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Who is James Garner

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Rockford Rules!

James Garner is Jim Rockford to me. I know he has done a lot of other things, and I have even liked his other roles. But, Rockford Files is the one I identify with him the most. That chin of his and the troubles he found himself in were so much fun for me to watch. That being said, let's not forget that James Garner is Bret Maverick also. The Maverick show I admit I only caught in repeats, but I watched every one of them I could.

Looking back over his career now, I feel perfectly justified in being a huge fan of his from early on. If you'd like to be a fan too, keep reading to find out more about this star:

James Garner At A Glance

Born James Scott Bumgarner in Norman, OK, April 7, 1928. Attended University of Oklahoma; studied acting at Herbert Bergof Studios, New York. Served with U.S. Merchant Marines in Korean War (awarded Purple Heart). Married: Lois Clark, 1956; children: Greta, Kimberly, and Scott. Began career with stage production The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, early 1950s; offered contract with Warner Brothers, 1956; film debut, Toward the Unknown, 1956; title role in Maverick, 1957-62; title role in The Rockford Files, NBC-TV, 1974-79. Recipient: Emmy Awards, 1977 and 1986.

Three Reasons To Love James Garner

The Rockford Files
Maverick
Space Cowboys

The Rockford Files: Own 'Em And Watch When You Want

James Garner's Personal Life

Unlike many celebrities, James Garner has been married only once. He met Lois Clarke and married her 14 days later on Aug 17, 1956 during the height of his fame. They have remained together ever since. According to Garner, "Marriage is like the Army; everyone complains, but you'd be surprised at the large number of people who re-enlist". Garner has two daughters: Kimberly (a stepdaughter, from Clarke's first marriage) and Greta 'Gigi' Garner.

James Garner is a big supporter for the University of Oklahoma, he often returns to Norman for school functions. For years he could be seen on the sidelines or up in the press box at Oklahoma Sooners football games. Garner received an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree at OU in 1995. In 2003 to endow the James Garner Chair in the School of Drama, he donated $500,000, half of a pledged $1 million dollars, for the first endowed position at the drama school. Tom H. Orr, the Director for the School of Drama (Acting/Camera Acting) and the Artistic Director University Theatre, currently holds the James Garner Chair at the university. On April 21, 2006, a ten-foot tall bronze statue of Garner as Bret Maverick was unveiled in Garner's hometown of Norman, Oklahoma, with Garner present at the ceremony.

Garner is a strong Democratic Party supporter, contributing over $7500 to Democrats running for Federal office the past seven years, including Dennis Kucinich (for Congress in 2002), Richard Gephardt, John Kerry, Barbara Boxer, and various Democratic committees and groups. Since 1982 Garner has given at least $29,000 to Federal campaigns, and over $24,000 of that has been to the Democrats. For his role in the 1985 CBS miniseries Space, the character's party affiliation was changed from a Republican (as in the book) to reflect Garner's personal views. Prior to the entry of ex-San Francisco Mayor (later U.S. Senator) Dianne Feinstein, there was an effort by party leaders to persuade James Garner to seek the 1990 Democratic nomination for Governor of California.

James Garner Made For TV Movies

1978 The New Maverick
1982 The Long Summer of George Adams
1984 Heartsounds
1986 Promise (also producer)
1989 My Name is Bill W. (also producer)
1990 Decorations Day
1993 Barbarians at the Gate
1994 Breathing Lessons
Rockford Files TV Movies
1974 The Rockford Files
1994 Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A
1995 Rockford Files: A Blessing In Disguise
1996 Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits
1996 Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play

The Chevy Tahoe Commercial Poem

Narrated By James Garner

I love this commercial - not for the truck, but for the poem. And, I can not think of anyone else that could read it that would be as moving. Wait, I hear what you're asking - a moving truck commercial? yes. Listen to the words once, you'll see what I mean...

Chevy Tahoe: Nobody Knows It But Me: by jvbradley | video info

41 ratings | 18,448 views

curated content from YouTube

The Ultimate Gift

Amazon Price: $6.45 (as of 02/17/2012)
List Price: $14.98

Based on the best-selling book "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall, the story sends trust fund baby Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) on an improbable journey of discovery, having to answer the ultimate question: "What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?" Jason had a very simple relationship with his impossibly wealthy Grandfather, Howard "Red" Stevens (James Garner). He hated him. No heart-to-heart talks, no warm fuzzies, just cold hard cash. So of course he figured that when Red died, the whole "reading of the will" thing would be another simple cash transaction, that his Grandfather's money would allow him to continue living in the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed. But what Red left him was anything but simple. Red instead devised a plan for Jason to experience a crash course on life. Twelve tasks, which Red calls "gifts," each challenging Jason in an improbable way, the accumulation of which would change him forever.

James Garner Movies

James Garner Filmography

Toward the Unknown, 1956
The Girl He Left Behind, 1956
Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend, 1957
Sayonara, 1957
Darby's Rangers, 1959
Up Periscope, 1959
Cash McCall, 1960
The Children's Hour, 1962
Boy's Night Out, 1962
The Great Escape, 1963
The Thrill of It All, 1963
The Wheeler Dealers, 1963
Move Over Darling, 1963
The Americanization of Emily, 1964
36 Hours, 1965
The Art of Love, 1965
A Man Could Get Killed, 1966
Duel at Diablo, 1966
Mister Buddwing, 1966
Grand Prix, 1966
Hour of the Gun, 1967
How Sweet It Is, 1968
The Pink Jungle, 1968
Marlowe, 1969
Support Your Local Sheriff, 1969
A Man Called Sledge, 1970
Support Your Local Gunfighter, 1971
Skin Game, 1971
They Kill Their Masters, 1972
One Little Indian, 1973
The Castaway Cowboys, 1974
H.E.A.L.T.H, 1979
The Fan, 1981
Victor/Victoria, 1982
Tank, 1984
Murphy's Romance, 1985
Sunset, 1988
Fire in the Sky, 1993
Maverick, 1994

What Do You Think Of James Garner?

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James Garner Television

His Series and Mini-Series

1957-60 Maverick
1971-72 Nichols
1974-79 Rockford Files
1981-82 and 1990 Bret Maverick
1991 Man of the People
1985 Space (mini-series)
1995 Larry McMurtry's Streets of Laredo (mini-series)

The Theme Song From Maverick

Who is the tall dark stranger there?
Maverick is his name!
Riding the trail to who knows where
Luck is his companion
Gamblin' is his game.

Smooth as the handle on a gun
Maverick is his name.
Wild as the wind in Oregon
Blowing up a canyon, easier to tame.

Riverboat ring your bell!
Fare thee well Annabelle!
Luck is the lady that he loves the best.
Natchez to New Orleans,
Livin' on jacks and queens,
Maverick is the legend of the west.

Maverick - The TV Series - Available From Amazon

James Garner Guest Book

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Deb Dell Sep 15, 2011 @ 6:44 pm | delete

I have always liked James Garner. The Thrill of It All and Move Over Darling with Doris Day as well as Maverick, and The Rockford files, plus Murphy's Romance. He was such a handsome man, too.

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Patricia Nichols Newark, Ohio Dec 18, 2010 @ 6:44 pm | delete

I remember in the late 1960's and seeing "The Thrill Of It All" on Tv and the scene when the car goes in the pool, that look on his face. I was hooked. He his still my favorite actor. I still watch all the Rockford Files as much as I can. I own all the CD's of Rockford. My favorite movie is Murphys Romance. The scene when they all get cowboy hats and James Garner explain the correct way to wear them. Absolute classic.

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BuildABetterMouseTrip Oct 11, 2010 @ 1:12 pm | delete

I recently had a cold and used it as a great excuse to lay on the couch and watch old episodes of Rockford Files on netflix - starting with the pilot episode. What a great show.

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Janice94304 Sep 21, 2010 @ 12:46 pm | delete

Three reasons (and many more, if given more time to write up) to love James Garner: Maverick, Rockford Files, Murphy's Romance.

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Emery Apr 17, 2009 @ 7:48 am | delete

I have always liked James Garner and his work. Even now, I watch some re-runs of Maverick and I certainly liked the movie, Maverick. The big let-down is to see the last paragraph of the "personal life", above. I have just about had it with all the liberalism from hollywood and am particularly disgusted by those who can't get through a conversation without soiling it with their left-leaning jibberish. I have not put Garner in this category, but I believe it is important to avoid political statements unless you are willing to lose fans and support.

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SurenenHappy Sep 6, 2008 @ 11:31 am | delete

I have watched Mr Garner since I was a child and wanted to thank him for sharing his talent and his presence with us. We are better because of him.

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TheInfamous7 Aug 10, 2008 @ 9:17 am | delete

Splendid!! James Garner's a Legend!! Rockford Files, Great Escape, The Notebook..

This is a great SquidWho!!

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Tiddledeewinks Jul 1, 2008 @ 9:52 pm | delete

A wonderful tribute to one of my favorite actors. I love any actor who has been with one wife so long, such as Charleton Heston and Paul Newman and James Stewart.