Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > James Garner
James Garner Facts
| Sign | Aries |
| Born |
Apr 7, 1928 Norman, Oklahoma |
| Died |
Jul 19, 2014 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 86 |
| Total Facts | 49 |
A big Oakland Raiders football fan. Could be seen on sidelines with the team during games.
According to an article on TV westerns in Time Magazine (March 30, 1959), Garner stood 6'3", weighed 206 lbs, and had chest-waist-hips measurements of 44-33-40.
Although Garner is a lifelong liberal Democrat, his best friend is a conservative Republican.
Before he was an actor, he did everything from work at a gas station to model men's clothing.
Best known by the public for his starring role as the title character in "The Rockford Files" (1974).
Driver of pace cars at the 59th Indianapolis 500 (May 25, 1975), the 61st Indianapolis 500 (May 29, 1977), and at the 69th Indianapolis 500 (May 26, 1985).
Early in his career, he appeared as one of the judges in "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" on Broadway. He said his part consisted mostly of listening to the other actors, and he said it was a great lesson. He feels listening is just as important as speaking as an actor.
Enjoyed great celebrity with his Polaroid commercial series with Mariette Hartley, which started in 1977. He and Mariette were so convincing as husband and wife that Mariette had a T-shirt made that proclaimed, "I am not James Garner's wife!" More than 300 commercials were produced.
Father of Gigi Garner, author of "The Cop Cookbook" and "Girl Talk".
Garner has said he stood 6' 3" at his peak, but he was frequently reported as 6' 1" early in his career and, in comparison to other actors, he never seemed to loom at 6' 3". These days, since his 70s, few have seen him to be over 5' 11" and he has admitted he was shrunk an inch or two.
Had both knees replaced. [2000]
Had helped organize Martin Luther King's famous "March on Washington" civil rights demonstration, four years before going to Vietnam. (1963).
Had quintuple heart bypass surgery. [1988]
Has a stepdaughter, Kimberly, from his wife's first marriage.
Has a street named after him in his hometown of Norman. "James Garner Ave".
Has played two different characters named Jim who served in the Korean War: Jim Rockford in "The Rockford Files" (1974) and Jim Egan in "8 Simple Rules" (2002).
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 has two brothers, Jack Garner & Charlie Baumgarner.
He starred in 3 popular TV series: "Maverick" (1957) for 3 seasons, "The Rockford Files" (1974) for 6 seasons, and "8 Simple Rules" (2002), for 2 seasons.
He was a good friend of the late Paul Newman. Garner has appeared together with both Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward in several movies.
He was a student of Bruce Lee's in his jeet kune do style of martial art after starring with Lee in the film Marlowe.
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.
He was very disappointed about his show, "The Rockford Files" (1974), being cancelled due to his illness. He accepted his doctor's advice and learned that season 6 was his last.
His brother Charlie Bumgarter died in 1985.
His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.
In 1995, he received an honorary doctorate from The University of Oklahoma, in his home town of Norman, OK. This was one month after bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. He was quoted as saying during his commencement ceremony speech, "If there's anything positive to come from this event, it is seeing the character, the toughness & the dignity of the Oklahoma people as they suffer the grief and carry on with their lives. It makes every Oklahoman, where ever we are, to be PROUD to be an Oklahoman.".
In a 1973 interview, John Wayne named Garner as the best American actor.
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1990.
Inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1978.
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.
Is a volunteer of Save the Children.
Is an avid golfer.
Is best friends with James Coburn,Doris Day, Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews, Robert Guillaume and Lauren Bacall.
Is involved with many humanitarian causes.
James Garner adopted his wife's 9 year old daughter Kimberly after they were married. About a year later, James Garner's only biological daughter, Gigi Garner, was born in Santa Monica, California.
James Garner is noted for his starring roles in two popular TV series: Maverick (1958-62) and The Rockford Files (1974-80) for which he won an Emmy.
Learned a lot from the late John Ritter,when watching "Three's Company" (1976). After Ritter's death, Garner appeared with the cast of "8 Simple Rules" (2002) talking about the popular comedian on "Larry King Live" (1985), on the future of "8 Simple Rules.".
Lost his mother when he was 5, and he & his two brothers were split up & sent off to live with relatives.
Narrates the intro videos for the University of Oklahoma football team as they enter the stadium.
Of all his films, The Americanization of Emily (1964) is his favorite.
Once owned a four hundred acre vineyard in Santa Ynez California called "White Rhino" vineyard and bottled his own Chardonnay called "Chateau Jimbeaux".
Part Cherokee Indian.
Quit smoking following his quintuple heart bypass on 22 April 1988.
Underwent surgery after suffering a severe stroke in May 2008 and is recovering well.
Very close friend of the late James Coburn, also knew Lee Marvin well.
Was a very good friend of the late Bill Bixby.
Was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer in 1979.
Was the first actor to co-star with Julie Andrews in three movies: The Americanization of Emily (1964), Victor Victoria (1982), and One Special Night (1999) (TV).