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James Garner Biography

James Garner is a handsome, good-humored leading man whose breakthrough came with his portraying of Maverick, the tongue-in-cheek alternative to the sober TV Westerns in the late 1950s. Garner enjoyed five seasons of popular and critical success with the show, which helped launch him into feature film success in the early 60s.

Garner played several leads in such enjoyable movies as DARBY'S RANGERS (1958) and CASH MCCALL (1959) but his role as "Maverick" was it really that Garner was traded as the next Clark Gable. William Wyler's 1961 remake of THE CHILDREN'S HOUR gave him the least showy lead as a man in love with a woman involved in an implied lesbian affair, here he proofed that he was not only a lightweight talent.
Still, his most popular films of the period were those which spotlighted Garner's wry, easygoing and comic talent.
THE THRILL OF IT ALL and MOVE OVER, DARLING (both 1963) substituted him for Rock Hudson opposite Hollywood's most popular star at that time, Doris Day. But even the exciting war pic, THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963) had as much laughs as thrills.
Indeed, by the time of the enjoyable SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF! (1969) and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER (1971), Garner was back at "Maverick's" turf.

When James Garner accepted to play Raymond Chandler's MARLOWE (1969), he had a hard time ahead of him. Humphrey Bogart had left his mark upon the portrayal of the cynical private investigator.

But with the provocative comedy THE SKIN GAME (1971) and especially his return to the small screen in "The Rockford Files" (1974-80) foregrounded the maturity he had possessed all along.
Garner made detective Jim Rockford a likably relaxed loner. The humor was quieter, more often than not aimed ruefully at the "system" or affectionately at his aging father (Noah Berry, Jr.). Critics and colleagues were as receptive as fans and Garner received five Emmy nominations in as many years, winning once in 1977.

James Garner's film career went on hold during the run of "Rockford" and has been spotty since.
The farce VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982) found him in good form on familiar ground, but he clearly could not continue in romantic leads. (This movie is one of my favourites. Julie Andrews who plays Victoria later teamed up with James Garner again in: One Special Night)
MURPHY'S ROMANCE (1985) - with Sally Fields - deservedly brought him an Oscar nomination and showed he could move gracefully into older roles. But unfortunately at this time James Garner was already typed as a TV star. Adapting to the situation, Garner turned producer and set up some of the most acclaimed work of his career.
PROMISE (1986) showed Garner as a man who must take over the care of his schizophrenic brother (James Woods), and MY NAME IS BILL W. (1989) reteamed Garner and Woods in the story of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.
His revival series, "Bret Maverick," and his attempt at sitcom, "Man of the People," faded rather quickly.
In the 90s Garner has assumed such supporting feature roles as the paternal Texas ranger who must handle a UFO report in FIRE IN THE SKY (1993).

The former star of "Maverick" went on to play Zane Cooper in the 1994 film version, which had Mel Gibson in the title role. Garner displayed his usual wit and charm as the lawman hot on Bret Maverick's trail.

Remarkable was his return to the big screen in MY FELLOW AMERICANS (1996). He and Jack Lemmon are portraying two former American Presidents who realize that they have an enemy within the government and set out to find evidence that will clear their names.

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