Actor James Garner has passed away at the age of 86. The actor was most well known for his roles in Maverick, The Rockford Files and more recently The Notebook.
The actor would win an Emmy for his role as the L.A. private eye on The Rockford Files and continued to be in films and television over his incredible career.
The actor was found dead Saturday at his home in Brentwood, LA. Garner had suffered a stroke in 2008 and had known heart troubles previously, but the reason for his death is currently unknown.
During his 50-year career, Garner had achieved more than 80 movie and TV-movie credits and would later be nominated for an Academy Award for his role as a small-town pharmacist in Murphy’s Romance.
He was seen as a brilliant “dry comedian” who had the ability to make women adore him and men want to be him all in the same scene. Director Robert Altman said once of the actor, “I have long thought that James Garner was one of the best actors around.”
“He is often overlooked because he makes it look so easy and that is not easy to do,” said Altman. “I don’t know anyone in the business with his charm and charisma who can act so well.”
We agree that Garner was a brilliant actor, and while he may have been a bit before most of our readers’ time – he was a force to be reckoned with.
Most of us may know James Garner as the older Noah in The Notebook, where he read to his wife (Allie) who was battling with dementia as he attempted to bring her memory back. “She remembers doc, she remembers…” he would say in the film.
We’ll certainly remember James Garner for his great work and even greater personality. We send all of our best wishes to Garner’s family and will think of him as we continue to watch his great body of work.
James Garner’s other films include: The Children’s Hour, The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily, The Thrill of It All, Move Over, Darling, Grand Prix, Support Your Local Sheriff, Marlowe, Victor/Victoria, Space Cowboys and The Notebook.