beginning of every episode of The Rockford Files (1974) on the outgoing message for Jim Rockford’s answering machine.

James Garner Quotes

  • My wife would leave me if I played a Republican.
  • [About his dropping out from high school]: I was a terrible student and I never actually graduated from high school, but I got my diploma in the Army.
  • When I’m pushed, I shove.
  • [Who was never impressed with himself]: I don’t like to watch me on the screen, I just don’t have a lot of confidence in me, I guess.
  • [When he was married on August 17, 1956, just 14 days after he met Lois]: We went to dinner every night for 14 nights. I was just absolutely nuts about her. I spent $77 on our honeymoon, and it about broke me.
  • [About contractual problems from Universal]: The industry is like it always has been. It’s a bunch of greedy people.
  • [When he smoked marijuana for most of his adult life]: I started smoking it in my late teens, I drank to get drunk but ultimately didn’t like the effect. Not so with grass. It had the opposite effect from alcohol: it made me more tolerant and forgiving. I did a little bit of cocaine in the Eighties, courtesy of John Belushi, but fortunately I didn’t like it. But I smoked marijuana for 50 years and I don’t know where I’d be without it. It opened my mind and now it eases my arthritis. After decades of research I’ve concluded that marijuana should be legal and alcohol illegal.
  • My wife and I felt we’d just watch the sunset. But then, the phone started ringing with all these wonderful offers.
  • [When he got serious into becoming an actor after returning from the Korean War]: I had a wife and an 8-year-old daughter who had just gotten out of the hospital with polio, so I took on that responsibility.
  • Something funny happens as you get older, you don’t hold back so much.
  • [Who asked Melissa Gilbert warily]: How long does the speech have to be? Well, this will be shorter than others.
  • [When he entered Hollywood High School at the time his gym teacher recommended him for his modeling job]: I made 25 bucks an hour! That’s why I quit school. I was making more money than the teachers. I never finished the ninth grade.
  • (on Steve McQueen) Steve was my neighbor for some time, I called him “Crazy McQueen”, because, quite frankly, he was crazy. We were friends, but he wanted to play my part in Grand Prix (1966) and because of that we didn’t talk for four years. He wasn’t a great actor, but he was a star – McQueen had probably the highest amount of star quality I’ve ever seen in an actor.
  • (on the passing of his good friend Paul Newman) This is such a sad time, I am truly devastated and there are just not enough words to express my sorrow.
  • [on his role as Bret Maverick] I’m playing me. Bret Maverick is lazy: I’m lazy. And I *like* being lazy.
  • I got into the business to put a roof over my head. I wasn’t looking for star status. I just wanted to keep working.
  • I don’t like to speak in public. It scares the devil out of me.
  • I’m a Spencer Tracy-type actor. His idea was to be on time, know your words, hit your marks and tell the truth. Most every actor tries to make it something it isn’t looks for the easy way out. I don’t think acting is that difficult if you can put yourself aside and do what the writer wrote.
  • [on his conflicts with Warner Brothers, in relation to his contractual obligations to the television series Maverick (1957)] They really stuck it to me. I was young and dumb. I said a couple things about being under contract that they didn’t like, like that I felt like a ham in a smokehouse. They were waiting to get back at me by laying me off. We went to court and got out of my contract. I didn’t want somebody in an office guiding my career. If I had a failure, I wanted it to be my failure. If I had a success, I wanted it to be my success.
  • [Asked if he would ever do a nude scene] I don’t do horror films.
  • Marriage is like the Army; everyone complains, but you’d be surprised at the large number of people who reenlist.
  • About everything I ever have done, in the way of lawsuits against studios, I’ve won them all, because I was right every time.

James Garner Important Facts

  • $100,000 per 1 hour episode
  • Greatly enjoyed his late in life role in sitcom ‘8 Simple Rules’, working with such a young and vibrant cast. In his autobiography he paraphrased General Douglas MacArthur’s comment on the Korea War describing his casting as “A great gift to an old campaigner’.
  • He appeared in two films which concerned the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944: The Americanization of Emily (1964) and 36 Hours (1964).
  • His brother Jack Garner was a week older than Julie London. His brother guest-starred with her on an episode of Emergency! (1972).
  • Lifelong resident of Brentwood, Los Angeles, California.
  • At age 17, Garner, along with his father, moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1945, where he was voted the most popular student.
  • Robert Fuller’s son, Rob, lived not too far away from him.
  • He nearly lost his leg, but he had emergency surgery to unblock an artery. [1998].
  • Had appeared on the front cover of TV Guide 13 times.
  • He called his friend John Hodiak by the nickname “Hody”.
  • He was Oklahoma’s very first draftee for the Korean War.
  • When he was very young, he lived with his family in the back of his father’s country store, in the tiny hamlet of Denver, Oklahoma, which consisted of one building, the country store, and a population of only five persons, his parents, his two brothers and himself. Denver, Oklahoma no longer exists, since it was flooded in order to create Lake Thunderbird, an Oklahoma state reservoir.
  • He considered his first director, Charles Laughton, to be his acting mentor.
  • James Garner passed away on July 19, 2014. A month after his passing, his lifelong best friend, Lauren Bacall died the month before what would have been her 90th birthday. Both Garner and Bacall had worked together on an episode of: The Rockford Files (1974), and in two movies: HealtH (1980) and The Fan (1981).
  • During the filing of Grand Prix (1966), it was discovered that James Garner was actually too tall for Formula One racing. In order to fit in the cars, the seats had to be removed and Garner sat on the frame with just a towel or a mat protecting his posterior. Additionally, the roll bars needed to be removed and fitted with taller bars, so they would look realistic and not be noticeably shorter than the top of his helmet.
  • Met Doris Day in the romance comedy Move Over, Darling (1963). The two remained close friends for over 50 years.
  • Replaced John Ritter early in the second season of 8 Simple Rules (2002), when Ritter passed away in 2003.
  • His eldest daughter, Kimberly, had suffered polio.
  • In 2008, he was planning to come out of retirement from on camera roles when he was cast in NCIS (2003), but having a stroke soon after being cast, prevented him from doing it. The role was ultimately given to Ralph Waite, who was also born in 1928, but whose health was holding up rather better at that time. In the end, Waite passed away five months before Garner.
  • Shared the same birthday as R.G. Armstrong, who was 11 years Garner’s senior. Armstrong guest-starred with Garner on an episode of Maverick (1957).
  • While starring on The Rockford Files (1974), he invited many of his longtime friends and new actors to the set.
  • Had joked that the secret to his long-running marriage to Lois was learning the two words, “Yes, Dear!”.
  • Lived in the same house for nearly 58 years, from 1956 until his passing in 2014.
  • Beat out Robert Blake for the lead role on The Rockford Files (1974).
  • Upon his death, he was cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles, California, and his ashes were given to his family.
  • Ten days after his passing, numerous news sources reported that the Los Angeles County Coroner listed “acute myocardial infarction” (massive heart attack) as the official cause of his death.
  • Garner never shaved the hair off his chest for any of his shirtless scenes.
  • Even though his Cherokee Productions was the production company, or even part owner, of many of his movies and television series (in the case of The Rockford Files (1974), Cherokee owned 37.5% of the series) between 1965 and 1980, more often than not, he chose not to be listed in the on-screen credits as a producer.
  • Lindsay Wagner was the primary guest star on the very first episode of The Rockford Files (1974). Through much of the 1980s, James Garner and Lindsay Wagner were considered the king or queen, respectively, of quality television movies and miniseries of that period.
  • Frequently had drinks with Bill Bixby.
  • Was a celebrity spokesperson for the Office of Energy Conservation in the 1970s, through the Advertising Council’s Public Service Announcement (PSA) television and radio commercials.
  • Relaunched his career as a contract player for United Artists in 1961, after successfully suing Warner Brothers in 1960 to be released from his contract for Maverick (1957).
  • Was separated from Lois in 1979, primarily because he was pushing himself too hard and abusing his body while shooting The Rockford Files (1974). Garner was hospitalized in 1979 with an ulcer and other health problems, which eventually caused the cancellation of The Rockford Files, but Lois did not forgive him until they reconciled in 1982.
  • At Norman High School, he played football, basketball, golf, and competed in track.
  • He sued Universal, a second time, for $2.2 million regarding syndication royalties. The suit charged the studio with “deceiving him and suppressing information about syndication”. He was supposed to receive $25,000 for each episode running in syndication, but Universal charged him “distribution fees”, which was not in the contract. He also felt that the studio did not release the show to the highest bidder for the episode reruns. [1998].
  • In July 1983, Garner filed suit against Universal Studios for $16.5 million (USD) in connection with an ongoing dispute from The Rockford Files (1974). The suit charged Universal with “breach of contract; failure to deal fairly and in good faith; fraud; and deceit”. It was eventually settled out of court in 1989. As part of the agreement Garner could not disclose the amount of the settlement, but frequently told the story about his wife, Lois, having to remind him to wipe the silly grin off his face.
  • Was closely advised by financial adviser Irving Leonard, who also advised Clint Eastwood in the late 1950s and 1960s.
  • Until 1988, he was a heavy smoker.
  • He dropped out of Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma, but was able to earn his diploma while in the United States Army.
  • At least three actresses named him as their favorite actor: Mariette Hartley, Joan Van Ark and Lauren Bacall, all three worked with him on The Rockford Files (1974).
  • Was friends with Jack Kelly, for 35 years, from 1957 until his death in 1992.
  • Had suffered a fall while working on 8 Simple Rules (2002). [January 7, 2004].
  • Was friends with Roy Huggins, for 45 years, from 1957 until his death in 2002.
  • Before his The Rockford Files (1974) co-star, Stuart Margolin, appeared with him on Rockford, they worked together on Garner’s short-lived series, Nichols (1971).
  • Had twice worked with Harry Morgan: in Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) and its sort of sequel, Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971).
  • His ex-Maverick (1957) co-star, Jack Kelly guest-starred with him in a two-part episode of The Rockford Files (1974), in 1977.
  • When Charlton Heston backed out of the lead role in Darby’s Rangers (1958) before shooting began, Warner Brothers contract player Garner, who had already been cast in the film in a supporting role, was selected to replace Heston in the lead.
  • Acting mentor and friends with Tom Selleck, Kaley Cuoco and Amy Davidson.
  • Was Roy Huggins first choice for the lead role on the Western series Cheyenne (1955), but that role eventually went to an another largely unknown actor, Clint Walker, because the casting director could not reach Garner in time (according to Garner’s autobiography), and Garner wound up playing an Army officer in the pilot instead.
  • Used to play golf with James Woods and Bill Bixby.
  • Is the youngest of three children of Weldon “Bill” and Mildred Meek Bumgarner.
  • After his final two roles, DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection (2010) and Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010), both voice only roles, he completely retired from acting at age 82.
  • Long lives ran in his family.
  • When he was starring on The Rockford Files (1974), having to appear in nearly every scene of the series, doing many of his own stunts, including one that injured his back, was wearing him out. A knee injury from his National Guard days worsened in the wake of the continuous jumping and rolling, all of which led to his 1979 hospitalization, with a bleeding ulcer.
  • James Garner passed away on July 19, 2014, at age 86, just one month before he would have celebrated his 58th wedding anniversary with his wife, Lois.
  • He changed his last name from Bumgarner to Garner when he became a Warner Brothers contract player. He was credited as Jim Bumgarner for his two stage roles. First as a non-speaking Member of the Court (Martial Tribunal), in the Broadway production of “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial”, and second, a featured speaking role in the national touring company of the same play. In part because he hated speaking in public, he never again took a stage role, and the name Bumgarner “died” when his Warner Brothers contract was signed in 1956.
  • Garner survived a series of health problems, from a knee operation, to a bleeding ulcer, to quintuple bypass heart surgery, to a fall, to emergency surgery to unblock an artery and finally to a stroke.
  • James Garner passed away on July 19, 2014, at age 86, and within five months of four other television legends, also born in 1928, either aged 85 or 86: Shirley Temple, Ralph Waite, Maya Angelou, and Horace Silver, and just twenty-four days before his close friend Lauren Bacall, born 1924.
  • He was absent from his role on Maverick (1957), when filming for the fourth season began, because of a contract dispute with Warner Brothers. Garner fought with the studio consistently in court, and his tenacity was rewarded at the end of 1960, when the case was decided in his favor, and the court ordered him to be released from his contract because Warner Brothers had violated several of the provisions in the contract.
  • In the four years (1985-89), he was the television and radio commercial spokesman for Mazda cars, he was reportedly paid $1 million per year, plus one Mazda vehicle of his choice per year. He chose three Mazda RX-7’s and one Mazda truck, all of which he was known to drive frequently.
  • He began his film career in 1956 (the same year he got married), as a contract player for Warner Brothers, at a rate of $200 per week.
  • The name of his most famous character, James Scott Rockford, from The Rockford Files (1974), shared his own first and middle name.
  • He was widely known to be a very private man.
  • When speaking at the Summer Special Olympics in Norman, Oklahoma, he took the opportunity to remind the Oklahoma officials, who invited him to speak, of the circumstances of his original departure. “It’s nice to be invited back as a VIP after being run out of town on a rail.” This was a reference to him being “asked” to leave for his “extracurricular activities”.
  • Had played the same character (Bret Maverick) on four different series: Sugarfoot (1957), Maverick (1957), Young Maverick (1979) and Bret Maverick (1981).
  • Had played Wyatt Earp in two movies: Hour of the Gun (1967) and Sunset (1988).
  • A ten foot bronze statue of Garner, as his character Bret Maverick, was unveiled in Garner’s hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. He was present for the unveiling ceremony. [21 April 2006].
  • Best known by the public for his starring roles as the title characters on both Maverick (1957) and The Rockford Files (1974).
  • Has a street named after him in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma: James Garner Avenue.
  • Narrated the intro videos for the University of Oklahoma football team as they entered the stadium.
  • James Garner adopted his wife’s 8 year-old-daughter, Kimberly, after he and Lois were married. About a year later, Jim’s biological daughter, Gigi Garner, was born in Santa Monica, California. So, Kimberly and Gigi are 9 years apart.
  • In 1995, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. This was one month after bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. He was quoted as saying during his commencement ceremony speech, “If there’s anything positive to come from this event, it is seeing the character, the toughness with the dignity of the Oklahoma people as they suffer the grief and carry on with their lives. It makes every Oklahoman, where ever we are, to be PROUD to be an Oklahoman.”.
  • Once owned a four hundred acre vineyard in Santa Ynez California called “White Rhino” vineyard and bottled his own Chardonnay called “Chateau Jimbeaux”.
  • Underwent surgery after suffering a mild stroke in May 2008 and was recovering well enough, his voice was no longer impaired, that he was able to resume voice acting parts, such as DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection (2010).
  • His hobbies included: golfing, spending time with his family, auto racing, liberal causes, political activism and watching sports.
  • He was good friends with the late Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward. Garner appeared with both Newman and Woodward in various productions, although all three of them never appeared in the same production.
  • He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
  • Driver of pace cars at the 59th Indianapolis 500 (May 25, 1975), the 61st Indianapolis 500 (May 29, 1977), and at the 69th Indianapolis 500 (May 26, 1985).
  • Friends with: Shirley Jones, Angela Lansbury, Dick Van Dyke, William Windom, Adam West, Alan Hale Jr., Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall, Clint Eastwood, Lloyd Nolan, Bill Bixby, Mariette Hartley, Ed Bruce, Mac Davis, James Whitmore, James Whitmore Jr., Roy Huggins, Robert Conrad, Larry Manetti, Harry Belafonte, Jack Kelly, David McCallum, Marlon Brando, James Coburn, Abby Dalton, Ruta Lee, Doris Day, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Julie Andrews, Tom Selleck, Stuart Margolin, Luis Delgado, Meta Rosenberg, Juanita Bartlett, Suzanne Pleshette, James Arness, Red West, Mickey Rooney, Beverly Garland and next-door neighbor Steve McQueen.
  • In a 1973 interview, John Wayne named Garner as the best American actor.
  • He was a student of Bruce Lee’s in his “jeet kune do” style of martial art, after starring with Lee in the film, Marlowe (1969).
  • Although Garner was a lifelong liberal Democrat, his oldest friend was a conservative Republican.
  • Inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1986.
  • Quit smoking following his quintuple heart bypass. [April 22, 1988].
  • Is a huge fan of the Oakland Raiders. Could be seen on sidelines with the team during games.
  • Enjoyed great celebrity with his Polaroid commercial series with Mariette Hartley, which started in 1977. He and Mariette were so convincing as husband and wife that Mariette had a T-shirt made that proclaimed, “I am not James Garner’s wife!”. More than 300 commercials were produced.
  • Of all his films, The Americanization of Emily (1964) was his favorite.
  • Had played two different characters named Jim who served in the Korean War: Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files (1974) and Jim Egan in 8 Simple Rules (2002).
  • Had starred on three popular television series: Maverick (1957) for three seasons, The Rockford Files (1974) for six seasons, and 8 Simple Rules (2002), for two seasons.
  • He was attending Hollywood High School in Los Angeles when his gym teacher recommended him for a job modeling Jantzen bathing suits. He got the job making $25 an hour.
  • Was a Korean War veteran and began his career as a contract player in 1956 for Warner Brothers.
  • Was the first actor to co-star with Julie Andrews in three movies: The Americanization of Emily (1964), Victor Victoria (1982) and One Special Night (1999).
  • Had helped organize the Hollywood contingent of Martin Luther King’s famous “March on Washington” civil rights demonstration.
  • He was very disappointed about his series, The Rockford Files (1974), being cancelled due to his illness. He accepted his doctor’s advice and learned that season 6 was his last.
  • Was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer, during filming for the 1979-1980 season of The Rockford Files (1974). [1979].
  • Was a volunteer with Save the Children.
  • Was involved with many humanitarian causes.
  • Lost his mother when he was 5, and he and his two brothers were split up and sent off to live with relatives.
  • He and his wife Lois Clarke were married at the Beverly Hills Court House just two weeks after they met at a political rally for 1956 Democratic Presidential Candidate Adlai Stevenson.
  • Biological father of Gigi Garner, wrote two books “The Cop Cookbook” and “Girl Talk”. Ms. Garner continues her father’s legacy through the production company he started, Cherokee Productions and runs her own successful talent management company.
  • Before he was a very successful actor, he had 75 different jobs including everything from pumping gas to modeling men’s clothing.
  • Early in his career, he appeared as one of the judges in “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial” on Broadway. He said his part consisted mostly of listening to the other actors, and he said it was a great lesson, even though he sometimes had to fight to stay awake during the evening performances. He felt listening was just as important as speaking as an actor.
  • Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1990.
  • Has two older brothers: Jack Garner and Charlie Bumgarner. Jack died in 2011 and Charlie died in 1985.
  • James had English, and some German and Irish, ancestry. James’s maternal grandfather, Charles Bailey Meek, was described in James’s New York Times obituary as a “full-blooded Cherokee”. However, James’s grandfather had no documented Native American ancestry, and Charles Meek and his own parents, Thomas Jefferson Meek and Delilah Frances Bailey, were all listed as “White” on United States Censuses.
  • Had quintuple heart bypass surgery. [1988].
  • Had both knees replaced. [2000].

James Garner Filmography

Title Year Status Character Role
Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend 1957 Sgt. John Maitland Actor
Cheyenne 1955-1957 TV Series Willis Peake / Bret / Lt. Lee Rogers / … Actor
Conflict 1956-1957 TV Series Red Donnelly / Jim Curtis Actor
Zane Grey Theater 1956 TV Series Lt. Jim Collins Actor
The Girl He Left Behind 1956 Preston Actor
Toward the Unknown 1956 Lt. Col. Joe Craven Actor
Warner Brothers Presents 1956 TV Series Actor
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection 2010 Video Shazam (voice) Actor
Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam 2010 Video short Shazam (voice) Actor
First Night 2007 Short Dr. Curtis Actor
Battle for Terra 2007 Doron (voice) Actor
The Ultimate Gift 2006 Howard ‘Red’ Stevens Actor
8 Simple Rules 2003-2005 TV Series Jim Egan
C.J. Barnes
Actor
Al Roach: Private Insectigator 2004 Short Al Roach Actor
The Notebook 2004 Duke Actor
The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration 2003 Video Pat (voice) Actor
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood 2002 Shepard James ‘Shep’ Walker Actor
First Monday 2002 TV Series Chief Justice Thomas Brankin Actor
Roughing It 2002 TV Movie Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) Actor
God, the Devil and Bob 2000-2001 TV Series God Actor
Atlantis: The Lost Empire 2001 Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke (voice) Actor
The Last Debate 2000 TV Movie Mike Howley Actor
Space Cowboys 2000 Tank Sullivan Actor
Chicago Hope 2000 TV Series Hubert ‘Hue’ Miller Actor
One Special Night 1999 TV Movie Robert Woodward Actor
Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story 1999 TV Movie Audience Member (uncredited) Actor
Streets of Laredo 1999 TV Mini-Series Captain Woodrow Call Actor
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds… It Leads 1999 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
Legalese 1998 TV Movie Norman Keane Actor
Twilight 1998 Raymond Hope Actor
The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda 1997 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
Dead Silence 1997 TV Movie John Potter Actor
My Fellow Americans 1996 President Matt Douglas Actor
The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime 1996 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play 1996 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best 1996 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits… 1996 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise 1995 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. 1994 TV Movie Jim Rockford Actor
Maverick 1994 Marshal Zane Cooper Actor
Breathing Lessons 1994 TV Movie Ira Moran Actor
Barbarians at the Gate 1993 TV Movie F. Ross Johnson Actor
Fire in the Sky 1993 Frank Watters Actor
The Distinguished Gentleman 1992 Jeff Johnson Actor
Man of the People 1991-1992 TV Series Councilman Jim Doyle Actor
Decoration Day 1990 TV Movie Albert Sidney Finch Actor
My Name Is Bill W. 1989 TV Movie Dr. Bob Actor
Sunset 1988 Wyatt Earp Actor
Promise 1986 TV Movie Bob Beuhler Actor
Murphy’s Romance 1985 Murphy Jones Actor
Space 1985 TV Mini-Series Sen. Norman Grant Actor
The Glitter Dome 1984 TV Movie Sgt. Aloysius Mackey Actor
Heartsounds 1984 TV Movie Harold Lear Actor
Tank 1984 Zack Actor
Bret Maverick 1981-1982 TV Series Bret Maverick Actor
Victor Victoria 1982 King Marchand Actor
The Long Summer of George Adams 1982 TV Movie George Adams Actor
The Fan 1981 Jake Berman Actor
HealtH 1980 Harry Wolff Actor
The Rockford Files 1974-1980 TV Series Jim Rockford Actor
Young Maverick 1979 TV Series Bret Maverick Actor
The New Maverick 1978 TV Movie Bret Maverick Actor
The Castaway Cowboy 1974 Lincoln Costain Actor
One Little Indian 1973 Keyes Actor
They Only Kill Their Masters 1972 Abel Marsh Actor
Nichols 1971-1972 TV Series Nichols
Sheriff Frank Nichols
Actor
Skin Game 1971 Quincy Actor
Support Your Local Gunfighter 1971 Latigo Actor
A Man Called Sledge 1970 Luther Sledge Actor
Marlowe 1969 Philip Marlowe Actor
Support Your Local Sheriff! 1969 Jason Actor
How Sweet It Is! 1968 Grif Henderson Actor
The Pink Jungle 1968 Ben Morris Actor
Hour of the Gun 1967 Wyatt Earp Actor
Grand Prix 1966 Pete Aron Actor
Mister Buddwing 1966 Mister Buddwing Actor
Duel at Diablo 1966 Jess Remsberg Actor
A Man Could Get Killed 1966 William Beddoes Actor
The Art of Love 1965 Casey Barnett Actor
36 Hours 1964 Maj. Jefferson Pike Actor
The Americanization of Emily 1964 Lt. Cmdr. Charles Edward Madison Actor
Move Over, Darling 1963 Nicholas Arden Actor
The Wheeler Dealers 1963 Henry Tyroon Actor
The Thrill of It All 1963 Dr. Gerald Boyer Actor
The Great Escape 1963 Hendley ‘The Scrounger’ Actor
Boys’ Night Out 1962 Fred Williams Actor
Maverick 1957-1962 TV Series Bret Maverick / Beau ‘Pappy’ Maverick Actor
The Children’s Hour 1961 Dr. Joe Cardin Actor
Angel 1961 TV Series Jim Actor
Cash McCall 1960 Cash McCall Actor
Alias Jesse James 1959 Bret Maverick (scenes deleted) Actor
Up Periscope 1959 Lt. J.G. Kenneth M. Braden Actor
Darby’s Rangers 1958 Col. William Orlando Darby Actor
Sugarfoot 1957 TV Series Bret Maverick Actor
Sayonara 1957 Captain Bailey Actor
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds… It Leads 1999 TV Movie producer Producer
The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda 1997 TV Movie executive producer Producer
The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime 1996 TV Movie executive producer Producer
The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play 1996 TV Movie executive producer Producer
The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best 1996 TV Movie executive producer Producer
The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits… 1996 TV Movie executive producer Producer
The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise 1995 TV Movie executive producer Producer
The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. 1994 TV Movie executive producer Producer
My Name Is Bill W. 1989 TV Movie executive producer Producer
Promise 1986 TV Movie executive producer Producer
Off the Minnesota Strip 1980 TV Movie executive producer – uncredited Producer
Scott Free 1976 TV Movie executive producer – uncredited Producer
Sidekicks 1974 TV Movie executive producer – uncredited Producer
Cops 1973 TV Movie executive producer – uncredited Producer
Skin Game 1971 executive producer – uncredited Producer
Support Your Local Gunfighter 1971 executive producer – uncredited Producer
The Racing Scene 1969 Documentary producer Producer
Marlowe 1969 executive producer – uncredited Producer
Support Your Local Sheriff! 1969 executive producer – uncredited Producer
How Sweet It Is! 1968 executive producer – uncredited Producer
The Pink Jungle 1968 executive producer – uncredited Producer
Grand Prix 1966 executive producer – uncredited Producer
Mister Buddwing 1966 executive producer – uncredited Producer
Duel at Diablo 1966 producer – uncredited Producer
A Man Could Get Killed 1966 executive producer – uncredited Producer
The Art of Love 1965 producer – uncredited Producer
36 Hours 1964 executive producer – uncredited Producer
Maverick 1994 performer: “Amazing Grace” Soundtrack
Bret Maverick 1981 TV Series performer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Move Over, Darling 1963 music: “Beautiful Dreamer 1862” – uncredited / performer: “Bridal Chorus Here Comes The Bride” 1850, “Beautiful Dreamer 1862” – uncredited Soundtrack
Maverick TV Series 1 episode, 1957 performer – 2 episodes, 1958 Soundtrack
The Rockford Files 1975 TV Series 1 episode Director
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon 2013 Documentary special thanks Thanks
Pushing the Limit: The Making of ‘Grand Prix’ 2006 Video documentary short special thanks Thanks
American Masters 2000 TV Series documentary thanks – 1 episode Thanks
American Masters 2000-2012 TV Series documentary Himself / Himself – Actor Self
Pioneers of Television 2011 TV Mini-Series documentary Himself Self
For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots 2010 TV Movie documentary voice Self
TV Land Moguls 2009 TV Mini-Series documentary Himself Self
Legends 2007 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Pushing the Limit: The Making of ‘Grand Prix’ 2006 Video documentary short Himself Self
Hollywood Greats 2006 TV Series documentary Himself Self
The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy 2006 Video Himself (voice) Self
James Garner On-Camera Interview: Rockford Files Season 1 DVD 2005 Video documentary short Himself Self
11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2005 TV Special Himself – Recipient: Life Achievement Award / Nominee: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Self
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 1993-2005 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live! 2004 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Late Night with Conan O’Brien 2004 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Larry King Live 2004 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Entertainment Tonight 2003 TV Series Himself Self
Intimate Portrait 2002 TV Series documentary Himself Self
HBO First Look 1994-2002 TV Series documentary Himself Self
The Rosie O’Donnell Show 1998-2002 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
The Making of ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ 2002 Video documentary Himself Self
Private Screenings 2001 TV Series Himself Self
The 10th Annual Ella Award Presented a Salute to Julie Andrews 2001 TV Movie Himself Self
Bravo Profiles 2001 TV Series documentary Himself Self
The Making of ‘Space Cowboys’ 2000 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Biography 1998-2000 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Nulle part ailleurs: midi 2000 TV Series Himself Self
2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 2000 TV Special documentary Himself Self
Hollywood Salutes Jodie Foster: An American Cinematheque Tribute 1999 TV Movie Himself Self
The Howard Stern Radio Show 1999 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Century of Country 1999 TV Mini-Series Himself – Host Self
5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 1999 TV Special Himself Self
Byron Nelson: The Legend Series, a Texas Gentleman 1999 TV Movie Himself – Narrator Self
The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1998 TV Special Himself – Presenter: Outstanding Drama Series Self
Spirit of American 1998 Documentary short Narrator (voice) Self
Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western 1997 TV Movie documentary Himself – Host Self
The Hidden Dimension 1997 Documentary short Grandfather’s Voice (voice) Self
Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick 1995 Documentary Himself Self
Great Performances 1995 TV Series Himself Self
1995 VH1 Honors 1995 TV Movie Himself Self
Amy Grant: Building the House of Love 1994 Video documentary Himself Self
Golf: The Greatest Game 1994 TV Movie documentary Self
The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1994 TV Special Himself – Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special Self
100 Years of the Hollywood Western 1994 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
The Arsenio Hall Show 1994 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Today 1993 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Return to ‘The Great Escape’ 1993 Video documentary short Himself Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 1963-1991 TV Series Himself – Guest / Himself Self
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1991 TV Special Himself – Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Self
The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards 1991 TV Special Himself – Winner: Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Self
The TV Academy Annual Tribute: A Salute to Angela Lansbury 1990 TV Movie Himself – Speaker Self
Donahue 1989 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Good Morning America 1989 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
A Conversation with Dinah 1989 TV Series Himself (1991) Self
The 60th Annual Academy Awards 1988 TV Special Himself – Co-Presenter: Best Foreign Language Film Self
The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1987 TV Special Himself – Winner: Outstanding Drama / Comedy Special & Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Self
The 58th Annual Academy Awards 1986 TV Special Himself – Nominee: Best Actor in a Leading Role Self
The 12th Annual People’s Choice Awards 1986 TV Special Himself – Presenter: Favourite Actress in Motion Picture Self
The Dick Cavett Show 1986 TV Series Himself Self
CBS Early Morning News 1984 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Sunday Night Live 1984 TV Movie Himself – Host Self
James Bond: The First 21 Years 1983 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Lily for President? 1982 TV Special Bret Maverick Self
Sixty Years of Seduction 1981 TV Movie documentary Himself – Host Self
Waylon 1980 TV Movie Himself Self
The 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards 1980 TV Special Himself Self
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1979 TV Special Himself – Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Self
The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1978 TV Special Himself – Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Self
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda 1978 TV Special documentary Himself Self
The Carol Burnett Show 1978 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
The 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards 1978 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Superstunt 1977 TV Special Self
The Mike Douglas Show 1976 TV Series Himself – Actor Self
Just to Prove It 1972 Documentary Himself Self
The Dick Cavett Show 1971 TV Series Himself Self
The David Frost Show 1971 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Once Upon a Wheel 1971 Documentary Himself Self
Changing Scene 1970 TV Special Himself Self
The Andy Williams Show 1969-1970 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Laugh-In 1968-1970 TV Series Himself Self
The Racing Scene 1969 Documentary Himself – Narrator Self
The Merv Griffin Show 1969 TV Series Himself Self
The Ed Sullivan Show 1969 TV Series Himself – Audience Bow Self
The Joey Bishop Show 1968-1969 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
The Man Who Makes the Difference 1968 Documentary short Himself (uncredited) Self
First Annual All-Star Celebrity Baseball Game 1967 TV Special Himself – Celebrity Self
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions 1966 Documentary short Himself (uncredited) Self
The Eamonn Andrews Show 1966 TV Series Himself Self
The 38th Annual Academy Awards 1966 TV Special Himself – Presenter: Costume Design Awards Self
Searchers for a Special City 1965 Documentary short Himself Self
The Bob Hope Show 1960-1965 TV Series Himself – Guest / Himself Self
Action on the Beach 1964 Short documentary Himself Self
What’s My Line? 1964 TV Series Himself – Mystery Guest #2 Self
Juke Box Jury 1964 TV Series Himself – Panellist Self
I’ve Got a Secret 1962-1963 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
The Lee Phillip Show 1963 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Here’s Hollywood 1962 TV Series Himself Self
The Jack Paar Tonight Show 1962 TV Series Himself Self
The Tonight Show 1962 TV Series Himself Self
The Writers Guild Awards 1962 TV Special Himself – Performer Self
The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers 1962 TV Special Himself Self
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show 1961 TV Series Himself Self
Celebrity Golf 1960 TV Series Himself Self
77 Sunset Strip 1959 TV Series Himself Self
The 11th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1959 TV Special Himself – Presenter Self
The Bing Crosby Special 1959 TV Movie Himself Self
This Is Your Life 1958 TV Series Himself Self
Wide Wide World 1958 TV Series documentary Himself Self
A Football Life 2015 TV Series Himself Archive Footage
Trumbo 2015 Himself (uncredited) Archive Footage
The 87th Annual Academy Awards 2015 TV Special Himself – Actor (In Memoriam) Archive Footage
The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2015 TV Special Himself – In Memoriam Archive Footage
Entertainment Tonight 2014 TV Series Himself Archive Footage
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards 2014 TV Special Himself – In Memoriam Archive Footage
Días de cine 2014 TV Series Archive Footage
Inside Edition 2014 TV Series documentary Himself Archive Footage
Tavis Smiley 2014 TV Series Himself – Guest Archive Footage
The Insider 2014 TV Series Himself Archive Footage
I Am Steve McQueen 2014 Documentary Hendley ‘The Scrounger’ (in ‘The Great Escape’) Archive Footage
Colorshop: 100 Vintage TV Ads, Vol.1 2013 Video Himself Archive Footage
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon 2013 Documentary Himself Archive Footage
The Ultimate Life 2013 Howard ‘Red’ Stevens Archive Footage
The March 2013 TV Movie documentary Himself Archive Footage
I Am Bruce Lee 2012 TV Movie documentary Himself – Training with Bruce Lee Archive Footage
Sing Your Song 2011 Documentary Himself (uncredited) Archive Footage
Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon 2008 Documentary Himself Archive Footage
Brando 2007 TV Movie documentary Himself (uncredited) Archive Footage
Dust to Glory 2005 Documentary Himself Archive Footage
The Unbeatable Bruce Lee 2001 Video documentary Himself Archive Footage
Hollywood Remembers 2000 TV Series documentary Archive Footage
Bruce Lee: A Warrior’s Journey 2000 Video documentary Philip Marlowe Archive Footage
Biography 1995-1999 TV Series documentary Himself Archive Footage
Bruce Lee: In His Own Words 1998 Video documentary short Phillip Marlowe Archive Footage
Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In: 25th Anniversary Reunion 1993 TV Movie Himself Archive Footage
The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion 1993 TV Movie documentary Himself Archive Footage
Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter 1982 TV Movie documentary Actor – ‘The Thrill of It All’ (uncredited) Archive Footage
Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color 1976-1977 TV Series Corporal Clint Keyes / Lincoln Costain Archive Footage

James Garner Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie Category
2010 Career Achievement Award Television Critics Association Awards Won
2006 OFTA TV Hall of Fame Online Film & Television Association Actors and Actresses Won
2005 Movies for Grownups Award AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Best Grownup Love Story The Notebook (2004) Won
2005 Life Achievement Award Screen Actors Guild Awards Won
1999 Honorary Bambi Bambi Awards Lifetime Achievement Won
1999 Golden Boot Golden Boot Awards Won
1996 Bronze Wrangler Western Heritage Awards Television Feature Film Streets of Laredo (1995) Won
1994 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Barbarians at the Gate (1993) Won
1991 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Decoration Day (1990) Won
1987 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special Promise (1986) Won
1987 Golden Apple Golden Apple Awards Male Star of the Year Together with James Woods Won
1982 People’s Choice Award People’s Choice Awards, USA Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program Won
1978 People’s Choice Award People’s Choice Awards, USA Favorite Male TV Performer Won
1977 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series The Rockford Files (1974) Won
1977 Bambi Bambi Awards TV Series International The Rockford Files (1974) Won
1960 Star on the Walk of Fame Walk of Fame Television On 8 February 1960. At 6927 Hollywood Blvd. Won
1958 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Most Promising Newcomer – Male Sayonara (1957) Won
2010 Career Achievement Award Television Critics Association Awards Nominated
2006 OFTA TV Hall of Fame Online Film & Television Association Actors and Actresses Nominated
2005 Movies for Grownups Award AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Best Grownup Love Story The Notebook (2004) Nominated
2005 Life Achievement Award Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominated
1999 Honorary Bambi Bambi Awards Lifetime Achievement Nominated
1999 Golden Boot Golden Boot Awards Nominated
1996 Bronze Wrangler Western Heritage Awards Television Feature Film Streets of Laredo (1995) Nominated
1994 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Barbarians at the Gate (1993) Nominated
1991 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Decoration Day (1990) Nominated
1987 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special Promise (1986) Nominated
1987 Golden Apple Golden Apple Awards Male Star of the Year Together with James Woods Nominated
1982 People’s Choice Award People’s Choice Awards, USA Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program Nominated
1978 People’s Choice Award People’s Choice Awards, USA Favorite Male TV Performer Nominated
1977 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series The Rockford Files (1974) Nominated
1977 Bambi Bambi Awards TV Series International The Rockford Files (1974) Nominated
1960 Star on the Walk of Fame Walk of Fame Television On 8 February 1960. At 6927 Hollywood Blvd. Nominated
1958 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Most Promising Newcomer – Male Sayonara (1957) Nominated