Obituaries

[SiamSam]

James Garner dead at 86

 

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Few actors could register disbelief, exasperation or annoyance with more comic subtlety.

James Garner had a way of widening his eyes while the corner of his mouth sagged ever so slightly. Maybe he would swallow once to further make his point.

This portrait of fleeting disquiet could be understood, and identified with, by every member of the audience. Never mind Garner was tall, brawny and, well, movie-star handsome. The persona he perfected was never less than manly, good with his dukes and charming to the ladies, but his heroics were kept human-scale thanks to his gift for the comic turn. He remained one of the people.

He burst on the scene with this disarming style in the 1950s TV Western "Maverick," which led to a stellar career in TV and films such as "The Rockford Files" and his Oscar-nominated "Murphy's Romance."

The 86-year-old Garner, who was found dead of natural causes at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, was adept at drama and action. But he was best known for his low-key, wisecracking style, especially on his hit TV series, "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files."

His quick-witted avoidance of conflict offered a refreshing new take on the American hero, contrasting with the blunt toughness of John Wayne and the laconic trigger-happiness of Clint Eastwood.

There's no better display of Garner's everyman majesty than the NBC series "The Rockford Files" (1974-80). He played an L.A. private eye and wrongly jailed ex-con who seemed to rarely get paid, or even get thanks, for the cases he took, while helplessly getting drawn into trouble to help someone who was neither a client nor maybe even a friend. He lived in a trailer with an answering machine that, in the show's opening titles, always took a message that had nothing to do with a paying job, but more often was a complaining call from a cranky creditor.

Through it all, Jim Rockford, however down on his luck, persevered hopefully. He wore the veneer of a cynic, but led with his heart. Putting all that on screen was Garner's magic.

Well into his 70s, the handsome Oklahoman remained active in both TV and film. In 2002, he was Sandra Bullock's father in the film "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." The following year, he joined the cast of "8 Simple Rules ... For Dating My Teenage Daughter," playing the grandfather on the sitcom — and helping ground it with his reassuring presence — after star John Ritter, who played the father, died during the show's second season.

He even scored in commercials. During the late 1970s, he was paired with actress Mariette Hartley in a popular series of ads for Polaroid cameras. Their on-screen banter felt so authentic that many viewers mistakenly believed they were husband and wife.

When Garner received the Screen Actors Guild's lifetime achievement award in 2005, he quipped, "I'm not at all sure how I got here." But in his 2011 memoir, "The Garner Files," he provided some amusing and enlightening clues, including his penchant for bluntly expressed opinions and a practice for decking people who said something nasty to his face — including an obnoxious fan and an abusive stepmother.

And when he suspected his studio of cheating him on residual payments — a not-unheard-of condition in Hollywood — Garner spoke out loudly and fought back with lawsuits.

They all deserved it, Garner declared in his book.

It was in 1957 when the ABC network, desperate to compete on ratings-rich Sunday night, scheduled "Maverick" against CBS's powerhouse "The Ed Sullivan Show" and NBC's "The Steve Allen Show." To everyone's surprise — except Garner's— "Maverick" soon outpolled them both.

At a time when the networks were awash with hard-eyed, traditional Western heroes, Bret Maverick provided a breath of fresh air. With his sardonic tone and his eagerness to talk his way out of a squabble rather than pull out his six-shooter, the con-artist Westerner seemed to scoff at the genre's values.

After a couple of years, Garner felt the series was losing its creative edge, and he found a legal loophole to escape his contract in 1960.

His first film after "Maverick" established him as a movie actor. It was "The Children's Hour," William Wyler's remake of Lillian Hellman's lesbian drama that co-starred Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine.

He followed in a successful comedy with Kim Novak, "Boys Night Out," and then established his box-office appeal with the 1963 blockbuster war drama "The Great Escape" and two smash comedies with Doris Day — "The Thrill of It All" and "Move Over Darling."

Throughout his film career, Garner demonstrated his versatility in comedies ("The Art of Love," ''A Man Could Get Killed," ''Skin Game"), suspense ("36 Hours," ''They Only Kill Their Masters," ''Marlowe"), and Westerns ("Duel at Diablo," ''Hour of the Gun," ''Support Your Local Gunfighter").

In the 1980s and 1990s, when most stars his age were considered over the hill, Garner's career remained strong. He played a supporting role as a marshal in the 1994 "Maverick," a big-screen return to the TV series with Mel Gibson in Garner's old title role. His only Oscar nomination came for the 1985 "Murphy's Romance," a comedy about a small-town love relationship in which he co-starred with Sally Field.

He starred in a musical, "Victor/Victoria" (1982), and a romantic drama, "The Notebook" (2004).

His favourite film, though, was the cynical 1964 war drama "The Americanization of Emily," which co-starred Julie Andrews.

Unlike most film stars, Garner made repeated returns to television. The show he often cited as his favourite, "Nichols" (1971-72), and "Bret Maverick" (1981-82) were short-lived, but "The Rockford Files" proved a solid hit, bringing him an Emmy.

Among his notable TV movies: "Barbarians at the Gate" (as tycoon F. Ross Johnson), "Breathing Lessons," ''The Promise," ''My Name Is Bill W.," ''The Streets of Laredo" and "One Special Night."

He said he learned about acting while playing a non-speaking role as a Navy juror in the 1954 Broadway hit play "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial," starring Henry Fonda and Lloyd Nolan.

"I had no lines, and I had trouble staying awake," Garner recalled.

After "Caine Mutiny," Garner found work in Hollywood as a bit player in the "Cheyenne" TV series. Warner Bros. gave him a screen test and signed him to a seven-year contract starting at $200 a week.

The studio cast him in supporting roles in three minor films, followed by the important break as Marlon Brando's sidekick in "Sayonara." When Charlton Heston declined a war movie, "Darby's Rangers," because of a money dispute, Garner assumed the role.

"Maverick," which co-starred Jack Kelly as brother Bart Maverick, made its debut on Sept. 22, 1957, launching him as a star.

Garner was born James Scott Bumgarner (some references say Baumgarner) in Norman, Oklahoma. His mother died when he was 5, and friends and relatives cared for him and his two brothers for a time while his father was in California.

In 1957, Garner married TV actress Lois Clarke, who survives him. She had a daughter Kimberly from a previous marriage, and the Garners had another daughter, Gretta Scott.

In the late 1990s, the Garners built a 12,000-square-foot house on a 400-acre ranch north of Santa Barbara, California.

"My wife and I felt ... we'd just watch the sunset from the front porch," Garner said in 2000. "But then the phone started ringing with all these wonderful offers, and we decided, 'Heck, let's stay in the business for a while.'"

[JaiDee]

Rockford Files was a great show and he played one of my favorite roles in The Great Escape.  Great actor and seemed like a decent guy, R.I.P. Jim Rockford!  May you always have a gold camaro in heaven.

[SiamSam]

Jai Dee, Rockford Files was a terrific TV series for sure but Maverick is the role I think most people my age will remember Garner for. Perhaps you were too young to remember the series. 

[seven]

I watched Rockford files as a kid. Recently i saw a good rockband covering the theme song.

[duke007]

Watched the Rockford Files religiously as a kid myself and thought Jim Rockford was super cool

 

R.I.P. James

[Kahuna]

Jai Dee, Rockford Files was a terrific TV series for sure but Maverick is the role I think most people my age will remember Garner for. Perhaps you were too young to remember the series. 

 

Now Sam is a man who knows his TV...The Rockford Files was just another in a long line of private dick shows...But Maverick...That was special...The first of its kind...and I ain't certain that it was ever duplicated on the small screen...Never missed an episode in my house...I ain't certain Mr. Garner was a great actor, but he was pretty good one...Not afraid to laugh at himself or be laughed at and he did like fast cars...............RIP Mr. Garner...Thanks for all the great memories.......

[JaiDee]

I am sure I saw Maverick on re-runs but yes, I was a bit too young to see the originals; a quick google search tells me that show ended the year I was born!

[SiamSam]

Don't forget Steve McQueen in "Bounty Hunter".  Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford in "Rifleman". Then there was the wonderful "Rawhide" with a very young Clint Eastwood. And of course the classic "Bonanza" with Ben (Pa), Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe. All indelible TV. There was a string of Westerns made for TV in the late 50's and 60's including "Bat Masterson" and "Wyatt Earp". And who could ever forget "Have Gun Will Travel" with Richard Boone. Truly great television entertainment. 

[Hefe]

Whew Sam.... my other favorites when i was wearing my Hopalong Cassidy outfit with holster & hat: Hoppy of course, Gene Autry & Roy Rogers, Johnny Yuma was The Rebel, I remember the theme song for "Branded" vividly but nothing else.  Sugarfoot, Broken Arrow, Sargent Preston of the Yukon, Tombstone Territory,

And for me the big daddies of them all:  Davy Crockett & The Lone Ranger

[Hefe]

I don't remember much about Maverick but wasn't one of the conceits that there were 2 brothers, Bret & Bart, & the shows alternated each leading man? 

[Kahuna]

Don't forget Steve McQueen in "Bounty Hunter".  Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford in "Rifleman". Then there was the wonderful "Rawhide" with a very young Clint Eastwood. And of course the classic "Bonanza" with Ben (Pa), Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe. All indelible TV. There was a string of Westerns made for TV in the late 50's and 60's including "Bat Masterson" and "Wyatt Earp". And who could ever forget "Have Gun Will Travel" with Richard Boone. Truly great television entertainment. 

 

You forgot Gunsmoke with James Arness and company and The Rebel with Nick Adams...But I see now El Hefe has reminded us of The Rebel...along with some others........

 

But none of them were a combination of western action and comedy like Maverick was...As I recall the episodes with James Garner were the ones I always looked forward to...He made me laugh...To the best of my recollection that combination of action and comedy has never been captured again in a western TV program...To me it was truly something special...

[Luung]

The James Garner persona portrayed on film & television was one that I aspired to as a kid, he was a great man, a strong man... And above all else a constantly amusing man who never took himself seriously.

 

He'll be sorely missed

[Hoot]

I grew up on the Rockford Files.  Between that and Magnum P.I. I was sure I would be a Private Investigator when I grew up.  He was a guy's guy on screen.  He'll always be Jim Rockford to me.  One of his later roles in Space Cowboys, though destined for the bad movie thread, was one I also enjoyed.  An Icon of the silver screen who will be missed.

[SiamSam]

Whew Sam.... my other favorites when i was wearing my Hopalong Cassidy outfit with holster & hat: Hoppy of course, Gene Autry & Roy Rogers, Johnny Yuma was The Rebel, I remember the theme song for "Branded" vividly but nothing else.  Sugarfoot, Broken Arrow, Sargent Preston of the Yukon, Tombstone Territory,

And for me the big daddies of them all:  Davy Crockett & The Lone Ranger

 

Great list Hefe!!! I remember them all. I was a little lad watching Hopalong Cassidy on a grainy black and white TV. Wasn't his sidekick called Jingles?

[SiamSam]

You forgot Gunsmoke with James Arness and company and The Rebel with Nick Adams...But I see now El Hefe has reminded us of The Rebel...along with some others........

 

Yes indeed. I did forget the truly great "Gunsmoke". 

[pacman]

And who could ever forget "Have Gun Will Travel" with Richard Boone. Truly great television entertainment. 

 

OMG! Was there ever anyone on TV cooler than Paladin? I would beg to be allowed to stay up to watch it.

 

Whew Sam.... my other favorites when i was wearing my Hopalong Cassidy outfit with holster & hat: Hoppy of course, 

 

Oh fuck! I had the same outfit! I wore it till I was 25....   well I would have if I hadn't grown out of it...        

 

I don't remember much about Maverick but wasn't one of the conceits that there were 2 brothers, Bret & Bart, & the shows alternated each leading man? 

 

That's it. And wasn't it disappointing when it was Bart not Bret. Sometimes they were on together which was a real treat. And then all too soon the series ended. It was worse than a death in the family.

 

But none of them were a combination of western action and comedy like Maverick was...As I recall the episodes with James Garner were the ones I always looked forward to...He made me laugh...To the best of my recollection that combination of action and comedy has never been captured again in a western TV program...To me it was truly something special...

 

Maverick was truly, truly special. There has never been a leading man on TV who had what Bret Maverick had. He was witty & charming not just tough & macho. He would always prevail naturally but he did it with such style & pizazz, his banter was just a joy to follow with his pretend humility & sense of irony.

 

I never watched the Rockford Files, I figured if he could act in that he could go back & do what he did best - be Bret Maverick again.

[Guest sustra]

obituaries?????? keep'em far from me.....still alive......

[SiamSam]

Who would have known all of us cowboys lovers would grow up to be ladyboy lovers.  Life is indeed interesting. 

[duke007]

Who would have known all of us cowboys lovers would grow up to be ladyboy lovers. 

 

 Same thing when you think about it Sam

 

Ive often walked like John Wayne

[Hefe]

Not to hijack this thread but has anyone else heard those rumors about Duke enjoying occasional offscreen times with boys that he would meet at a particular bar? I know you hear this type of rumor about all famous actors at one time or another but there are a few old school Hollywood gay denizens left who swear it's true. 

[SiamSam]

Hahahaha!!! At first I thought you were talking about our very own Mr. Duke! I was wondering why you considered him going to a particular bar to meet boys as a rumour. Then it hit me. Funny.

[Hefe]

Oops, sorry duke, I am referring to "The Duke"

 

Roger Ebert writes, "imagine John Wayne in Red River, with a stirring beneath his chaps every time he looks at Montgomery Clift" 

Red River may be the first gay western, since it has the famous "Let me see yours" scene with the gay Clift and the bisexual John Ireland.

He first came to Hollywood as Marion Morrison, like many other young male actors, he started out modeling, mostly fitness / physique shots. He was soon "adopted" as a close young friend by John Ford who often took him out on his sailboat before fame hit, Ford has recently been confirmed to be bi by Maureen O'Hara one of the few female members to be a constant in Ford's professional & social circle.

Some trivia: he was a member of the football team Clara Bow supposedly fucked.

And I apologize in advance to all those I've outraged   

  

[ArchieBunker]

I grew up on the Rockford Files.  Between that and Magnum P.I. I was sure I would be a Private Investigator when I grew up.  He was a guy's guy on screen.  He'll always be Jim Rockford to me.  One of his later roles in Space Cowboys, though destined for the bad movie thread, was one I also enjoyed.  An Icon of the silver screen who will be missed.

 

Interesting that Tom Selleck got one of his first breaks on THE ROCKFORD FILES.  Just found a channel on my cable system that has on all the old shows-some real classic series.  Just watched a Rockford episode today.  This one had Robert Loggia in it.  He played a mob boss what else.  He has done pretty well throughout the years!!! Loved the charecter Angel.  Totally cracked me up!!!  Always wonder how Rockford ate since he never got paid/scored!!!

 

One guy who directed many episodes was a guy named Ivan Dixon.  You might have known him from his  role in Hogans Heroes as Sgt Kinchloe!!!  I dont think there were many black directors in Hollywood in the early 70s and I think that says a lot about the producers and James Garner....

[JaiDee]

One guy who directed many episodes was a guy named Ivan Dixon.  You might have known him from his  role in Hogans Heroes as Sgt Kinchloe!!!  I dont think there were many black directors in Hollywood in the early 70s and I think that says a lot about the producers and James Garner....

 

  Loved Ivan Dixon on that show, I always thought he was the 2nd best guy after Hogan.

[SiamSam]

Johnny Winter 

 

John Dawson Winter III (February 23, 1944 – July 16, 2014), known as Johnny Winter, was an American blues guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer. Best known for his high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances in the late 1960s and 1970s, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues singer and guitarist Muddy Waters. After his time with Waters, Winter recorded several Grammy-nominated blues albums. In 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and in 2003, he was ranked 63rd in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"