James Garner: The Life, Loves, And Legacy Of A Hollywood Icon

Imagine this: You're just a regular dad trying to take your daughter on a fun day out. That’s exactly what James Garner attempted to do on his day off in bustling London. His young daughter, Greta “Gigi” Garner, remembers the day they visited the iconic Tower of London. “We hopped out of the car, and boom—people surrounded us,” Gigi recalls in an interview with Closer. “Right there, it hit me. My dad wasn’t just Dad; he was someone special.”

From Oklahoma to Hollywood: The Reluctant Star

James Garner, the quick-witted and beloved actor, left an indelible mark on both the big and small screens. He starred in around 50 films, was nominated for an Oscar, and gave life to TV’s underdog heroes, Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford. Yet, despite his towering success, Garner never embraced the glitz and glamour of fame. He and his wife, Lois, chose to raise their family quietly in Brentwood, California—a place that still felt like a peaceful retreat from the chaos of Los Angeles. “Publicity? I hate it,” James once admitted. “I’d rather dig ditches than sit through interviews.”

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Stumbling Into Stardom

Born in Oklahoma, Garner didn’t set out to become a movie star. In fact, his journey into acting was almost accidental. Back in high school, he did some modeling, but it wasn’t until he randomly visited a talent agent he’d met while working at a gas station that things took a turn. Cast in a non-speaking role in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, which eventually landed on Broadway, James found himself in the presence of acting legend Henry Fonda. “I basically stole my entire acting style from him,” James revealed with a laugh.

The Maverick and the Detective

While Henry Fonda became a lifelong friend, James admitted he struggled with stage fright, which led him away from live theater. Instead, he transitioned into film and television, landing roles like 1957’s Sayonara alongside Marlon Brando. But it was TV where he truly shone, bringing poker player Bret Maverick to life in the late '50s and later donning the iconic tattered sport coat of Jim Rockford in the '70s. In his 2011 memoir, The Garner Files, James reflected, “If you compare Maverick and Rockford, they’re practically the same guy. One gambles, the other solves crimes, but their attitudes are identical.”

Love, Family, and Breaking the Cycle

James met his future wife, Lois Clarke, in 1956 at a gathering for presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. It was love at first sight. “We knew immediately,” James said, proposing just two weeks later. Despite family objections—Lois was Jewish, James was Methodist—they tied the knot. James even adopted Lois’s daughter, Kimberly. Two years later, their daughter Gigi was born. “Dad was the ultimate father,” Gigi reflects. “He wasn’t just the guy who showed up for birthdays. He played on the floor with us, made time for us. He was extraordinary.”

James was determined to break the cycle of his own troubled childhood. His father was an alcoholic who married multiple times, and one of James’s stepmothers was abusive. “A lot of people with abusive pasts like Dad’s continue the pattern,” Gigi notes. “But my dad stopped it. He wanted to give us everything he never had.”

Homebody with Heart

For James, nothing compared to the joy of being home with his family. “He loved being at home, watching sports, and hanging out with the dogs,” Gigi says. “If acting hadn’t happened, I think he’d have been a sports announcer—he knew sports inside and out.”

But James’s childhood struggles left lasting scars. He battled depression and anxiety throughout his life. “When he got angry, it was intense, but he never took it out on others,” Maverick director Leslie H. Martinson once said. “He’d quietly punch a wall or a board.” Like many men of his generation, James tried to keep his struggles private. “He didn’t complain,” Gigi adds. “He handled things quietly.”

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The Price of Success

Despite his success, the demands of television took a toll. James developed ulcers and suffered injuries while performing his own stunts. During the 1971 season of Nichols, he and Lois separated briefly. They reunited but faced challenges again due to the intense pressure of The Rockford Files. “Work had drained me physically and mentally,” James explained. “I needed a break, and Lois understood.”

The Rockford Files brought James massive success, but it also exacted a heavy price. Back issues and knee surgeries became part of his life. “Dad had to stop The Rockford Files because he was so worn out,” Gigi says. “He used to joke, ‘If I knew I’d live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.’”

Even in his later years, James continued to charm audiences. A new generation fell in love with him in the 2004 romance The Notebook, and he returned to TV in comedies like 8 Simple Rules. In 2014, James passed away at his Brentwood home at the age of 86 after a heart attack. “Dad was a true gentleman and an animal lover,” Gigi says. “He lived by the Golden Rule. People like him are rare these days.”