R.I.P. – James Garner

James Garner, star of movies and tv, was found dead in his Los Angeles home yesterday.  Mr. Garner was 86.

If you are a child of the 50’s then James Garner is probably best known to you for the role of Brett Maverick [the role that launched him to stardom] in the series Maverick.  Garner played a new kind of hero, one that preferred to use his wits rather than his guns or fists to get him out of trouble.

If you grew up in the 60’s then you probably know James Garner the movie star.  Movies like The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily, Duel at Diablo, Support Your Local Sheriff, and Marlowe all come to mind.

The 70’s saw a combination of movies and tv.  The early 70’s included the movies Support Your Local Gunfighter, and Skin Game as well as the short-lived tv series Nichols.  Then in 1974, James Garner’s other cornerstone character, Jim Rockford began appearing when the Rockford Files premiered  (which ran until 1980).

James Garner went on to star in many more movies [Victor/Victoria, Murphy’s Romance, Space Cowboys,  and The Notebook are just a few], but time and time again he would return to Brett Maverick [tv series and movies] and Jim Rockford [tv movies].

My favorite James Garner roles include the two Support Your Local… movies, Marlowe [Bruce Lee appears and Garner plays Phillip Marlowe!], Nichols [watched and enjoyed the series as a kid and would love to see how it holds up] and of course Jim Rockford.

Many actors are called legendary.  James Garner embodied what it takes to get that designation.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.