James Garner built a career on likability and understated skill, trading barbs with John Wayne one day and delivering a tender romance with Sally Field the next. He earned an Oscar nomination for Murphy’s Romance along the way, and his legacy of charm and professionalism endures.
Born: April 7, 1928, Norman, Oklahoma ·
Died: July 19, 2014, Los Angeles, California (age 86) ·
Spouse: Lois Clarke (m. 1956–2014) ·
Notable TV Series: Maverick, The Rockford Files ·
Academy Award Nomination: Best Actor for Murphy’s Romance (1985)
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth at death varies — some sources say $20 million, one claims $80 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
- John Wayne’s exact quote wording is not universally agreed upon (IMDb quotes)
- 1957–1962: Starred as Bret Maverick on ABC (Wikipedia)
- 1974–1980: The Rockford Files won him an Emmy (Movie Star History)
- 1985: Oscar nomination for Murphy’s Romance (Movie Star History)
- His legacy lives on through reruns, streaming, and continued admiration from co-stars (Newsweek)
Six key facts that frame James Garner’s life and career:
| Full Name | James Scott Garner (né Bumgarner) |
| Birth | April 7, 1928, Norman, Oklahoma, USA |
| Death | July 19, 2014, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Spouse | Lois Clarke (m. 1956–2014) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Greta) |
| Years Active | 1954–2013 |
What illness did James Garner have?
James Garner had a long history of heart disease. He underwent coronary bypass surgery in 1988, as noted by Wikipedia. His heart problems remained a concern for decades.
What caused James Garner’s death?
Garner died of a heart attack at his home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on July 19, 2014. He was 86. Newsweek reported that his death was from natural causes. The Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed the cause as a heart attack.
Garner kept working long after his bypass surgery, appearing in films like The Notebook (2004) and Space Cowboys (2000). His heart condition never stopped him from taking roles, but it ultimately cut short a career that spanned nearly six decades.
The implication: Garner’s health struggle was private and largely hidden from fans. He rarely discussed his surgeries, preferring to let his work speak for itself.
Who was the love of James Garner’s life?
Lois Clarke was the love of James Garner’s life. They married on August 17, 1956 — just 14 days after meeting at a dinner party, according to Movie Star History. The couple remained together until Garner’s death in 2014, a span of 58 years.
Is James Garner’s wife Lois still alive?
Lois Clarke died on September 21, 2014, just two months after James. She was 87. Her death was reported by multiple outlets, including Newsweek.
How long were James Garner and Lois Clarke married?
They were married for nearly 58 years, from August 17, 1956 until Garner’s death on July 19, 2014.
Garner once said he didn’t believe in long engagements because “the longer you wait, the more you talk yourself out of it.” That impulsiveness paid off: their marriage was one of the most stable in Hollywood.
In an industry where relationships often crumble under the spotlight, Garner and Clarke’s union stood out. It wasn’t just a marriage — it was a partnership that gave Garner the grounding he needed to navigate fame.
The pattern: Garner’s personal life was the opposite of his characters’ bachelor lifestyles. While Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford were lone wolves, Garner himself was deeply domestic.
What did John Wayne say about James Garner?
John Wayne, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, spoke highly of Garner. In multiple biographies, Wayne is quoted as calling Garner a “damn good actor” and a “nice guy” — high praise from an icon who didn’t hand out compliments lightly. The exact wording varies by source, but the sentiment is consistent.
What did Clint Eastwood say about James Garner?
Clint Eastwood paid tribute to Garner after his death, calling him “one of the most talented and underrated actors of our time,” according to IMDb. Eastwood and Garner never shared the screen, but Eastwood admired Garner’s range and professionalism.
What did Sally Field say about James Garner?
Sally Field co-starred with Garner in Murphy’s Romance (1985) and they became close friends. Field said Garner was “a dear friend and the love of my professional life” in a statement following his death, as reported by Newsweek. Their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life bond that lasted three decades.
Did Sally Field get along with James Garner?
Absolutely. Field and Garner shared a warm, playful rapport. She later described him as “the easiest, most giving actor I ever worked with.” The respect was mutual: Garner called Field “a real pro” and one of his favorite co-stars.
The catch: While Wayne, Eastwood, and Field all praised Garner, he never sought to be a leading man in the traditional sense. He preferred supporting roles that let him do the work without the ego.
What movies and TV shows did James Garner appear in?
Garner’s filmography is extensive — over 50 films and multiple TV series. His television breakthrough came as Bret Maverick in Maverick (1957–1962), which made him a household name. He later defined the private-eye genre with The Rockford Files (1974–1980), winning an Emmy for the role.
- Key films: The Great Escape (1963), Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969), Murphy’s Romance (1985, Oscar nomination), Space Cowboys (2000), The Notebook (2004). All confirmed by Newsweek.
- TV work: 8 Simple Rules (2003–2005), where he replaced John Ritter. Also guest appearances on The Simpsons and The Streets of San Francisco.
Who was James Garner’s favorite actress to work with?
Garner frequently mentioned Sally Field as his favorite actress to work with. He also had high praise for Julie Andrews (Victor/Victoria) and Mariette Hartley (Rockford Files guest star). But Field was his clear number one.
The trade-off: Garner was so beloved as a co-star that directors often warned rising actors not to be star-struck — because Garner would charm them into forgetting the cameras were rolling.
What was James Garner’s net worth?
At the time of his death, James Garner’s net worth was estimated at $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He earned much of that from television residuals, particularly from The Rockford Files and Maverick. BreatheCast also repeats the $20 million figure.
A conflicting source, Explore St. Augustine, estimated his net worth at $80 million — but that figure is not widely corroborated and appears to be an outlier.
Net worth figures for deceased celebrities are notoriously unreliable. The $20 million estimate is repeated by multiple tier-two and tier-three sources, while the $80 million claim comes from a single site with no clear methodology. Treat both with caution.
What this means: Garner was comfortably wealthy but not extravagantly so. He invested wisely in real estate and lived modestly, preferring to spend time with family rather than jet-setting.
Timeline: Key dates in James Garner’s life
- April 7, 1928 — Born in Norman, Oklahoma
- 1950–1952 — Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (Newsweek)
- 1954 — Moved to Los Angeles and began acting
- 1956 — Married Lois Clarke; cast in Broadway play The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
- 1957–1962 — Starred as Bret Maverick in ABC’s Maverick
- 1963 — Appeared in The Great Escape with Steve McQueen
- 1974–1980 — Starred in NBC’s The Rockford Files, winning an Emmy
- 1985 — Oscar nomination for Murphy’s Romance
- 1988 — Underwent coronary bypass surgery
- July 19, 2014 — Died of a heart attack at home in Los Angeles
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still debated
Confirmed facts
- James Garner died of a heart attack on July 19, 2014 (Newsweek)
- His wife Lois Clarke died on September 21, 2014 (Newsweek)
- He was married to Lois Clarke for 58 years (Movie Star History)
- He served in the Korean War and earned two Purple Hearts (Newsweek)
- He won an Emmy for The Rockford Files (Movie Star History)
What remains unclear
- Exact net worth at death — estimates range from $10 million to $80 million (Celebrity Net Worth vs. Explore St. Augustine)
- Whether John Wayne’s exact quote was “damn good actor” or something similar — multiple variations exist (IMDb)
What Hollywood peers said: quotes that define his legacy
“A damn good actor and a nice guy.”
— John Wayne, quoted in biographies
“One of the most talented and underrated actors of our time.”
— Clint Eastwood, 2014 tribute
“A dear friend and the love of my professional life.”
— Sally Field, statement after Garner’s death
“I never liked watching myself on screen. I just try to tell the truth, hit my marks, and be on time.”
— James Garner, quoted on Movie Star History
For the next generation of actors looking at Garner’s career, the lesson is clear: you can be a movie star without being a diva. Garner proved that consistent, reliable work — paired with genuine kindness — earns a legacy that outlasts any box office record.
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Frequently asked questions
Did James Garner have any children?
He had one biological daughter, Greta Garner, and one stepdaughter, Kimberly, from Lois’s previous marriage.
What was James Garner’s first major TV show?
His first major TV show was Maverick, which ran from 1957 to 1962.
Was James Garner in the military?
Yes, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and earned two Purple Hearts.
What awards did James Garner win?
He won a Primetime Emmy Award for The Rockford Files and received an Academy Award nomination for Murphy’s Romance.
Who did James Garner co-star with in The Great Escape?
He co-starred with Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, and Charles Bronson, among others.
How many films did James Garner make?
He appeared in over 50 films across his career, from 1956 to 2013.
Did James Garner ever win an Oscar?
No, he was nominated once (for Murphy’s Romance) but never won the Academy Award.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.