On this day, April 7, 1928, James Garner was born.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Fri Apr 7, 2023, 10:19 AM - Edit history (1)

James Garner



Garner as Maverick (1959)

Born: James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928; Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: July 19, 2014 (aged 86); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater: University of Oklahoma
Occupation(s) Actor, producer
Years active: 1954–2010
Political party: Democratic
Spouse: Lois Josephine Fleischman Clarke
​
James Garner (born James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor. He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including The Great Escape (1963) with Steve McQueen; Paddy Chayefsky's The Americanization of Emily (1964) with Julie Andrews; Cash McCall (1960) with Natalie Wood; The Wheeler Dealers (1963) with Lee Remick; Darby's Rangers (1958) with Stuart Whitman; Roald Dahl's 36 Hours (1965) with Eva Marie Saint; Raymond Chandler's Marlowe (1969) with Bruce Lee; Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) with Walter Brennan; Blake Edwards's Victor/Victoria (1982) with Julie Andrews; and Murphy's Romance (1985) with Sally Field, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He also starred in several television series, including popular roles such as Bret Maverick in the ABC 1950s Western series Maverick and as Jim Rockford in the NBC 1970s private detective show, The Rockford Files.

Garner's career and popularity continued into the 21st century with films such as Space Cowboys (2000) with Clint Eastwood; the animated film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) (voice work) with Michael J. Fox and Cree Summer; The Notebook (2004) with Gena Rowlands and Ryan Gosling; and in his TV sitcom role as Jim Egan in 8 Simple Rules (2003–2005).

{snip}

[twodogsbarking]

1. His early childhood was a nightmare. Somehow he overcame it.

[niyad]

2. Always liked him.

[Aristus]

3. He was a pretty progressive guy.

And he really didn’t like Ronald Reagan.

[Doc Sportello]

4. Garner took part in the March on Washington

Joining Marlon Brando, Dihann Carroll and other celebrities. He supported Democrats and defied the Hollywood power structure, eventually winning a big lawsuit and helping to break the studio systems' power and and its fradulent accounting processes. I read his autobiography and he was open about his life and beliefs. He never cared about being popular with the Hollywood elite and never forgot his hometown roots or friends and family in Norman. A good, compassionate man and terrific actor.

[Omnipresent]

5. James did all of the car chases and almost all of the stunts on 'Rockford Files'.

I still enjoy that show being played on METV.
They broadcast shows of other great left leaning stars, like Andy Griffith and Eddy Albert too.