Emmy Award-winning television and film actor James Garner was born on April 7, 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma. He joined the United States Merchant Marine when he was 16, but suffered from chronic seasickness. He then joined his father the next year in Los Angeles and enrolled in Hollywood High School. In 1954, he was asked by a friend to take a non-speaking role the Broadway production of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, leading him to acting for television commercials and eventually roles.
James Garner’s first film performances were in Toward the Unknown and The Girl He Left Behind in 1956. Several film and television roles later, he gained popularity starring in the television series Maverick, a Western comedy which aired in 1957 to 1960. His big break as Bret Maverick made him the star for the first seven episodes of the highly successful series, until Warner Brothers decided to create a brother for him, Bart, played by Jack Kelly. Garner quit the show in its third season due to disputes with the company, and the show never recovered.
He then returned to films in the 1960s, playing roles in movies like 1963’s The Thrill of It All, Move Over Darling and The Great Escape. In 1966, he was cast in the racing movie Grand Prix as Pete Aron. More success came his way when he starred in the Western comedy Support Your Local Sherriff in 1969. The sequel, Support Your Local Gunfighter in 1971 didn’t overcome the achievements of its predecessor. In 1971, Garner was cast in a TV show known as Nichols. The show was cancelled, and he moved on to play a role he is famous for, the private eye Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files. He won an Emmy for his portrayal of the character, but the show ended in 1980. He was also in the movie Tank in 1984, and was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for his portrayal of Murphy Jones in Murphy’s Romance. He also starred with Bruce Willis in Sunset in 1988, and returned to fame in 1993 for his role in the acclaimed TV movie Barbarians at the Gate. In 1994, he appeared in a theatrical remake of his old series Maverick. He played in numerous other television movies during the 2000s, playing roles in The Last Debate and Roughing It. In 2002, he appeared in the movie The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and has also portrayed Duke in The Notebook. From 2003 to 2005, James Garner joined the cast of the TV sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter as Jim Egan.
Spouse:
Lois Clarke (17 August 1956 - present) 2 children
He has two brothers, Jack Garner & Charlie Baumgarner.
He and his wife Lois Clarke were married at the Beverly Hills Court House just two weeks after they met at a political rally.
He adopted daughter Kimberly at nine years old. Kimberley is Lois Clarke's daughter from her first marriage.
Lost his mother when he was 5, and his two brothers were sent off to live with relatives.
Is involved with many humanitarian causes.
Is a volunteer of Save the Children.
Is an avid golfer.
Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1986.
Is a Korean War veteran and began his career as a contract player in 1956 for Warner Bros.
He was attending Hollywood High in Los Angeles when his gym teacher recommended him for a job modeling Jantzen bathing suits. He got the job making $25 an hour.
His brother Charlie Baumgarter died in 1985.
Is best friends with Doris Day, Clint Eastwood, Lauren Bacall.
About everything I ever have done, in the way of lawsuits against studios, I've won them all, because I was right every time.
Marriage is like the Army; everyone complains, but you'd be surprised at the large number of people who re-enlist.
[Asked if he would ever do a nude scene] "I don't do horror films."
I don't like to speak in public. It scares the devil out of me.
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.
[On his role as 'Bret Maverick'] I'm playing me. Bret Maverick is lazy: I'm lazy. And I *like* being lazy.