Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)

Subject: BS: Obit : Actor James Garner July 2014
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 08:59 AM

Story Here


Actor James Garner, whose whimsical style in the 1950s TV Western "Maverick" led to a stellar career in TV and films such as "The Rockford Files" and his Oscar-nominated "Murphy's Romance," has died, police said. He was 86.

He was found dead of natural causes Saturday evening at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles police officer Alonzo Iniquez said early Sunday.

Police responded to a call around 8 p.m. and confirmed Garner's identity from family members, Iniquez told The Associated Press.

There was no immediate word on a more specific cause of death. Garner had suffered a stroke in May 2008, just weeks after his 80th birthday.

Although he was adept at drama and action, Garner was best known for his low-key, wisecracking style, especially with his hit TV series, "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files."

His quick-witted avoidance of conflict provided a refreshingly new take on the American hero, contrasting with the steely heroics of John Wayne and the fast trigger of Clint Eastwood.

Well into his 70s, the handsome Oklahoman remained active in both TV and film. In 2002, he was Sandra Bullock's father in the film "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." The following year, he joined the cast of "8 Simple Rules … For Dating My Teenage Daughter," playing the grandfather on the sitcom after star John Ritter, who played the father, died during the show's second season.

When he received the Screen Actors Guild's lifetime achievement award in 2005, he quipped, "I'm not at all sure how I got here."


But in his 2011 memoir, "The Garner Files," he provided some amusing and enlightening clues, including his penchant for bluntly expressed opinions and a practice for decking people who said something nasty to his face — including an obnoxious fan and an abusive stepmother. They all deserved it, Garner declared in his book.

It was in 1957 when the ABC network, desperate to compete on ratings-rich Sunday night, scheduled "Maverick" against CBS's powerhouse "The Ed Sullivan Show" and NBC's "The Steve Allen Show." "Maverick" soon outpolled them both.

At a time when the networks were crowded with hard-eyed, traditional Western heroes, Bret Maverick provided a fresh breath of air. With his sardonic tone and his eagerness to talk his way out of a squabble rather than pull out his six-shooter, the con-artist Westerner seemed to scoff at the genre's values.

After a couple of years, Garner felt the series was losing its creative edge, and he found a legal loophole to escape his contract in 1960.

His first film after "Maverick" established him as a movie actor. It was "The Children's Hour," William Wyler's remake of Lillian Hellman's lesbian drama that co-starred Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine.

He followed in a successful comedy with Kim Novak, "Boys Night Out," and then fully established his box-office appeal with the 1963 blockbuster war drama "The Great Escape" and two smash comedies with Doris Day — "The Thrill of It All" and "Move Over Darling."


Throughout his long film career, Garner demonstrated his versatility in comedies ("The Art of Love," "A Man Could Get Killed," "Skin Game"), suspense ("36 Hours," "They Only Kill Their Masters," "Marlowe"), Westerns ("Duel at Diablo," "Hour of the Gun," "Support Your Local Gunfighter").

In the 1980s and 1990s, when most stars his age were considered over the hill, Garner's career remained strong.

He played a supporting role as a marshal in the 1994 "Maverick," a big-screen return to the TV series with Mel Gibson in Garner's old title role. His only Oscar nomination came for the 1985 "Murphy's Romance," a comedy about a small-town love relationship in which he co-starred with Sally Field.

His favorite film, though, was the cynical 1964 war drama "The Americanization of Emily," which co-starred Julie Andrews.

Unlike most film stars, Garner made repeated returns to television. "Nichols" (1971-72) and "Bret Maverick" (1981-82) were short-lived, but "The Rockford Files" (1974-80) proved a solid hit, bringing him an Emmy.

Among his notable TV movies: "Barbarians at the Gate" (as tycoon F. Ross Johnson), "Breathing Lessons," "The Promise," "My Name Is Bill W.," "The Streets of Laredo" and "One Special Night."

He said he learned about acting while playing a non-speaking role as a Navy juror in the 1954 Broadway hit play "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial," starring Henry Fonda and Lloyd Nolan.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 10:50 AM

I always liked his persona- and often had the feeling it was the real person. Thanks for the fun, Mr. Garner.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 10:58 AM

New York Times obit for Garner. He was a consistent favorite through the years. My mother loved Murphy's Romance, a story that he pulled off convincingly. I grew up watching the Maverick series repeats.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 11:20 AM

James Garner, is right up there among my acting faves. Americanization of Emily is my favorite of his films. Move Over Darling showed he was not quite Cary Grant (the film was a remake of My Favorite Wife) when it came to a double/triple take in the elevator scene...but close. He made acting 'seem' so easy.

In Los Angeles Maverick is shown on cable tv on a sideband channel of the local NBC station, COZI TV. I try to catch a couple of episodes a week.

RIP

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 11:54 AM

He appeared in at least one musical, Victor/Victoria. I also enjoyed the Polaroid commercials he did with Mariette Hartley.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 12:13 PM

Great guy!! Of the films noted in the above posts, there is one notable omission, that, in my opinion, was the most endearing films ever..."The Notebook"
Thank You, James for bringing 'clean and wholesome' to your audiences.
We'll talk to you later.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: Don Firth
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 12:45 PM

"The Rockford Files" was on my "must watch" list back in the Seventies.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 02:31 PM

Always enjoyed his film and TV work.
Wesley S, good summary.
I was another who never missed Rockford Files or Maverick.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: Greg F.
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 02:51 PM

Another good man done gone.

Rest easy, Jim.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Garner July 2014
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 04:47 PM

Ah!, The Maverick Brothers. Happy Sunday afternoon viewing in the Charlie when young household. That's when there was only Brett and Bart.
RIP Mr. Garner.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 06:03 PM

James Garner? Half a century of acting, and I never remember an instance of him behaving like an idiot, an egomaniac, or a spoiled child; why would anyone in modern America be interested in anyone who didn't know how to behave like a proper celebrity?

This is one of those moments that makes me feel old; how could that young guy who was "Maverick" a few years ago have been 86 years old...

What Greg said: "Another good man done gone".

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 06:37 PM

Indeed, a nice person and a great actor.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 06:50 PM

Generally speaking, frogprince, the stars before the seventies had a long film apprenticeship, so to speak coming up through the studios, or stage, or non-public types of work, and came to stardom at a more mature age--late twenties/early thirties. Some example: Garner, Jason Robards,Jr., Clark Gable, Rock Hudson, Spencer Tracy, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster and James Cagney. Now, many are stars barely out of their teens, and do not have the training, guidance and work ethic. Of course, there were the John Barrymores, Errol Flynns and Charlie Chaplains who were, for their period, the the bad boys...but still had long careers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 08:05 PM

I was surprised when our local news channel reported that Garners career "had taken off when he starred in the Rockford Files." As if his career had been nothing before that. Odd.

Garner at IMDB

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: bbc
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 10:16 PM

Rest in peace! His work brought much pleasure!

bbc

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Janie
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 10:21 PM

Oh man, another goodin' gone. Rockford Files was post my TV era, but Maverick and reruns, plus James Garner and Doris Day movies, permeated my early life. Loved Space Cowboys.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Garner, and thanks.

Damn, I keep waiting for the Spawser to chime in.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 11:48 PM

Let us not forget "Up Periscope".
Thanks for some great movies and TV shows, Mr. Garner!

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 12:55 AM

When my children were in the 8 to 12 age range we made a point of watching movies together. I didn't restrict them from watching adult films and I chose them according to whether the films seemed important for various reasons.

At one point my son and I watched High Noon with Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, and a number of recognizable co-stars. The music seemed unusual for a western, but we enjoyed it and had talked about some of the aspects of the film. Months later to kill a rainy weekend my son decided to watch a DVD my sister sent for xmas from a set of James Garner films. He pulled out Support Your Local Sheriff and laughed along, but when it got to a particular overhead view of him in the street before the Danby gang comes to town, my then-9-year-old remarked "that's just like in High Noon." I was so pleased he saw that.

I raised my kids to watch film and TV with an open mind and to pass one film over another to make that kind of connection. The homage to the earlier film was apparent in many ways, but particularly in that scene. I'm sure Garner had a very good idea of just what that role meant, and when played it as a comedy, he didn't overplay it. His film worked even while it made many references to the classic.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 03:38 AM

Always enjoyed watching him on film and TV, 'Rockford Files' was a particular favourite. Married 58 years, not the norm' in his profession! Good for him. RIP.

Rog

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Amergin
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 04:23 AM

I really loved Support Your Local gunfighter and Support Your Local Sheriff....sigh I loved his shows. He always had that easygoing charming wit going on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 08:08 PM

I feel a James Garner movie series coming on.

He was in Up, Periscope, The Great Escape, in The Americanization of Emily, Victor/Victoria, Skin Game, and Murphy's Romance, but also small yet important films like Promise. I haven't seen The Notebook, and it has been years since I've seen most of the rest of them. NetFlix, here I come!

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Don Firth
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 09:46 PM

Victor/Victoria. What a snort!!

I knew a girl in high school who sang in the choir and had a nice soprano singing voice. After high school I lost track of her until we ran into each other in a downtown Seattle restaurant about ten years later. She's got married, moved to Alaska, had a baby, got divorced, and returned to Seattle, and got a job in one phase of show business.

At the time, there was a gay night club called "The Garden of Allah" on Seattle's sometimes notorious First Avenue that featured female impersonators. Wilma needed a job, discovered the place, and offered the owner an interesting deal.

During this intervening ten years, she had smoked like a chimney, and although she could still sing, her voice had become about as deep as mine is. She was quite nicely built, and tall. And she could dance a bit. The owner of the club thought her idea was a real hoot, so he hired her.

Wilma worked at this job for a couple of years. As in the movie, Victor/Victoria, a female impersonating a male doing and act as a female impersonator! (Did you manage to follow that?)   She had a good following and worked at it for a couple of years before she dumped show biz and went to work for a computer company (mainframes, long before the PC).

When I saw the movie, it occurred to me that my friend Wilma had beaten Julie Andrews to it by about twenty years!

Can't blame the James Garner character for being a bit bewildered at times….

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: GUEST,big al whittle
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 03:47 AM

as my old pappy used to sa to me........

Maverick folded......

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor James Garner (1928-2014)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 04:53 PM

I just about remember him as Brett Maverick when it was shown on British TV (am I also correct in dimly remembering Roger Moore as Beau?) but I really enjoyed the Rockford files!

Another good one gone....

kitty