---
name: "James Garner"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-garner"
fi1m_id: "james-garner"
imdb_id: "nm0001258"
tmdb_id: 16896
wikidata_id: "Q108510"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "7 April 1928"
died: "19 July 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 3
updated: "2026-10-04T23:38:57.807650+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# James Garner

## Identity

James Garner

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-garner
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-garner
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001258
- **TMDB ID:** 16896
- **Wikidata ID:** Q108510
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Garner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108510, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001258/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16896

Actor and director. Born 7 April 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. Died 19 July 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 7 April 1928, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- **Died:** 19 July 2014
- **Active:** 1957–2004
- **Also known as:** James Scott Bumgarner , 占士加納, Джеймс Гарнер, جیمز گارنر, James Scott Garner 
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 4: 3 acting, 1 directing
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won · 2 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 3 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 82 (1), 1970s 83 (1), 1990s 64 (1), 2000s 74 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 62 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Adventure 2, Action 1, Comedy 1, Romance 1, War 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $310m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Garner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108510, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001258/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16896

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Great Escape*](https://film.one/film/the-great-escape.md) (82), [*Maverick*](https://film.one/film/maverick.md) (64)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Rockford Files*](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md) (83)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on James Garner

> James Garner makes capable men easy company, especially when they would rather talk their way out of trouble. We value his understated humour; the familiar persona is particularly effective in an ensemble that gives him other temperaments to work against.

In *The Great Escape* (1963), Garner makes Hendley's resourcefulness feel like something the other men can comfortably depend on. There is no smugness about being the useful one. We warmed to him because he makes competence companionable, without asking us to stop and admire it. That is the pleasure of his acting: he gives a capable man enough good humour to make us want his company. It is a modest-looking skill, and a considerable part of why this ensemble works.

John Sturges gives him good company in return. Steve McQueen's Hilts has the more conspicuous confidence, while Richard Attenborough's Bartlett supplies a seriousness Garner does not need to duplicate. Sturges keeps the men distinct even when the escape effort matters more than any single performance. Garner's understatement leaves space for both co-stars, without making Hendley any less recognisable. The film softens the hardships of captivity, a reservation worth keeping even while enjoying the company.

Television established that familiar figure with Bret Maverick in *Maverick* (1957–60), before the film work of *The Great Escape* and *The Americanization of Emily* (1964). The latter's battle-shy Charles E. Madison fits Garner's preference for men who would rather avoid a fight. Jim Rockford, the world-weary private investigator of *The Rockford Files* (1974–80), gave him a second major television success. Wit is usually his characters' first recourse. The relaxed delivery helps their reluctance seem reasonable rather than merely a comic excuse.

The limitation is familiarity: once we recognise the amiable reluctant hero, there is less surprise in meeting him again. Garner acknowledged the continuity himself: “If you look at Maverick and Rockford, they’re pretty much the same guy.” Later films, including *Space Cowboys* (2000) and *The Notebook* (2004), gave him supporting roles. For a first encounter, we would choose *The Great Escape*. Watch how comfortably he lets other men take the foreground.

## Biography

James Garner, born James Scott Bumgarner, was an American actor. He played Hendley 'The Scrounger' in the 1963 film *The Great Escape*.

He starred as Bret Maverick in the television series *Maverick* (1957–1960) and as Jim Rockford in *The Rockford Files* (1974–1980). His film roles include *The Americanization of Emily* (1964), *Grand Prix* (1966), *Victor/Victoria* (1982) and *Murphy's Romance* (1985), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also appeared in *Space Cowboys* (2000) and *The Notebook* (2004).

Garner was born on 7 April 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma, and died on 19 July 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

*Sources: britannica.com, en.wikipedia.org, biography.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

### Performed in (3) — the average rests on these

- *The Notebook* (2004), Fi1m 74, as Older Noah 'Duke' — [page](https://film.one/film/the-notebook.md)
- *Maverick* (1994), Fi1m 64, as Marshal Zane Cooper — [page](https://film.one/film/maverick.md)
- *The Great Escape* (1963), Fi1m 82, as Hendley 'The Scrounger' — [page](https://film.one/film/the-great-escape.md)

### Directed (1)

- *The Rockford Files* (1974), Fi1m 83, as Jim Rockford — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md)

## Complete filmography (103)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Disclosure* (2020), as King Marchand (archive footage)
- *Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam* (2010), as Shazam (voice)
- *DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection* (2010), as Shazam (segment "The Return of Black Adam") (voice)
- *Battle for Terra* (2007), as Doron (voice)
- *The Ultimate Gift* (2007), as Howard 'Red' Stevens
- *The Notebook* (2004), as Older Noah 'Duke' — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-notebook.md)
- *The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration* (2003), as Pat (voice)
- *8 Simple Rules* (2002), series, as Jim Egan
- *Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood* (2002), as Shep Walker
- *Roughing It* (2002), as Samuel Clemens
- *Roughing It* (2002), series, as Samuel Clemens
- *First Monday* (2002), series, as Thomas Brankin
- *Century of Country* (2002), series, Actor
- *The Unbeatable Bruce Lee* (2001), Actor
- *Atlantis: The Lost Empire* (2001), as Rourke (voice)
- *The Last Debate* (2000), as Mike Howley
- *Space Cowboys* (2000), as Tank Sullivan
- *God, the Devil and Bob* (2000), series, as God (voice)
- *One Special Night* (1999), as Robert Woodward
- *The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads* (1999), as Jim Rockford
- *Legalese* (1998), as Norman Keane
- *The Hidden Dimension* (1998), as Grandpa
- *Twilight* (1998), as Raymond Hope
- *The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda* (1997), as Jim Rockford
- *Dead Silence* (1997), as John Potter
- *My Fellow Americans* (1996), as President Matt Douglas
- *The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime* (1996), as Jim Rockford
- *The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play* (1996), as Jim Rockford
- *The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best* (1996), as Jim Rockford
- *The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits...* (1996), as Jim Rockford
- *Streets of Laredo* (1995), series, as Captain Woodrow Call
- *The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise* (1995), as Jim Rockford
- *The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A.* (1994), as Jim Rockford
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Hubert 'Hue' Miller
- *Maverick* (1994), as Marshal Zane Cooper — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/maverick.md)
- *Breathing Lessons* (1994), as Ira Moran
- *Barbarians at the Gate* (1993), as F. Ross Johnson
- *Fire in the Sky* (1993), as Frank Watters
- *The Distinguished Gentleman* (1992), as Jeff Johnson
- *HBO First Look* (1992), series, Actor
- *Man of the People* (1991), series, as Jim Doyle
- *Decoration Day* (1990), as Albert Sidney Finch
- *My Name Is Bill W.* (1989), as Dr. Robert Smith · Executive Producer
- *Sunset* (1988), as Wyatt Earp
- *Promise* (1986), as Bob Beuhler · Executive Producer
- *Murphy's Romance* (1985), as Murphy Jones
- *Space* (1985), series, as Norman Grant
- *The Glitter Dome* (1984), as Sgt. Aloysius Mackey
- *Heartsounds* (1984), as Harold Lear
- *Tank* (1984), as Zack
- *Lily for President?* (1982), as Bret Maverick
- *Victor/Victoria* (1982), as King Marchand
- *The Long Summer of George Adams* (1982), as George Adams
- *Bret Maverick* (1981), series, as Bret Maverick
- *The Fan* (1981), as Jake Berman
- *HealtH* (1980), as Harry Wolff
- *Off the Minnesota Strip* (1980), Executive Producer
- *The New Maverick* (1978), as Bret Maverick
- *Laugh-In* (1977), series, as Guest Performer (uncredited)
- *Scott Free* (1976), Executive Producer
- *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Jim Rockford · Director — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md)
- *The Castaway Cowboy* (1974), as Lincoln Costain
- *The Rockford Files: Backlash of the Hunter* (1974), as Jim Rockford
- *Sidekicks* (1974), Executive Producer
- *One Little Indian* (1973), as Keyes
- *They Only Kill Their Masters* (1972), as Abel Marsh
- *Skin Game* (1971), as Quincy Drew · Executive Producer
- *Nichols* (1971), series, as Sheriff Frank Nichols
- *Support Your Local Gunfighter* (1971), as Latigo · Executive Producer
- *A Man Called Sledge* (1970), as Luther Sledge
- *Marlowe* (1969), as Philip Marlowe · Executive Producer
- *Support Your Local Sheriff!* (1969), as Jason McCullough · Executive Producer
- *The Racing Scene* (1969), Producer
- *The Pink Jungle* (1968), as Ben Morris · Executive Producer
- *How Sweet It Is!* (1968), as Grif · Executive Producer
- *Hour of the Gun* (1967), as Marshal Wyatt Earp
- *Grand Prix* (1966), as Pete Aron · Executive Producer
- *Mister Buddwing* (1966), as Mister Buddwing · Executive Producer
- *Duel at Diablo* (1966), as Jess Remsberg · Producer
- *A Man Could Get Killed* (1966), as William Beddoes · Executive Producer
- *The Art of Love* (1965), as Casey Barnett · Producer
- *36 Hours* (1964), as Major Jefferson F. Pike · Executive Producer
- *The Americanization of Emily* (1964), as Lt. Commander Charles E. Madison
- *Move Over, Darling* (1963), as Nicholas Arden
- *The Wheeler Dealers* (1963), as Henry Tyroon
- *The Thrill of It All* (1963), as Gerald Boyer
- *The Great Escape* (1963), as Hendley 'The Scrounger' — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-great-escape.md)
- *Boys' Night Out* (1962), as Fred Williams
- *The Children's Hour* (1961), as Joe Cardin
- *Cash McCall* (1960), as Cash McCall
- *Whicker's World* (1959), series, Actor
- *Up Periscope* (1959), as Lt. J. G. Kenneth M. Braden
- *Darby's Rangers* (1958), as William Orlando Darby
- *Sayonara* (1957), as Capt. Mike Bailey
- *Maverick* (1957), series, as Bret Maverick
- *Sugarfoot* (1957), series, as Bret Maverick (uncredited)
- *Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend* (1957), as Sgt. John Maitland
- *The Girl He Left Behind* (1956), as Preston
- *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Lt. Jim Collins
- *Toward the Unknown* (1956), as Lt. Col. Joe Craven
- *Conflict* (1956), series, Actor
- *Cheyenne* (1955), series, as Lt. Brad Forsythe
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Bob, Ira Moran, Albert Sidney, Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith aka Dr. Bob

## Gallery

- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-d31b5f710a8c.jpg) James Garner — Warner Brothers Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/James_Garner_Bret_Maverick.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Advertising poster for the film The Americanization of Emily (1964).](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-05577072eabc.jpg) Advertising poster for the film The Americanization of Emily (1964). — Reynold Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Americanization_of_Emily_poster.jpg/1280px-Americanization_of_Emily_poster.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo of Bob Hope and James Garner rehearsing a skit for the television special The Bob Hope Buick Show.](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-1947648fcc3f.jpg) Photo of Bob Hope and James Garner rehearsing a skit for the television special The Bob Hope Buick Show. — Ursula Halloran & Associates (public relations firm)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Bob_Hope_James_Garner_1961.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Diane Brewster and James Garner from the television program Maverick. (1957)](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-fd40a022e8bb.jpg) Photo of Diane Brewster and James Garner from the television program Maverick. (1957) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Diane_Brewster_James_Garner_Maverick_1957.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-ca42c00696b7.jpg) James Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-bb0ba94d9e98.jpg) James Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-12f74da6338e.jpg) James Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![L'acteur américain James Garner lors du tournage du film Grand Prix, en 1966 à Royat (près du circuit de Charade).](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-698526793e41.jpg) L'acteur américain James Garner lors du tournage du film Grand Prix, en 1966 à Royat (près du circuit de Charade). — Robert Huhardeaux  (compte Flickr : Michel Huhardeaux), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/James_Garner%2C_1966%2C_Royat%2C_tournage_du_film_Grand_Prix.jpg/1280px-James_Garner%2C_1966%2C_Royat%2C_tournage_du_film_Grand_Prix.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Garner at the 39th Emmy Awards - Sept. 1987](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-18cf92759c86.jpg) James Garner at the 39th Emmy Awards - Sept. 1987 — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/James_Garner.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-873c58dc5d9c.jpg) James Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-0f149a67e1cd.jpg) James Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![James Garner](https://film.one/media/person/103620/gallery-a99c199ca4e9.jpg) James Garner — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1986: Best Actor (nominated), for *Murphy's Romance*

### Golden Globes — 1 won, 2 nominated

- 1985: Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Murphy's Romance*
- 1963: Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *The Wheeler Dealers*
- 1957: New Star of the Year – Actor (won), for *Sayonara*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won, 11 nominated

- 1994: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hallmark Hall of Fame*
- 1993: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Barbarians at the Gate*
- 1991: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hallmark Hall of Fame*
- 1989: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hallmark Hall of Fame*
- 1987: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hallmark Hall of Fame*
- 1985: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Heartsounds*
- 1982: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Bret Maverick*
- 1980: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *The Rockford Files*
- 1979: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *The Rockford Files*
- 1978: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *The Rockford Files*
- 1977: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *The Rockford Files*
- 1976: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *The Rockford Files*

### SAG Awards — 1 won, 4 nominated

- 2005: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (won)
- 2005: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (nominated), for *The Notebook*
- 1999: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated), for *Legalese*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated)
- 1995: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated)

### Other awards — 2 won, 1 nominated

- TCA Career Achievement Award 2010: TCA Career Achievement Award (won)
- TCA Career Achievement Award 2008: TCA Career Achievement Award (nominated)
- Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame 1978: Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/james-garner