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James Garner, actor

Updated Oct 17, 2024
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James Garner, actor
A photo of James Scott Bumgarner (James Garner) born April 7, 1928, taken in the 1950's. He was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the youngest of 3 boys. His mother died when he was 5 and he and his brothers went to live with relatives until his father remarried. His relationship with his step-mother was rocky at best, and her actions led to a divorce by his father.

He joined the Army during the Korean War and won a Purple Heart during that conflict. After the war, he turned to acting, legally changing his name to "Garner".

He is probably best known to Baby Boomers as Bret Maverick on "Maverick" and Jim Rockford in "The Rockford Files". My favorite movie role of his was in "Support Your Local Gunfighter" - he was good looking and funny!

James Garner died on July 19, 2014 in Brentwood Hollywood of natural causes. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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This weekend we lost James Scott Bumgarner, aka James Garner. Perhaps best remembered as Bret Maverick on Maverick and Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files, he will be missed.
Photo of Lynne Kennedy Powell Lynne Kennedy Powell
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07/21/2014
Such a handsome, classy guy. Loved him. R.I.P. Jimbo!
Photo of Rachael Rawson Rachael Rawson
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07/21/2014
So handsome!
Photo of Millicent Yvette Curtis Millicent Yvette Curtis
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07/21/2014
Handsome man.
Photo of MaryBeth Keough Asenjo MaryBeth Keough Asenjo
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07/21/2014
Great actor. RIP
Photo of Marco Peres Marco Peres
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07/21/2014
Very Talented, very handsome.
He was always handsome & he was such a gentle man. He was married to Lois all their adult lives. I wish they had made a lot of copies of him. I will miss him dearly.
Photo of Tina Cox Tina Cox
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07/21/2014
He was so handsome!
Photo of Janet Gooden Janet Gooden
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07/21/2014
Awww R.I.P
Photo of Kayla Cook-Cossey Kayla Cook-Cossey
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07/21/2014
Loved him!
Photo of Kathy Alley Switzer Kathy Alley Switzer
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07/21/2014
One of my favorites...RIP...
Photo of Cheryl Riggi Cheryl Riggi
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07/21/2014
one of my favorites
Photo of Ann Petrone Smith Ann Petrone Smith
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07/21/2014
Photo of Toni Gonzales Toni Gonzales
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07/21/2014
Loved his movies
Photo of Susan Newman Susan Newman
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07/21/2014
A real gentleman!
Photo of Anita Barfield Anita Barfield
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07/21/2014
In my book, he was one of a kind! The very best! So sad he is gone!
Photo of Kathy Delp Kathy Delp
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07/21/2014
I don't know much of his younger acting, but he will always stand out for me in The Notebook!!! :) ♡
Photo of Sheila Mitchell Parochka Sheila Mitchell Parochka
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07/21/2014
my earliest onscreen crush. Loved and admired him
Photo of Jennifer Gibson Jennifer Gibson
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07/21/2014
Jinx Gato Loco this almost looks like your cowboy hat pic! ;)
Photo of Deb Accetta Deb Accetta
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07/21/2014
Such a handsome, talented man! A fav of mine. He will be missed.
Photo of Kris Clayton Kris Clayton
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07/21/2014
What a handsome guy♡♥♥♥
Photo of Pam Mitchell Pam Mitchell
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07/21/2014
Such a handsome man!
Don't forget The Great Escape!
Photo of Sherry Flowers Murkland Sherry Flowers Murkland
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07/21/2014
So handsome! Reminds me of my dad! One of my favorite actors.... Rest in Peace. James....
Photo of Cathey Watkins Cathey Watkins
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07/21/2014
Will miss him. Such a handsome man. Enjoyed his movies. Will truly be missed. We're losing alot of actors we grew up with. Don't make them like that anymore!!
Photo of Marja Naff Tri Marja Naff Tri
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07/21/2014
Prayers sent for his family and friends. He was a great actor.
Photo of Annaka Logan Annaka Logan
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07/21/2014
Loved his shows. Always soooooo goodlooking!
Photo of Jennifer Gibson Jennifer Gibson
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07/21/2014
Jinx Gato Loco it's pretty scary...you guys are even almost wearing the same shirt!
Photo of Judi Trimble Judi Trimble
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07/21/2014
RIP
Photo of Lottie Braun Lottie Braun
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07/21/2014
Great actor and a very handsome man.
Photo of Carmie Womack Carmie Womack
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07/21/2014
So danged good looking....RIP. Mr. Bret Maverick...love you...!!!
He was kin to me, my grandmother was a Garner. James' grandmother was a Garner.
Interesting. Do you know how he fits into the family tree?
Photo of Rollynne Speer Rollynne Speer
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07/21/2014
He will be missed
Photo of Shirley Prothro Shirley Prothro
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07/21/2014
One of our favorites@
Photo of Evonne Accristo Evonne Accristo
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07/21/2014
He was wonderful.
Photo of Rebecca A Brown Rebecca A Brown
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07/21/2014
Will miss you-- another good Okie gone.
Photo of Pam Davis Maurer Pam Davis Maurer
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07/21/2014
I remember having such a huge crush on him when I was growing up...I adored and admired James Garner up to the very end. He was truly a gem of a Man. ♥
Photo of Ellen Hart Ellen Hart
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07/21/2014
He was such a special man, never tire of watching him, he has left us a bounty of his work than goodness...missed already .
Photo of Marsha Jean Berry Marsha Jean Berry
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07/21/2014
RIP a great actor
Photo of Rita Ann Farone Gaebelein Rita Ann Farone Gaebelein
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07/21/2014
💔
Photo of Louri Lee Rorrer Stiemsma Louri Lee Rorrer Stiemsma
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07/21/2014
R.I.P.....
Photo of Ken Flippo Ken Flippo
via Facebook
07/21/2014
I always wanted to buy him a beer.
Photo of Roberta Badger Ammons Wells Roberta Badger Ammons Wells
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07/21/2014
Wonderful!
Photo of Marcia Herron Marcia Herron
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Loved him in Victor/Victoria 🎭😘
Photo of Dorothy White Rader Dorothy White Rader
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07/21/2014
Another great personality has gone to Heaven.
Photo of Alma Bowser Alma Bowser
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07/21/2014
Loved the show. RIP
Photo of Kathy Krone Deaton Kathy Krone Deaton
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07/21/2014
RIP. Well loved n remembered
Photo of Rosa De La Quintana Montes De Oca Rosa De La Quintana Montes De Oca
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07/21/2014
talentoso artista¡¡¡¡¡¡
Photo of Colleen Bugajski Hourihan Colleen Bugajski Hourihan
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07/21/2014
Enjoyed all his work throughout the years
Photo of Charlene Feiner Charlene Feiner
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07/21/2014
James Garner was a devilishly good actor
Photo of Lynn Knockel Lynn Knockel
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Rip good looking
Photo of Susan Boone Elijah Susan Boone Elijah
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07/21/2014
RIP. Great actor.
Photo of Elizabeth Sam Reed Elizabeth Sam Reed
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Married to the same woman for 60 years, now that's a man!
Photo of Ruth Boyd Parent Ruth Boyd Parent
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Oh no I adored him! R.I.P.
Photo of Caryl Kidd-Osborn Caryl Kidd-Osborn
via Facebook
07/21/2014
So handsome!
and funny! don't forget funny . . . I loved the combination of good looks and gentle humor
Who doesn't? :D
Photo of Denita Lynn Arnold Denita Lynn Arnold
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07/21/2014
Loved him on Maverick
Photo of Karen Floyd Karen Floyd
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07/21/2014
RIP mate
Photo of Connie Martin Connie Martin
via Facebook
07/21/2014
He was so good looking!!!
Photo of Shirley Mcmurtray Shirley Mcmurtray
via Facebook
07/21/2014
AND ALSO A PURPLEHEART
Photo of Erin O'Keefe Erin O'Keefe
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Why don't men have jaw lines like that anymore?
Photo of Judy Williams Judy Williams
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Yes, a real American Hottie. R.I.P. Maverick, happy trails
Photo of Linda Haydell Linda Haydell
via Facebook
07/21/2014
We are losing all of our great actors. I grew up watching him on TV and movies,especially with Doris Day in them. RIP to a fine man and a wonderful actor, Godspeed sir.
Photo of Donna May Laidlaw-Newman Donna May Laidlaw-Newman
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Sure loved this man. Was one of my favorites. RIP
Photo of Diane F. Smith Diane F. Smith
via Facebook
07/21/2014
:-(
Photo of Darlene Reinthaler Darlene Reinthaler
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Drop dead gorgeous
Photo of Vicki Cooper Vicki Cooper
via Facebook
07/21/2014
RIP xx
Photo of Kelly Coggeshall Kelly Coggeshall
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Gorgeous man. Nice fella too.
Photo of Jo Opheim Jo Opheim
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Yes, he will indeed be missed.
Photo of Mary Davis Mary Davis
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Now wonder he changed is last name
Photo of Dave Kenny Dave Kenny
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07/21/2014
One of Hollywood's hottest and most decent.
Photo of Betty LaMont Betty LaMont
via Facebook
07/21/2014
❤😰💙
Photo of Gloria Haley Gloria Haley
via Facebook
07/21/2014
very handsome man
Photo of Nancy Weaver Nancy Weaver
via Facebook
07/21/2014
A terrific actor and handsome one too. Loved all his movies. Will miss him.
Photo of Thomas Breen Thomas Breen
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Rip Rockfish
Photo of Joni Curry Joni Curry
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Yes he will be missed. :(
Photo of Andrea Smith Andrea Smith
via Facebook
07/21/2014
He certainly will be missed what lovely man with great talent
Photo of David O'Neal David O'Neal
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Rest in peace Mr. Garner
Photo of Jackie Lingle Jackie Lingle
via Facebook
07/21/2014
James Garner will be missed. A great actor
Photo of Nicole Kruzan Nicole Kruzan
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Rest in peace James!
Photo of Iva A. Green Iva A. Green
via Facebook
07/21/2014
RIP went to school in Norman Oklahoma with my parents. Out lived them both.
Photo of Cheryl Lynn Halstead Cheryl Lynn Halstead
via Facebook
07/21/2014
Photo of Tish Ninnis Machtolf Tish Ninnis Machtolf
via Facebook
07/22/2014
He'll be missed, he was one of the good ones!
Photo of Rosa De Santis Rosa De Santis
via Facebook
07/22/2014
The notebook!!!!
Photo of Don Schultz Don Schultz
via Facebook
07/22/2014
Photo of Angela Matthew Angela Matthew
via Facebook
07/22/2014
Loved him one of my favorite's
Photo of Al Turner Al Turner
via Facebook
07/22/2014
Thanks for a lifetime of entertainment.
Photo of Vicki Thomas Vicki Thomas
via Facebook
07/22/2014
Super actor.. RIP
Photo of Christiane Gezer Christiane Gezer
via Facebook
07/22/2014
Oh. Very sad. R.I.P.
Photo of Maureen LeSuer Maureen LeSuer
via Facebook
07/22/2014
Loved him in everything he did. A great talented real man.
Photo of Robin Holly Tillery Robin Holly Tillery
via Facebook
07/22/2014
A man of a different era.....classy. Loved this fine, gentle man.
One of my favorites, he will be missed!
Photo of Beverly Butterworth Beverly Butterworth
via Facebook
07/22/2014
He will be missed God bless and keep hi mate safe.
Photo of Jeanette Lane Jeanette Lane
via Facebook
07/22/2014
R I P
Photo of Tina Jones Tina Jones
via Facebook
07/22/2014
I loved to watch him, he was so talented. I'm going to have to watch Murphy's Romance again, what a great movie!
Photo of Stacey Dekam Stacey Dekam
via Facebook
07/23/2014
ooo lala
Photo of Roelina Tuinstra Roelina Tuinstra
via Facebook
07/23/2014
@ The Notebook..My Favorite!!!!!!!!!!!
Photo of Elma Palma Elma Palma
via Facebook
07/23/2014
Handsome guy.. He is a good actor..
Photo of Barbara Kolodziejski Barbara Kolodziejski
via Facebook
07/23/2014
❤️💔❤️
How do you delete photos? There are photos of myself on here that I would rather not be public, is there a way to delete?
Georgia, Write [contact link] with a list of the URLs of the photos if you uploaded them. If someone else uploaded photos of you, you should contact them and have the write [contact link] with a list of the URLs.
Photo of Judy A. Kitcho Cover Judy A. Kitcho Cover
via Facebook
07/23/2014
Just loved him!!!
Photo of Christine Rice Harris Christine Rice Harris
via Facebook
07/23/2014
Rip James you will live forever in reruns.
Photo of BobKat A Wall Bumgardner BobKat A Wall Bumgardner
via Facebook
07/23/2014
Hey Cuz !! ;)
RIP James Garner , A favorite actor . If he really had a Garner line i would be Very interested as i have one in my tree .
Brett Maverick in Maverick one of my favourite shows, never missed an episode
Photo of Lucy Dillon Lucy Dillon
via Facebook
07/24/2014
Always one of my favorite actors
He was such a talented individual
As a kid in the early 1960s was when I first got to know James Garner via the tv series Maverick and I always consider myself a fan of his. Alan R. Leake
Photo of Randall Voss Randall Voss
via Facebook
07/24/2014
I liked a lot of his acting!
Photo of Marie Pulliam Marie Pulliam
via Facebook
07/24/2014
Handsome man
Photo of Roxanne Loper Roxanne Loper
via Facebook
07/30/2014
He was great
I guess so, how old did he become?
Photo of Bunny Thomas-Newhouse Bunny Thomas-Newhouse
via Facebook
07/31/2014
What a Great Guy!~! R.I.P.
Photo of Terry Bowman Lloyd Terry Bowman Lloyd
via Facebook
08/01/2014
Handsome!
Photo of Marlene Wilson Marlene Wilson
via Facebook
08/02/2014
good actor.
He'll be missed..RIP James
Photo of Lucy Smalley Lucy Smalley
via Facebook
08/05/2014
He was always the ultimate gentleman
Photo of Ruth Mueller Ruth Mueller
via Facebook
08/06/2014
Was my mother's favorite after. Clark Gable!
Photo of Melissa Redman Melissa Redman
via Facebook
08/07/2014
he was so handsome I love him
Photo of Ann Bone Ann Bone
via Facebook
04/27/2016
M
Photo of Brin Ash Brin Ash
via Facebook
09/28/2017
Always had a crush on him. xox
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James Scott Garner
James Scott Bumgarner was born on April 7, 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma United States to Weldon Warren Bumgarner and Mildred Scott (Meek) Bumgarner, and had siblings Jack Garner and Charles Warren Bumgarner. He married Lois Clarke on August 7, 1956, and they were married until James' death on July 19, 2014. James Bumgarner had children Kimberly Garner and Gigi Garner. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember James Scott Garner.
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