Actor James Garner passed away at his Brentwood area home in Los Angeles Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was 86.
LAPD officer Alonzo Iniquez said Garner was found dead of natural causes, after police responded to a call made at around 8 p.m. PDT. Authorities confirmed Garner’s identity with the help of his family members upon arrival. Details on the cause of death have not been released, though Garner did suffer a stroke in 2008, only weeks after his 80th birthday.
James Garner was born James Scott Bumgarner on April 7, 1928, in Norman, Oklahoma. He is remembered for his work on the big and small screen, in a career that spanned over five decades.
Garner starred in several television shows over the years, and was most notably featured as Bret Maverick in the 1950’s comedy-western series Maverick, and as Jim Rockford in the 1970’s police procedural The Rockford Files.
On the silver screen, Garner starred in over 50 films including The Great Escape (1963), Grand Prix (1966), Victor Victoria (1982) and Murphy’s Romance (1985), for which he received an Oscar nomination.
Here Garner stars alongside Steve McQueen in The Great Escape:
Modern audiences remember him for his role in the hit 2004 romdram The Notebook, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
Here is a deleted scene from The Notebook:
Hollywood personalities take to Twitter to honor Garner:
Jim Rockford was THE coolest. Farewell, James Garner.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 20, 2014
R.I.P. James Garner Class, talent, gentleman. Honored to work with you sir. May light perpetual shine upon you! https://t.co/ZoyZQm8xSw
— robert patrick (@robertpatrickT2) July 20, 2014
RIP to a legend. James Garner was both a kind man and gifted actor. It was an honor to work with him on #TheNotebook. He will be missed.
— Nicholas Sparks (@NicholasSparks) July 20, 2014
Life as we know it, has missed a beat today with the passing of a #Legend and true Man , James Garner. #RIP
— David Boreanaz (@David_Boreanaz) July 20, 2014
I think James Garner was my first crush.
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) July 20, 2014
No one was ever a bigger star for a longer time in both TV and movies. And a very sweet man, too. RIP #JamesGarner
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) July 20, 2014
RIP, James Garner.
— Jeri Ryan (@JeriLRyan) July 20, 2014
Sending thoughts and prayers to the family of James Garner this morning.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 20, 2014
Glad I finally got to meet you last year, RIP James Garner. you'll be dearly missed pic.twitter.com/SEvkYXnOJp
— 50's & 60's (@50sAnd60s) July 20, 2014
Here Garner discusses his craft, Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando, Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson:
Image Wikimedia Commons