As women of a certain age, we have our favorite actors and a number of them are passing; one of mine was James Garner. He was handsome, witty and an excellent character and lead actor. He was so nuanced I think his performances were under appreciated at times. He played romantic leads (Murphy's Romance, The Americanization of Emily, The Notebook), con men (The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily), a hapless husband (The Thrill of It All, Move Over Darling) a hapless gangster (Victor, Victoria), comedy (Support Your Local Sheriff, his Doris Day films and more), race car driver (Grand Prix), all his western roles which began with the TV show "Maverick" and, for me, his most endearing turn as the reluctant private eye in "The Rockford Files".
There will be many accolades and remembrances. Here's a brief encapsulation of his career. The second to the last paragraph mentions his 12,000 sq ft home in northern Santa Barbara County. One of my friends was the builder. From what I understand, it's one heck of a homestead. But, of course, he was one heck of a man.
Clip from "Support Your Local Sheriff", a very funny film.
Clip from "Support Your Local Sheriff", a very funny film.
Siskel & Ebert's review of "Murphy's Romance". The visual resolution on YouTube is fuzzy but their review is spot on; a terrific, funny and very romantic film.
"The Americanization of Emily" was Garner's favorite film.
RIP James Garner
13 comments:
Blue skies, wonderful James Garner. Thanks for all this, I loved it. :-)
Aww... :( I loved every single movie and TV show he ever made. What a guy. Very sad.
DJan: a likable actor & so darn cute!
jayne, did you ever work with him? his ranch is near you...Santa Ynez. They probably sold it as the article I included (in a link) said they returned to LA because he kept working.
He'll be sorely missed. He always seemed to be enjoying himself in his lighter roles, and I think he was somewhat underrated as a serious actor.
I thought he was a cool cowboy in Maverick.
Foxy, he had a long career didn't he?
Bill, I was a little kid when "Maverick" was on TV but I remember it well. I liked both brothers, Bart & Bret. They were rascals. He played a great rascal. Should have used that adjective in my post.
So sad...
He was always one of my favorites. Such a great personality. Nice tribute.
Always one of my favourite actors. There was something about that smile.
Pat, I tried watching "The Thrill of It All" with Garner & Doris Day last night. It was so saccharine I couldn't get through it even though my memory of it was that it was funny. I was probably 14 when it came out & I always loved him. However, it's a product of its time. I did realize one thing watchinig it, Sally Field learned everything she knows in the way of expressions, how she tilts her head, and expressed exasperation from Doris Day.
Alan, he did have a terrific smile...and such nice teeth!
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