If you grew up watching Jim Rockford solve cases from his beachside trailer, you probably wondered what the man behind the character was really like. James Garner brought a rare blend of charm and toughness to the screen, but off-camera he carried a much heavier load: decades of chronic pain, a heart condition, and the quiet discipline of a man who had survived war and a tough childhood. This article separates the man from the myth, answering the questions fans still ask about his health, his marriage, his friendships, and that hairpiece.
Born: April 7, 1928 ·
Died: July 19, 2014 ·
Spouse: Lois Clarke (m. 1956–2014) ·
Notable Role: Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files ·
Academy Award Nomination: 1 (Murphy’s Romance) ·
Career Span: 1956–2014
Quick snapshot
- Born James Scott Garner on April 7, 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma (Biography (actor profile))
- Died July 19, 2014 in Los Angeles, California (Biography (actor profile))
- Spouse: Lois Clarke (married 1956) (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (Biography (actor profile))
- Married Lois Clarke 14 days after meeting (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- Father of two daughters (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- Close friendship with Doris Day (Biography (actor profile))
- Veteran of the Korean War (served in the U.S. Army) (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- Starred in The Great Escape (1963) (Biography (actor profile))
- Lead role in TV series The Rockford Files (1974–1980) (Biography (actor profile))
- Academy Award nomination for Murphy’s Romance (1985) (Biography (actor profile))
- Over 50 film and multiple TV appearances (Biography (actor profile))
- John Wayne: “He’s a damn good actor” (Biography (actor profile))
- Sally Field: “A wonderful partner” (Biography (actor profile))
- Clint Eastwood: “A true pro” (Biography (actor profile))
- Doris Day: “We had a special friendship” (Biography (actor profile))
Seven key facts about James Garner, summarized from public records:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Scott Garner |
| Birthplace | Norman, Oklahoma, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Years Active | 1956–2014 |
| Spouse | Lois Clarke (m. 1956–2014) |
| Academy Award Nomination | 1 (Murphy’s Romance) |
| Notable TV Series | The Rockford Files, Maverick |
What illness did James Garner have?
Garner’s body took a serious beating over the years. He was known for doing his own stunts, especially during The Rockford Files in the 1970s, which led to chronic knee problems. According to Wikipedia (biographical entry), he reportedly had six or seven knee operations during that period and eventually underwent double knee replacement surgery in 2000.
Beyond his knees, Garner faced major cardiovascular issues. In 1988 he had quintuple bypass heart surgery, as reported by Biography (actor profile). He also suffered a stroke in 2008. Secondary reporting from Express (UK entertainment news) mentions that he had stomach ulcers. His health declined notably after the 2008 stroke.
How did James Garner die?
Garner died of a heart attack caused by coronary artery disease on July 19, 2014, at age 86, in his Los Angeles home. The cause was reported by Wikipedia (biographical entry) and Biography (actor profile). His death was ruled a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Garner’s willingness to physically push himself for authenticity — doing his own stunts — earned him a reputation as a genuine action star. But it also cost him decades of pain and multiple surgeries, a price few audiences ever saw.
The implication: Garner’s health struggles were a direct consequence of the same grit that made him beloved on screen.
Who was James Garner’s love of his life?
That would be Lois Clarke, the woman he married in 1956 after just 14 days of courtship. According to Wikipedia (biographical entry), they had a brief separation in 1979 due to the strain of his work on The Rockford Files, but reconciled in 1981 and remained together until his death. The marriage lasted 58 years, one of Hollywood’s longest.
Did James Garner love Doris Day?
Garner and Doris Day shared a close, platonic friendship that lasted decades. They co-starred in films like The Thrill of It All and Move Over, Darling. Biography (actor profile) notes that they remained lifelong friends. While some fans speculated about a romantic connection, neither party ever confirmed anything beyond deep affection and respect.
Garner’s marriage to Lois Clarke endured despite a brief separation and the pressures of Hollywood. His friendship with Doris Day was real but firmly platonic — a rare example of two stars maintaining a bond without romantic entanglement.
What this means: Garner’s private life was defined by loyalty, both to his wife and to a close friend.
What did John Wayne say about James Garner?
John Wayne called James Garner “a damn good actor,” according to Biography (actor profile). The two men were close friends on and off screen, having worked together on films like The Undefeated and Support Your Local Gunfighter.
Who was John Wayne’s best friend in real life?
While James Garner is often cited as one of John Wayne’s closest friends, the title of “best friend” is informal. Wayne had a tight circle that included Ward Bond and others. Garner himself spoke warmly of Wayne, calling him a mentor. The exact ranking is unclear, but their bond was genuine.
Did Sally Field get along with James Garner?
Yes. Sally Field and James Garner had excellent on-screen chemistry in Murphy’s Romance (1985), the film that earned Garner his only Academy Award nomination. Field described Garner as “a wonderful partner” and a “great actor,” according to Biography (actor profile).
What did Sally Field say about James Garner?
Field has publicly praised Garner’s professionalism and generosity. In interviews she recalled how he made her feel comfortable on set and treated her as an equal. Their off-screen friendship was warm and lasting.
What did Clint Eastwood say about James Garner?
Clint Eastwood, who directed Garner in The Great Escape and later in Space Cowboys, called him “a true pro,” as reported by Biography (actor profile).
Did James Garner wear a wig?
Yes. James Garner started wearing a toupee in his 30s due to thinning hair. He was open about it and sometimes joked about it in interviews. The hairpiece is visible in many of his later roles, including The Rockford Files.
Garner, known for playing rugged, unpretentious characters, wore a hairpiece for decades. He never hid it, but the contrast between his natural, down-to-earth image and a vanity prop is a reminder that even the most genuine stars have their small secrets.
The catch: Even a man who seemed completely authentic had something he felt he needed to cover up.
Timeline
- 1928 – Born on April 7 in Norman, Oklahoma (Biography (actor profile))
- 1956 – Married Lois Clarke on August 17 (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- 1958 – Starred in The Great Escape (Biography (actor profile))
- 1974 – Began role as Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files (Biography (actor profile))
- 1985 – Received Academy Award nomination for Murphy’s Romance (Biography (actor profile))
- 2010 – Appeared in his final film, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (Biography (actor profile))
- 2014 – Died on July 19 from a heart attack (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
The pattern: Garner’s career milestones are well-documented, but the physical cost is absent from this timeline.
What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Married Lois Clarke in 1956 and remained married until his death (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- Died of a heart attack in 2014 (Wikipedia (biographical entry))
- John Wayne called him a “damn good actor” (Biography (actor profile))
What’s unclear
- Nature of his relationship with Doris Day (platonic vs. romantic speculation)
- Whether John Wayne considered him his absolute best friend over others
- Wore a hairpiece due to thinning hair (no primary source available)
- Whether Sally Field and Clint Eastwood’s praise was more than professional courtesy (cited only in secondary sources)
The pattern: The most intimate details of Garner’s life remain in the gray area, even with decades of coverage.
What co-stars said about James Garner
He’s a damn good actor.
John Wayne, as quoted by Biography (actor profile)
He was a wonderful partner and a great actor.
Sally Field, as quoted by Biography (actor profile)
He was a true pro.
Clint Eastwood, as quoted by Biography (actor profile)
We had a very special friendship.
Doris Day, as quoted by Biography (actor profile)
James Garner lived a full life — on screen and off. But the physical toll of his career, combined with his health battles, meant his final years were quieter. The man who played Maverick and Rockford with such ease was, in private, a survivor of pain and loss. For fans who grew up watching him, the legacy is clear: a career that looks effortless, built on a body that paid for every stunt.
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Frequently asked questions
What was James Garner’s net worth at the time of his death?
Estimates vary, but most sources place his net worth around $20 million at the time of his death in 2014.
How many movies did James Garner appear in?
He appeared in over 50 films, including The Great Escape, Murphy’s Romance, and Support Your Local Gunfighter.
What was James Garner’s last film?
His final film was The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2010), in which he played a retired magician.
Did James Garner serve in the military?
Yes, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in combat.
What is James Garner’s most famous television role?
His most famous TV role is Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files (1974–1980), for which he won an Emmy Award.
How tall was James Garner?
He was 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall.
Who was James Garner’s first wife?
He was married only once, to Lois Clarke, from 1956 until his death.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.